Kyoto Inferno's strongest suite, like its predecessor, is in its choreography. It's able to invent moves that makes anime sword fight - with somersaults and slide running - looks convincing. Both in duel and large scale battle Kyoto Inferno succeed in imagining how swordsmen with super human abilities would cross their swords to each other. They even manage the tricky part with Himura vs Soujiro, a battle that relies heavily on speed. The film also has a very good casting choice, especially with Soujiro, which is a feat in itself if we're speaking of anime adaptation.

However, also just like its predecessor, the film is weak in its plot department. The pacing is a bit inconsistent and some scenes feel like rushed plot points. Same thing can be said with character development. There are so many characters introduced who lack enough time to grasp viewer's attention. Combine this two, and you get the Shinomori Aoshi subplot. His subplot sticks like a sore thumb especially so during the last 15 minutes of the film, with his arrival disturbing the whole tone.

It is unfortunate that, compared to the first film, Kyoto Inferno seems to opt with delving into the story and character's decision a little bit more. The story attempts to explore Himura's resolve of "not killing" - it plays big part in the course of the film - but because of its inconsistent pacing and rushed plot points, the dilemma of "what could've made Himura pushed the boundaries of killing" cannot be developed to its maximum potential.

Were the film focused more on the fights, where it excels the most, Kyoto Inferno could've easily been one of the most enjoyable action anime adaptation out there.