The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” from Sony Pictures Animation is a high-energy, high-concept supernatural action comedy that ingeniously blends the global phenomenon of K-pop with a fantastical narrative. The story centers on Huntrix, a trio of exceptionally talented girl band superstars who secretly operate as supernatural protectors. They harness their immense popularity and the dedication of their fans to defend the mortal world from the malevolent demon king Gwi-Ma, voiced by Byung Hun Lee. The band members include Mira (May Hong), a rebellious woldo-wielding warrior; Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), a Burbank-raised rapper; and Rumi (Arden Cho), a purple-braided orphan. Together, they represent a formidable triple threat, excelling in singing, dancing, and demon slaying. Their unique defense mechanism involves channeling the love from their fans to construct the Golden Honmoon, a powerful barrier designed to permanently block demonic incursions.

However, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), one of the demon king's most tortured acolytes, devises a cunning plan. Along with four other strikingly handsome fellow demons, he forms a rival K-pop group called the Saja Boys, whose sole purpose is to lure Huntrix's devoted fanbase to the dark side. A central romantic comedy plot unfolds as Jinu and Rumi find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other, leading to a human-demon romance. Despite its somewhat predictable romantic arc, “KPop Demon Hunters” distinguishes itself as the more entertaining animated offering when compared to Pixar’s “Elio,” which coincidentally premiered on the same day. This success is largely attributable to co-directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang’s unapologetically silly premise, which allowed for an exceptionally playful and innovative approach to computer animation.

The creative team drew significant inspiration from webtoons and manhwa, Korean graphic novels, which is evident in the film’s distinct visual style. This approach prioritizes dynamic silhouettes and lively key poses, where characters snap into and hold expressive positions as the camera fluidly moves around them, rather than focusing on smooth in-between movements. This technique, reminiscent of early animated series like “Speed Racer” and “The Powerpuff Girls” that utilized it as a cost-saving measure, imbues “KPop Demon Hunters” with a distinctly Asian aesthetic. Further enhancing this style are charming comic-book flourishes, such as the visual gag of Huntrix’s pupils morphing into puffy red hearts upon their first glimpse of the Saja Boys, and Zoey’s eyes humorously transforming into six-pack abs or buttery corncobs in reaction to the guys’ physiques. The film’s portrayal of violence is equally visually appealing, with the trio’s phosphorescent pink weapons slicing cleanly through demons—easily identified by jagged purple markings on their zombie-like skin—causing them to explode into bursts of confetti. Later, demons swarm through a rift in the Honmoon, galloping on all fours like Gollums, implying they suck souls from nearby humans in a manner suitable for the film’s PG rating.

The narrative moves swiftly, blazing through an exposition-heavy first act in less than 15 minutes. Early in the film, a pivotal secret about Rumi is revealed: she is the daughter of a pop-singer mother and a demon father, bearing the same distinctive purple imprints as the very spirits she is sworn to eradicate. Only Huntrix’s trusted trainer, Celine (Yunjin Kim), is aware of Rumi’s hybrid status, believing she can keep her demon genes in check. However, Celine did not foresee Rumi falling for a “bad boy” like Jinu, who also harbors his own secrets. While a subplot concerning Rumi’s voice issues doesn’t entirely land, it does provide opportune moments for character development and fun sequences, including an action-packed spa visit and a short-lived staycation complete with bubble tea and bingsu. The movie also features adorable animal sidekicks, including a grinning tiger demon and a black bird in a tiny gat (hat), both designed to evoke Korean folklore.

A crucial aspect of a K-pop-centric film is its music and choreography. The filmmakers faced the challenge of creating original, catchy tunes and distinctive dance routines to elevate the film beyond older shows like “Josie and the Pussy Cats.” The macaronic soundtrack, a blend of English and Korean lyrics, was compiled by A-list music producers and features three standout hits for Huntrix, performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami: “How It’s Done,” “Golden,” and “Takedown” (the latter covered by Twice in the end credits). Even more impressive is “Free,” a powerful duet between Ejae and Andrew Choi, who provide the singing voices for Rumi and Jinu, respectively. The nimble and genre-hopping nature of “KPop Demon Hunters” ensures that its K-pop setting feels organic, with viewers likely to find themselves singing along, sometimes without even realizing they are watching a musical.