“KPop Demon Hunters” is a high-energy, high-concept supernatural action comedy from Sony Pictures Animation, known for successful films like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.” The film centers on Huntrix, a trio of ultra-talented K-pop girl band superstars — rebellious woldo-wielding Mira (May Hong), Burbank-raised rapper Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), and purple-braided orphan Rumi (Arden Cho) — who utilize their popularity to defend the mortal world from the demon king Gwi-Ma (Byung Hun Lee).

As part of their demon-slaying mission, Huntrix uses the love from their dedicated fans to construct a protective barrier known as the Golden Honmoon. However, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), one of Gwi-Ma’s tortured acolytes, devises a plan to form a rival K-pop group, the Saja Boys, with four other handsome demons. Their goal is to lure Huntrix’s fans to the dark side. An unexpected twist arises as Rumi and Jinu find an irresistible attraction to each other, leading to a human-demon rom-com subplot.

Despite a predictable romantic narrative, “KPop Demon Hunters” proves to be an entertaining animated offering, especially when compared to Pixar’s “Elio,” which released on the same day. Co-directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang employ an unapologetically silly premise to unleash a playfully unique approach to computer animation. The creative team draws inspiration from webtoons and manhwa (Korean graphic novels), focusing on dynamic silhouettes and lively key poses rather than smooth in-between movement. This stylistic choice, reminiscent of older animated series like “Speed Racer,” gives the film a distinctively Asian aesthetic, enhanced by charming comic-book touches, such as characters' pupils transforming into puffy red hearts or Zoey’s eyes changing to six-pack abs and buttery corncobs when she sees the Saja Boys.

The film’s violence is visually appealing; the trio’s phosphorescent pink weapons slice cleanly through demons, causing them to explode into bursts of confetti. More intense actions, like demons sucking souls, are implied rather than explicitly shown to maintain a PG rating. The movie efficiently moves through its exposition-heavy first act, revealing Rumi’s secret within 15 minutes: she is the hybrid daughter of a pop-singer mom and a demon dad, bearing the same purple markings as the spirits she hunts. Only Huntrix’s trusted trainer, Celine (Yunjin Kim), knows Rumi’s hybrid status and believes she can control her demon genes, unaware of Rumi's burgeoning feelings for Jinu, who also harbors secrets.

While a subplot about Rumi’s voice issues doesn't fully land, it allows for enjoyable character moments, including an action-packed spa trip and a short staycation with bubble tea and bingsu. The film also features adorable animal sidekicks, a grinning tiger demon and a black bird in a tiny gat (hat), designed to evoke Korean folklore. Given its K-pop setting, original music and catchy choreography are essential. The macaronic soundtrack, blending English and Korean lyrics by A-list music producers, includes three hits for Huntrix: “How It’s Done,” “Golden,” and “Takedown,” with the latter covered by Twice. A standout duet, “Free,” performed by Ejae (Rumi’s singing voice) and Andrew Choi (Jinu’s singing voice), further highlights the film’s musical aspect, making it a genre-hopping experience where audiences might find themselves singing along.