September 5, 2025

In India, the excitement around Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is different this time! Huge posters of the new Infinity Castle Arc movie decorate big billboards. Cosplayers are busy stitching colourful haoris for Comic Cons, and theatres are ready for a flood of anime fans carrying plastic nichirin katanas. When the last movie, Mugen Train, released in 2021, fans in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore stood in long lines. Many watched anime in theatres for the first time! The crowd surprised the cinema owners, and the loud cheers inside shocked even the fans. Since then, anime has become more popular, and Demon Slayer is one of the biggest names. Demon Slayer tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a kind boy whose family is killed by demons. Only his sister Nezuko survives but is turned into a demon herself. Determined to save his sister and get revenge, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps. This group fights demons using special sword techniques connected to natural elements like water and fire. Together with his friends Inosuke and Zenitsu, and powerful warriors called Hashira, Tanjiro faces the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan. One star of the show is Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, voiced by veteran Japanese actor Takehiro Sakurai. He says, “I understand that he’s a cold-hearted person, but I didn’t think it was just that. I thought there was a story behind his background.” Sakurai has been a voice actor for almost 30 years, playing many heroes and villains. But Giyu in Demon Slayer is his most famous role worldwide. Giyu is cool and calm but has deep feelings inside. Sakurai says, “I wanted to keep the image of Giyu, but I wanted to make it feel like his heart was fluttering.” He worked hard to keep Giyu the same but let the character grow a little. This challenge made the role very interesting for him. The stunning animation by Ufotable makes Demon Slayer a visual treat. Their first movie, Mugen Train, broke many records as the highest-grossing anime film ever. The new Infinity Castle movie promises even bigger, mind-bending battles across different dimensions. Sakurai thinks the emotional power of Demon Slayer is in what is not said. He compares himself to Giyu’s Eleventh Form — Dead Calm. On screen, it is a sword technique where everything stops before a perfect strike. Off screen, Sakurai stays calm amid the crazy global fandom, letting his voice do the magic. He explains, “He’s a cool, not-expressing-himself-too-much type of character... but over time he starts to become someone who actually has a lot to say.” In the recording studio, Sakurai is like Giyu — quiet and focused. “I sit in the corner, so I think that’s similar,” he says. “I don’t need that much time to recover. When I’m done recording, I say, thank you for your hard work, and I go home.” The Demon Slayer world has grown huge, and for Indian fans, it means anime is no longer just a small niche but a big part of pop culture. Sakurai says, “I feel fortunate to have been part of this film. Being chosen through the audition and meeting this work has been very meaningful for me.” As the countdown to Infinity Castle begins on September 12, Indian fans get ready to enter an exciting new world of fierce demons, brave warriors, and stunning battles. For Sakurai, staying calm like the Water Hashira is key. And we can’t wait to see what magic Demon Slayer will unleash next!

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Demon slayer, Kimetsu no yaiba, Anime movie, Takehiro sakurai, Infinity castle, Indian anime fans,