The time has come! It feels like the world is a different place than it was when Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba made its anime debut. Believe it or not, season one closed at the end of 2019, and now the show is one of the biggest in anime. The industry went wild when word dropped Demon Slayer was coming to Anime Expo courtesy of Aniplex. Now, ComicBook.com is live on the scene bringing you up-to-date information on everything going down including comments from Tanjiro's Japanese voice actor, Natsuki Hanae.
Live Updates (15)
Hanae reacts to hearing the English dub of Tengen for the first time. It is and the actor was very surprised. Tengen is a shinobi and from a Japanese POV, he should not be flashy so the character is strange.
The guests offer a final message to fans. Takahashi says thanks to everyone and is excited to host an event for Demon Slayer at AX. He wants to see everyone here next year.
Hanae follows up. He says he will keep his schedule open for next year. The Actor had lots of fun with fans today. This is his first US trip and event so he wants to come back.
Takahashi talks about Ufotable and its best traits. The studio wants to create the best image possible whether it is in a film or TV series. The team now moves to the new season of Demon Slayer and the Swordsmith Village Arc.
Takahashi shares the goals for season three. All of the usual stuff to create the next steps are there with high animation. As Tanjiro grows, the story will too, and the team will do their best for fans. We will all enjoy the next episodes.
Hanae shares what he is looking forward to with the arc. He is excited to see two attractive Hashira. Tanjiro will do his best next season and hopes everyone looks forward to it.
Akari Kito appears in a video next. The actress says the Entertainment District got to let loose and have fun with Nezuko's demonic powers. The scene she remembers of Tanjiro and the lullaby definitely resonated with her while recording.
Hanae shares his best memories of acting with Akito. She is very friendly and takes care of his kids as she is good friends with Hanae's wife. But he has to say her message was short to the crowd. He hopes she will have more to say to fans soon.
Hanae talks about Gyutaro and his sister. It was a tough battle because demons don't often fight.
Takahashi is asked about highlights from the Entertainment District arc. The producer says the arc says Hanae gave a better performance than ever as did the whole cast.
Hanae is asked how he felt watching Gyutaro vs Tanjiro. He thought it was so cool but also croed which was a first. It was the first time all three heroes fought together which made Hanae excited.
Tengen is brought up as Hanae is asked about the Entertainment District arc as Tanjiro faces off with Gyutaro and his sister. Hanae is asked how it was performing this scene. He says Tanjiro is stronger than in Mugen Train, and that is apparent. This is because he inherited something from Rengoku.
Hanae then speaks about his new Hinokami Kagura move. The actor says he had to stop breathing ti make the move work which was interesting to act out. Tanjiro was definitely stronger here but his enemies do so as well. Hanae says they need to cut it out. Hanae saw a young girl dressed as Gyutaro's sister. The actor thinks he could maybe take them. Maybe.
Hanae is asked about the fans reacting to Mugen Train and the arc. Takahashi says he wants to thank each fan ever who saw it. The studio thinks only of fans because they are the best.
Takahashi goes by fans one by one in the front to thank them for watching Demon Slayer. He says Ufotable makes Demon Slayer for every fan here after asking everyone to shout out their names. So cute!
Hanae discusses working with Inosuke's actor. He is very passionate and his voice is so charismatic. He changes his voice like a chameleon. Hanae really wants a voice like that.
The group is now looking at Ufotable's work. The video shows the work it took for the Enma fight.
Hanae is asked what it is like to put on a gut-wrenching performance. The actor says he wants the scenes to be very real and comes at it on the first take. It is important to enunciate and speak even with the emotion.
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka comes on screen to talk about Inosuke. He talks about the fighter's final scene in Mugen Train. The boy was impressed by the power of the Hashira and wanted to learn so much more. He felt he could get stronger so his death is a significant loss. Grieving the death of someone is hard and Inosuke doesn't want to admit it is happening.
He comforts Tanjiro as a way to comfort himself. It is filled with confusion and uncertainty. Matsuoka says he is grateful for the anime's global fandom. The team wants to do them right as the anime continues.
Hanae talks about Tanjiro and Rengoku's final chat. The actor says he could not stop crying during the recording session or after. The voice actor for Rengoku is his senpai, so it felt very real like actual advice in real life. The emotions were very fitting for the scene. It was emotional and sad at the same time.
Takahashi is asked about the scene went in his view. The team could not defeat Akuza but you could feel his growth. Tanjiro could take on Enbu which gave Hanae a chance to show his full skills and grwoth as an actor.
Hanae soon is asked how it is to work with Shimono. The actor is hilarious apparently. Hanae says voice actors normally don't work out but Shimono would do push ups during break.
Hanae is asked about confronting Akuza after Rengoku and calling him a coward. The actor did not practice or prepare. He simply went into the scene and pushed his emotions forward based on how he felt. The scene was perfect on the first take.
Hiro Shimono, the actor behind Zenitsu, gives a special recorded message. He loved doing the proposal scene with Nezuko. He wanted to give his all when recording Nezuko from Inosuke because he understood how important the girl is to his friend. And when talking about Thunder Breathing, the actor says it is hard to act Zenitsu because he does not talk. He worked with ADR to find a way to monologue and made it under the breath to show he was unconscious.
As he brings out higher forms of Breathing, he gets louder to show how strong Zenitsu is getting and to differentiate for fans.
Takahashi talks about premiering this episode at Anime Expo years ago. He truly respected the staff for all the work they did.
Hanae talks about voicing the Hinokami Kagura for the first time. Hanae says every episode with Tanjiro finds him giving his all every second so the actor did too. His voice may get damaged but Hanae pushed like Tanjiro.
Hanae is asked about the scene Nezuko unlocks her secret blood powers. He says it is one of the most emotional because not only was Tanjiro trying to protect his sister but his family in reflection. Hanae tried to show the bond with Nezuko and his family.
Hanae talks about being at a Demon Slayer in the US for the first time. This is his first trip to America ever. It has been awhile since he has attended an event this big and heard fans so excited. Hanae has seen so many cosplayers out and sees how much US fans love Demon Slayer.
Aniplex looks back on Tanjiro's mission over the three years it has been around. Takahashi gives commentary on Tanjiro's viral moment in episode 19 so does Hanae. The actor says the episode was going to be an all out one from the beginning. The quality was outstanding. His mouth was agape at the animation.
Natsuki Hanae comes on stage. The crowd absolutely erupts on applause. He is followed by producer Yuma Takahashi. Hanae does several of Tanjiro's iconic lines before Takahashi greets the audience in English.
Yuma is asked about his last visit to AX in 2019. The director says many fans came but he thought they were in a smaller room. He is happy more people came this time. He thinks Demon Slayer has reached so many fans.