A stage greeting to commemorate the release of the new film version of " Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1 - Akaza Returns," based on the popular manga by Koyoharu Gotouge , was held at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) on August 17th, with Saori Hayami , who plays Shinobu Kocho , and Reina Ueda , who plays Kanao Tsuyuri , taking to the stage. The two, who play characters in a master-disciple relationship between master and "stepdaughter," revealed behind-the-scenes details from the recording.
Hayami smiled and said, "I feel very emotional, and I think it's really a precious opportunity for us to appear on stage together like this, and I'm very happy!" Ueda also said, "I'm really happy too! I think the fact that the day has come where I can stand on stage as Kanao is proof that the relationship of trust between Shinobu and Kanao has grown even stronger as the story has progressed, and I feel very emotional about it."
After watching the first chapter, Hayami commented, "The 2 hours and 35 minutes went by so quickly I didn't even notice the running time. I had this emotional feeling, like the thoughts of so many people were penetrating the screen and piercing my heart, and before I knew it, the end credits were rolling." When asked about the most memorable scene other than the one she played, she replied, "There are many, but it's Akaza's story." Ueda passionately shared, "When I saw the end credits, I was in tears and couldn't see what was ahead. The reason I was in tears was because I felt like my heart was being crushed by the thought that Kanao would soon be facing demons, and what she should do. I was also moved by the sense that everyone's thoughts, not just Shinobu and Kanao, were connected, including those who weren't fighting in the Infinity Castle."
The first chapter depicts the battle between Shinobu and Douma. Hayami commented on her feelings at the time of recording, saying, "I think Shinobu has always lived her life wearing the feelings of her older sister (Kanae Kocho). The strong and active part of Shinobu that she originally possessed was something she had kept hidden and nurtured by wearing the haori of her older sister. But when she met Douma, instead of gradually rising, she thought, 'There's more to it than this.' She felt that 'What this person is carrying is not just this.'" The presence of the three sisters seemed particularly important to Hayami, as she recalled, "During the recording, I felt reassured because my family was with me today."
Speaking to Hayami during the recording, Ueda said, "The length of time and weight that Shinobu has been thinking about up until now overlaps with what Saori has been thinking about, and it felt very convincing." He added, "The energy was really high, and the air was electric, and I could feel it in the dubbing booth, just like Shinobu. I also thought I had never heard Shinobu with such a voice tone, and it was both cool and beautiful, and you could really feel her determination."
Regarding her older sister, Kocho Kanae, Hayami said, "When Kayano (Ai), who plays Kanae, was recording next to me, she said, 'Stand up!' in a stronger voice (than I had expected), and I felt the blood flowing through my body as we were recording. I felt that this was the strength of Kocho Kanae, and I think my sister knew everything when she said that, and I felt like she really grabbed my heart."
At the event, a letter arrived from Kayano, who plays Kocho Kanae. "Hello, Hayamin, Pon-chan, and everyone who came to the theater! Thank you for always supporting the work and my sisters. I should be expressing my gratitude to you all in person, but I apologize for greeting you through a letter. For those who just saw the movie, what did you think? I also watched it at the cinema just the other day, and the way the characters live their lives - Shinobu, Kanao, the Pillars, and the Demon Slaying Corps - all of them - really struck me, and I was moved to tears again and again. As someone who plays Kanae, I found myself staring at the screen so intently during Shinobu's scenes that I couldn't breathe properly, and my clenched fists hurt... I remembered Hayamin's soulful cry echoing through the studio during recording, and Pon-chan's aura, trembling as she was, burning it into my mind, as if she were about to burst with rage at any moment, and I felt a warm feeling again. It was as if my thoughts were rising. Although the time I was able to live as Kanae on screen was very short, watching this film I felt that the time the sisters had lived was certainly there. And once again, I am happy to have been able to take part in such a wonderful, moving production. It would be wonderful if one day all three sisters could get together and talk about the film. I imagine the hot weather is still continuing. Please take care of yourselves, everyone," the warm message read, and both Hayami and Ueda seemed deeply moved.
The fourth key visual depicting the battle between Shinobu and Douma was unveiled at the venue, with Hayami excitedly praising it, saying, "I feel like the strength I saw in the video is all packed into this one image!"
Finally, Ueda tearfully shared her thoughts, saying, "I've always wanted (Shinobu) not to fight, and for her to be happy and laugh forever, but I also had a very strong desire to respect her feelings and protect her, so I struggled a lot with the recording of this movie. But seeing Shinobu fighting with such strength and determination...I would be more than happy if Shinobu's feelings were conveyed to everyone. I hope that you will continue to enjoy ' Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba', and I would be happy if you watch it a lot and have your hearts moved. Thank you for today!"
Hayami said, "I am very happy that so many people have been able to experience this film since its release. Shinobu's feelings are packed into this screen, and that is why I hope that people will feel it again and again in the theater. I myself would like to continue pouring my heart into ' Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba'. I would be happy if you would continue to cheer on the story as it continues from here, saying 'Do your best!' I look forward to your continued support! Thank you very much!"
"Chapter 1: Akaza Returns," part of the "Infinity Castle Arc, was released on July 18th in 452 theaters, surpassing "Mugen Train," which was released in 2020 and set the record for highest box office revenue in Japan of all time, grossing approximately 40.4 billion yen. In the three days since its release, it has made a huge hit, grossing approximately 5.52 billion yen and attracting approximately 3.84 million viewers, surpassing "Mugen Train." In the 31 days since its release, it has made a huge hit, grossing 25.782 billion yen and attracting over 18.27 million viewers.
"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kimetsu no Yaiba" tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, whose family was killed by demons, who joins the Demon Slaying Corps in order to turn his sister Nezuko, who has turned into a demon, back into a human. The original manga was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha) from 2016 to 2020. The total number of copies of the manga sold worldwide is over 220 million. The TV anime "Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc" aired from April to September 2019, and the movie "Mugen Train" was released in October 2020. The "Entertainment District Arc" aired from December 2021 to February 2022, the "Swordsmith Village Arc" from April to June 2023, and the "Hashira Training Arc" from May to June 2024.
