ANN’s protection of Anime Expo 2024 sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press!
© Koyoharu Gotoge/Shueisha/Aniplex/ufotable
Is there a hotter dwelling than Demon slayer proper now? It positively involves thoughts while you attempt to consider what’s fashionable proper now. Judging by the vitality within the Foremost Occasions Corridor at AX this 12 months, Demon slayer it seems to be like he’s sitting comfortably on the throne.
The panel started with a video clip, displaying moments from the just lately concluded Hashira Coaching Arc. To say the viewers was enthusiastic could be an understatement. I’ve hardly ever been to a panel the place the viewers reacted so enthusiastically to every character’s look.
When the video ended, the company got here onto the stage to equally deafening applause. Natsuki Hanaevoice of Tanjiro, Takahiro Sakuraivoice of Giyu, and Yuma Takahashiproducer of Aniplex.
Hanae-san will get the viewers excited straight away with a name and response of “Demon” (viewers) “Slayer”. This goes on for a number of seconds…
Hanae-san: Demon! Crowd: Killer!
Hanae-san: Demon! Crowd: Killer!
Hanae-san: Demon! Crowd: Killer!
Hanae-san passes the microphone to Sakurai-san, who belts out a Giyu phrase to loud cheers.
Then the mic goes to Takahashi-san. “Did you benefit from the Hashira Coaching Arc?” The viewers roars. He asks if the viewers is happy concerning the announcement of the movie trilogy, and so they reply in sort. “Me too!” he chuckles.
The occasion is being billed because the Fifth Anniversary Particular Occasion, and in some ways it feels particular. The panel comes at a time when the collection is reaching its climax. Between the just lately concluded Hashira Coaching Arc and the announcement that the collection would finish with a climactic trilogy of movies, it feels just like the fandom has simply reached the final camp earlier than reaching the best peaks of a mountain vary. They’ve devoured the newest arc with gusto, and their pleasure for extra is palpable. Not each Demon slayer fan on this planet could also be right here, however for the fortunate few on this room, this can be a likelihood to let a few of that excited vitality move freely.
And it is POWERFUL!
They ask the company about their impressions of Anime expo. It is Hanae-san’s third time right here. “It looks like dwelling now.” He is clearly been warmly welcomed! For Sakurai-san, it is his first time at AX. It is a new expertise for him, however “it felt like dwelling once I arrived.”
Takahashi-san has been to AX a number of occasions now. When requested if he can share how he feels now in comparison with AX 2019, he solutions that not a lot has modified, however “the one factor that continues to be fixed is that the animation workers is working laborious to show the manga into the absolute best anime.”
The host asks Hanae-san what the recording of the very first episode of Demon slayer was like. His reply is severe at first. “Ahh, I bear in mind it properly. For these episodes, I bear in mind there weren’t that many forged members for the primary episodes, and I bear in mind sitting in a giant room with only a few of us…” It takes a foolish flip: “I used to be actually nervous, and I bear in mind Tanjiro was in tears, after which Sakurai-san gave me encouragement.”
Sakurai-san joins the dialog in disbelief. “Severely?”
Hanae-san laughs. “Haha, no, that’s a joke, but it surely was a extremely particular second.”
Takahashi-san takes a second to acknowledge the standard of the animation. “It is a very fastidiously drawn collection. The animation workers goes to nice lengths to undergo the manga panel by panel to breed the collection in anime type.”
You would be hard-pressed to seek out anybody who would argue that the present is not lovely. It often delivers beautiful visuals and so they’ve clearly put their coronary heart and soul into it.
The viewers is handled to a reside studying by the voice actors, who each recite some nice strains from the present. The viewers laps it up, after which Takahashi-san jokes: “How a lot do I’ve to pay them to do this?”
They briefly contact on the Hashira Coaching Arc, and Hanae-san displays on how powerful the coaching seems to be. “That coaching is admittedly powerful, so I wish to give Tanjiro a shout out for getting by means of it.” It definitely looks as if you may want some severe muscle to get by means of it, “however ultimately, it is the center that counts.”
Takahashi-san briefly asks the viewers who their favourite Hashira is. “I am counting down from 3, after which I need you to scream!”
3… 2… 1…
The viewers’s response is unattainable to know, however what is obvious is the eagerness they really feel for his or her favorites.
The screams die down after a number of moments and you’ll nonetheless hear some additional passionate followers faithfully shouting “GIYUUUUUU”. Takahashi-san seems to be elated.
They then shared a video message from Hiro ShimonoZenitsu Agatsuma’s voice. He sang all of it out and the viewers discovered it charming. The vibes have been good!
Then got here a video message from Toshihiko Sekithe voice of Muzan Kibutsuji. He was sharply dressed and after thanking the followers, he launched a trailer for Fortress of Infinitythe primary a part of the upcoming movie trilogy.
Let me inform you: Everybody went completely nuts. The looks of every character within the trailer introduced out a brand new wave of cheers, every louder than the final, ending with Tanjiro, whose viewers reacted wildly.
It was all BEAUTIFUL.
After the thrill had died down, the panel turned to Demon slayer Candy The Boarda digital board sport that appears a bit like Mario social gatheringIt was a pointy flip from the toughness of the Infinity Fortress Arc to characters working round and enjoying mini-games, however audiences have been captivated nonetheless.
Apparently Hanae-san has been posting movies of himself enjoying the sport together with his family and friends on YouTube. That feels like a enjoyable time. What may very well be extra enjoyable than getting a really feel for what the sport is like by listening to Tanjiro’s personal voice display it?
Because the panel dialogue drew to a detailed, the voice actors shared a number of parting phrases.
Sakurai-san expresses his honest gratitude for the followers’ assist, including, “Giyu retains saying, ‘I am hated, I am hated.’ And because of you, we will say that is not the case.”
Hanae-san caps the panel. “Thanks a lot for coming in the present day. Tanjiro means quite a bit to me, so thanks to your vitality. I hope everybody can preserve cheering us on Demon slayer.”
