Demon Slayer, also known as Kimetsu no Yaiba, is one of the most successful series worldwide. The manga has always been beloved, but the anime adaptation truly elevated its fame to new heights. With stunning animation, meticulous production, and expert direction, Demon Slayer has captivated millions of fans globally.
As expected, the movie adaptations have also been huge hits. The Mugen Train film shattered box office records in Japan, and now the latest release, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 – Akaza’s Return, has surpassed all previous records once again.
The appeal of Kimetsu no Yaiba comes from many factors. First, the series was fortunate to have such outstanding animation that raised the intensity of battles and emotional moments. But animation alone wouldn’t have taken the series this far without a compelling story. Demon Slayer’s plot is straightforward but delivers breathtaking fights and heartfelt scenes that resonate deeply with viewers.
Much of this massive success is credited to Tanjiro Kamado, the main protagonist. However, fans might be surprised to learn that the creator of Demon Slayer once doubted how interesting Tanjiro would be.
Tanjiro Is Popular Now, But Creator Gotoge Once Had Doubts
Tanjiro Kamado is the beloved hero of Demon Slayer and the center of the story’s events. Surprisingly, Koyoharu Gotoge, the series’ creator, was unsure if readers would connect with Tanjiro. Gotoge thought Tanjiro was too ordinary and perhaps not very engaging.
These insights were shared by Gotoge’s editor Katayama in the book “The Making of a Jump Manga! Volume 5.”
Katayama explained: “Gotoge has an unintentional side and sometimes can’t objectively see his own strengths. Even with Tanjiro, he would say things like ‘He’s too ordinary, I can’t decide if he’s interesting,’ so I had to affirm that he was fine that way. There are qualities I thought were great, but Gotoge didn’t think much of them. That’s just how he is, so I had to make sure those interesting traits weren’t overlooked.”
This shows that although Tanjiro’s kind heart, strong will, and never-give-up spirit helped Demon Slayer win the hearts of millions, even his own creator had a surprisingly humble view of his character’s appeal. It also highlights Koyoharu Gotoge’s modesty and unique perspective during the creation of Demon Slayer.
Source: Gamerant