Answerman

Why is Demon Slayer so popular in Japan?

Lynzee asks:

“Why is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime and manga so popular in Japan?”

Demon Slayer is popular in Japan for the same reasons it is popular everywhere else, and that is a good thing because not many of my Japan-based anime industry friends wanted to comment either on or off the record with their opinions on why. Some either failed to respond in time for my print deadline, or had admitted to me that they either don't like Demon Slayer, or had never watched it. I need better “industry friends.”

It's OK, though, because I am ANSWERMAN and I have opinions on everything! Furthermore, there was no shortage of non-Japanese industry contacts from both the creative and commercial side of anime licensing, manga, and comics publishing who wanted to help me explain why this particular manga and anime series has become so culturally significant. The responses were illuminating, but most of all consistent in terms of describing what they believed were the key ingredients that have contributed to Demon Slayer's success.

When Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the manga series, debuted in 2016, some online critics dismissed it as "ugly" and not worth readers' time. Today, it stands as the 7th best-selling manga of all time with 220 million volumes sold, and one of the most popular anime series across multiple global and regional streaming and broadcast platforms. To top it all off, it has birthed the highest-grossing anime movie of all time with 2020's Mugen Train, and the newly released Infinity Castle Part 1, breaking all kinds of Japanese box office records since opening in July. So! What transformed this underestimated series into a global phenomenon that defines modern anime?

Demon Slayer is a Story That Breaks the Mold

"This isn't your typical predestined happy ending romantic adventure," explains my Japanese friend, and former Shueisha employee who witnessed the series' rise firsthand. "The story starts with an absurd massacre, and although Tanjiro is deep in despair, he's determined to save his precious younger sister." Unlike traditional shonen heroes pursuing grand ambitions, Tanjiro's motivation cuts deeper: family restoration in a world where "even the strongest heroes aren't guaranteed to survive."

This unpredictability revolutionized a genre known for telegraphing its punches. The series forces audiences to confront an uncomfortable truth: "our everyday challenges are not easy, and nothing is ever secure, but we can live our own lives for those most precious to us." Every character, including antagonists, receives genuine development that creates authentic emotional investment.

Cultural Pride Meets Universal Appeal

A European anime licensing expert identified the series's perfect timing. In 2016, Shonen Jump was saturated with Western-inspired fantasy, making Demon Slayer's traditional Japanese aesthetic revolutionary by standing apart. "It's a celebration of Japanese customs, dress, and culture," notes a US manga publisher founder, "which is a large part of its success."

While most anime awkwardly graft European aesthetics onto Japanese sensibilities, Demon Slayer embraces its cultural identity without apology. This authenticity creates immense pride among domestic fans while inspiring global audiences who recognize something genuinely different. The series brilliantly balances this cultural specificity with universal themes. "Compared to becoming the Hokage or Pirate King, his goal of restoring his sister's humanity is something readers of all ages can relate to," the licensing expert observed. Japan's family-focused culture provided an immediate emotional hook that fantasy epics couldn't match.

Exceptional Execution of Simple Concepts

"It's a textbook case of doing everything EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, and it starts with not overthinking the plot," declares the US-based manga publisher with characteristic bluntness. Anyone can explain Demon Slayer's premise in under a minute, no lengthy expositions about power systems or fictional geography required.

This simplicity masks sophisticated storytelling. The series hits all three core Jump values: friendship, effort, and victory, while grounding them in relatable human experience. A London-based comics writer and artist recognizes something crucial: "Tanjiro embodies the classic 'nekketsu' hero of 70s Shonen Jump. 'Hot-blooded' passion, compassion, strength, and rectitude."

In an era obsessed with morally ambiguous protagonists, Tanjiro's unwavering goodness feels revolutionary. "There is a serious lack of 'straight arrow' heroes in media nowadays," the artist notes. "Having a committed protagonist in a world of uncertainties is exactly what audiences are looking for."

The formula works because it's deceptively simple yet emotionally complex. Protagonists get “absolutely mauled” by demons, only to overcome their limits through determination and heart. Combined with ufotable's exceptional animation that gives real weight to every movement, these battles transcend mere action sequences.

The Secret Ingredient: Emotional Truth

Beyond strategic positioning and flawless execution lies Demon Slayer's true power, its mastery of pathos, the ability to evoke deep emotions of pity, sorrow, and compassion. The series taps into mono no aware (物の哀れ), a uniquely Japanese concept describing sensitivity to life's ephemeral nature, the bittersweet appreciation for beauty's transience. Every demon carries a tragic backstory that transforms monsters into former humans deserving empathy. This emotional authenticity reaches its devastating peak in episodes like "The Two Demons," where Tanjiro battles Susamaru and Yahaba. As Susamaru dies, she remembers her past self, a young girl who simply wanted to play with her temari balls. The moment breaks viewers' hearts while elevating the narrative beyond simple “good versus evil.”

At each battle's end, Tanjiro shows genuine pity for demons who, in their final moments, regain pieces of lost humanity. These scenes don't just advance the plot; they reveal profound emotional truths about compassion, loss, and what makes us human.

Demon Slayer succeeded because it arrived at the perfect moment with exceptional execution across every element, from storytelling and animation to cultural authenticity and emotional resonance. It proves that sometimes the most powerful stories are also the simplest: a boy who refuses to give up on saving his sister, in a world where even monsters deserve compassion.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle Part 1 comes to cinemas across North America, the UK, and Europe on September 12 courtesy of Aniplex, Sony Pictures, and Crunchyroll.

Do YOU have a question for the Answerman?

We'd love to answer your questions and especially encourage questions inspired by recent news and headlines. However, READ THIS FIRST:
● CHECK THE ARCHIVES. Over the years, we've answered THOUSANDS of questions and might have already answered yours!
● We cannot tell you if or when a show will get another season, nor can we help you get in touch with any producers, artists, creators, actors, or licensors.
● Only submit your question once.
● We take questions by email only. (Tweeted questions get ignored!)
● Please keep your questions within a paragraph length.
●The email address is [email protected].

Thank you!