Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, which opened in theaters nationwide on Friday, July 18, 2025, continues to captivate audiences.
If you have ever been to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or a "Sing-Along" version of Frozen, you have experienced a glimpse of Japan’s Oen Jouei (応援上映)—literally translated as a "Cheer Screening."
While standard Japanese cinema etiquette demands total silence, Cheer Screenings flip the script. For the release of Infinity Castle, theaters across Japan transformed into high-energy stadiums where the boundary between the screen and the audience vanished.
On Sunday, December 21st, ahead of the official cheer screening launch on December 28th (Sunday), the world's first cheer screening and opening event for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle was held at theaters across the country! Here's a full report on the event, which featured a surprise appearance by Hiro Shimono (voice of Zenitsu Agatsuma), producer Yuma Takahashi, and mini corps members Nezuko and Inosuke.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Cheer Screening Opening Ceremony Official Report
Nearly five months since its release, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, which continues to play in theaters to critical acclaim, has announced its first-ever cheer screening. Starting Sunday, December 28th, this special screening format will be available at theaters nationwide.
Prior to the nationwide rollout, the world's first cheer screening and opening event was held. Following an introduction by MC and producer Yuma Takahashi, Hiro Shimono, voice of Zenitsu Agatsuma, took the stage to thunderous applause.
"I'm Hiro Shimono, voice of Zenitsu Agatsuma! Thank you for having me!" he greeted the crowd in a characteristically loud voice reminiscent of Zenitsu himself, beaming with joy.
Following the Mugen Train Arc, this event marks the first opportunity for fans to enjoy Infinity Castle in a "cheer screening" format.
When asked about the cheer screening format, Shimono explained: "Everyone cheers for the characters, shouting things like 'Go!' or 'I love you!', right? I've never actually been to a cheer screening myself, but I imagine some people use the chaos to sneak in confessions!" His humorous take drew laughter from the audience.
He continued, sharing what he would do if he attended a cheer screening: "I'd love to cheer during Zenitsu's scenes, but it feels a bit embarrassing to cheer for myself, so I'd probably shout things like 'Inosuke, be yourself!' or 'Nezuko, you can do it!' and support the other characters instead! For Zenitsu, I think I'd quietly whisper 'You can do it, you can do it, you can do it...' (laughs). With Tanjiro and Giyu, things move so fast I'd probably wonder 'Who should I cheer for?!'" His enthusiastic response had the crowd hanging on every word.
Suddenly, the MC made an unexpected announcement: in recognition of his long service voicing Zenitsu and his role as Cheer Captain, Shimono would be appointed not as a festival god, but as the God of Shouting! Though surprised by the sudden turn, Shimono played along with gusto, declaring powerfully: "I am the God of Shouting!"
Next came a video presentation on "Cheer Screening Etiquette" to help everyone learn how to make the most of the experience.
The instruction began with guidance on "vocal cheering." As Shimono demonstrated a call-and-response by shouting "Nezuko-chan!" to the audience, mini corps member Nezuko made a surprise appearance, as if responding to his call. The unexpected guest sent the venue into rapturous cheers.
Next came instruction on "glow sticks, fans, and other cheering goods." Following Shimono's rallying cry of "Inosuke!", mini corps member Inosuke rushed in, clutching his own cheering goods.
Shimono demonstrated leadership by teaching the two mini corps members how to wave their goods while being considerate of those around them. With these reliable companions assembled, the group proceeded to practice cheering along with actual footage from the film. With Shimono leading the way, the entire venue united in vocal support during this rehearsal, generating heat rivaling the real thing.
It was also announced that the cheer screening would feature a "Kasugai Crows Cheer Guide" accessible via smartphone app.
At the event's conclusion, Shimono shared his personal philosophy on cheer screenings with both the day's audience and fans nationwide who would attend future screenings: "A cheer screening is all about having fun together—shouting, waving glow sticks and goods—while being considerate and making it an enjoyable experience for everyone. That said, I hope you'll really get into it and not be shy about cheering at the top of your lungs. Feel free to support whichever character you like, but personally, during scenes where Zenitsu is working hard, I'd be thrilled if you'd shout 'So cool!!' loud enough to compete with the sound effects and music! Everyone, please enjoy the cheer screening!" His message was delivered with his signature humor.
He also noted with a smile that the nationwide cheer screening launch date coincidentally falls on Nezuko's birthday (December 28th), and the event closed on a high note with sustained enthusiasm.
Event Details
■Date: Sunday, December 21st
■Location: TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro Screen 6 (1-18-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan)
■Guests: Hiro Shimono, Mini Corps Members Nezuko & Inosuke (*surprise appearances)
■MC: Yuma Takahashi (Producer)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Film Information
Synopsis
Tanjiro Kamado joined the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps with a singular, desperate goal: to find a way to return his sister, Nezuko, to her human form after she was transformed into a demon.C)Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable
Synopsis
Tanjiro Kamado joined the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps with a singular, desperate goal: to find a way to return his sister, Nezuko, to her human form after she was transformed into a demon.
Alongside his fellow warriors, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, Tanjiro has faced a gauntlet of terrifying demons, forging unbreakable bonds of friendship and growing in strength with every encounter. His journey has led him to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the Hashira—the highest-ranking elite swordsmen of the Corps. Together, they have survived the desperate struggle of the "Mugen Train" with the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku; the flashy peril of the "Entertainment District" with the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui; and the fierce onslaught at the "Swordsmith Village" with the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, and the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
Now, as the Corps undergoes the grueling "Hashira Training" to prepare for the inevitable final conflict, the unthinkable happens: Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of all demons, strikes at the heart of the Corps by appearing at the Ubuyashiki Mansion. Though Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to protect their master, they are ensnared by Muzan’s trap and cast into a shifting, mysterious dimension.
Tanjiro and his allies plummet into the dark heart of the demon stronghold: The Infinity Castle. The curtains rise, and the final, decisive battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons begins.
Cast
Tanjiro Kamado: Natsuki Hanae
Nezuko Kamado: Akari Kito
Zenitsu Agatsuma: Hiro Shimono
Inosuke Hashibira: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Kanao Tsuyuri: Reina Ueda
Genya Shinazugawa: Nobuhiko Okamoto
Giyu Tomioka: Takahiro Sakurai
Tengen Uzui: Katsuyuki Konishi
Muichiro Tokito: Kengo Kawanishi
Shinobu Kocho: Saori Hayami
Mitsuri Kanroji: Kana Hanazawa
Obanai Iguro: Kenichi Suzumura
Sanemi Shinazugawa: Tomokazu Seki
Gyomei Himejima: Tomokazu Sugita
Akaza (Upper Rank Three): Akira Ishida
Doma (Upper Rank Two): Mamoru Miyano
Kaigaku: Yoshimasa Hosoya
Keizo: Yuichi Nakamura
Koyuki: Lynn
(C)Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
