After a legendary theatrical run that began on July 18, 2025, and finally drew to a close on April 9, 2026, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I (Akaza Returns) is finally coming to your home. To celebrate the upcoming Blu-ray and DVD release on July 29, a special stage greeting was held at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya, Tokyo, on Saturday, July 25. Natsuki Hanae (voice of Tanjiro Kamado) and Takumi Yamazaki (voice of Kasugai Crow) took the stage to share their passion for the film with a packed house of fans.
<The following content is quoted from the official announcement>
Celebrating the Blu-ray & DVD Release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I! Official Stage Greeting Report
The event kicked off with a lively narrated skit featuring Tanjiro Kamado and his ever-faithful Kasugai Crow. As the banter concluded, Natsuki Hanae and Takumi Yamazaki stepped onto the stage to thunderous applause.
"Welcome, everyone! I’m hoping we can have a high-energy chat today, so thank you for having us!" Hanae greeted the crowd.
Yamazaki followed up with, "I hope you all enjoy yourselves today. It’s a pleasure to be here!" The energy in the room was electric from the very first second.
While the two characters have shared many missions since the Kasugai Crow first appeared in Episode 5 of the Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc, this event marked the first time the two voice actors have appeared together on stage.
For Yamazaki, this was his first Demon Slayer event since the "Kasugai Crow Assembly" stage greeting back in September 2025. When asked how it felt to be back, Yamazaki beamed, saying, "I’m just so happy to be here!"
Hanae added with a smile, "You can really feel Takumi-san’s love for Demon Slayer whenever we’re in the studio. He’s always talking about the series with me, so I’ve been looking forward to today."
The event then moved into a Q&A session with questions submitted by the audience. The first question touched on the transition from the big screen to the living room: "The cinema screen is amazing, but watching the Blu-ray at home offers a different kind of fun. How do you two plan to enjoy the home release?"
Hanae highlighted the technical appreciation: "For me, it’s all about the frame-by-frame playback. The action scenes are just so incredibly cool. I want to see things like, 'What kind of expression does Giyu have in this split second?' or 'How exactly is that movement being executed?' You can really scrutinize the details. The animation quality is breathtaking in every single scene, so I hope everyone looks for those fine details."
Yamazaki shared his own home setup: "I’ve actually optimized my home—big TV, sound system, and lighting—specifically for watching movies. I’m ready to hear those 'Caw!' sounds in high fidelity! Unlike the theater, I’m going to dive into the experience all by myself and just get totally absorbed in it."
The next question dug into the emotional core of the film: "The scene near the end where the Kasugai Crow speaks to Tanjiro was deeply moving. Yamazaki-san, what was going through your mind during that performance, and Hanae-san, how did that moment feel to you?"
Yamazaki reflected on the gravity of the scene: "I was so happy they entrusted the Crow with such an important line. I remember recording it feeling the weight of that responsibility. I put all my heart into the feeling of 'We’re moving on to the next chapter!'"
Hanae agreed, noting the shift in tone: "Most of the Crow's 'orders' throughout the series have a bit of a comedic touch, but that specific moment felt so sincere and serious. It really made me tear up."
The spotlight then shifted to Yamazaki with a heartfelt fan question: "Regarding the 'Kasugai Crow Cheer Guide' (the special audio commentary for the interactive cheer screenings), were there any specific moments you poured extra effort into or that really stuck with you? Hearing Matsuemon’s encouragement actually made me get a little choked up, and I had a blast shouting out the different Breathing Styles along with you!"
Yamazaki answered by revealing just how much soul he put into the role. "The script was incredibly dense, and because the goal was to keep the audience's energy at a peak, I was absolutely wiped out by the time we finished," he recalled, describing the sheer intensity required to lead a theater full of fans.
Even Hanae was blown away by the sheer passion in the recordings. "It was such a fantastic guide for the cheer screenings," Hanae praised. "It really amps up that collective hype, making you feel like, 'Yeah! Let's all take down Muzan Kibutsuji together!'"
When asked about how he developed the character of Matsuemon, Yamazaki recalled, "At first, I just thought, 'If a crow spoke human language, what would it sound like?' But during the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc, he speaks to Tanjiro from a close range for the first time. I think that’s when I finally settled on how the Crow should be played."
The conversation then turned to Tanjiro's character development. When asked about Tanjiro’s "growth" versus the "unchanging" parts of his soul, Hanae gave a poignant response: "Regarding growth, looking at how Tanjiro started—only able to beg Giyu for mercy—to now, where he is fighting back-to-back with Giyu as an equal... you can really see the results of his hard work. That alone makes me emotional. As for what hasn't changed, his motivation is still his family and fighting for those he loves. That consistency is his greatest strength and his most charming trait."
Yamazaki added his perspective as a viewer: "Tanjiro’s core is absolutely unshakable. I’ve been watching the full series reruns currently airing on TV, and even back in Unwavering Resolve Arc, he has that same core that leads directly into the Infinity Castle Arc. Though, it is quite nostalgic to see his mark looking more like a simple burn scar back then."
Hanae chimed in, "His compassion never wavers either. It’s because he is kind to others that he is able to become so strong."
Finally, the duo was asked how they would recommend the series to a friend who hasn't seen it yet. Hanae suggested a subtle approach: "Rather than explaining it, maybe just have it playing in the background while you’re hanging out? Let the visuals do the talking."
Yamazaki laughed in agreement, "Exactly! Just put it on!"Hanae then offered a more traditional pitch: "The heart of this series is the 'connection of feelings.' I’d tell them that they are guaranteed to find at least one character they can truly empathize with."
As the event drew to a close, the guests left the audience with final messages.
Yamazaki: "Starting next week, you can finally enjoy this film at home. Thank you all for coming today!"
Hanae: "I know many of you went to see this in theaters multiple times. Please continue to support Tanjiro and the others by watching it again and again at home. Their battle is far from over, so please, keep your 'Total Concentration' and continue to cheer us on. Thank you so much for today!"
The event ended on a high note, with the audience sending the actors off with a massive round of applause.
About "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I (Akaza Returns)"
©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
Synopsis
Tanjiro Kamado - a boy who joined an organization dedicated to hunting down demons called the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko was turned into a demon.
While growing stronger and deepening his friendships and bonds with fellow corps members, Tanjiro has battled many demons with his comrades, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira.
Along the way, his journey has led him to fight alongside the Demon Slayer Corps' highest-ranking swordsmen, the Hashira, including Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku aboard the Mugen Train, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui within the Entertainment District, as well as Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji at the Swordsmith Village.
As the Demon Slayer Corps members and Hashira engaged in a group strength training program, the Hashira Training, in preparation for the forthcoming battle against the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji appears at the Ubuyashiki Mansion. With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji.
The destination of where Tanjiro and Demon Slayer Corps have fallen is the demons' stronghold - the Infinity Castle.
And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the Demons ignites.
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
©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
★Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Official Site
★Official X (Twitter) : @kimetsu_off
(Recommended Hashtag: #鬼滅の刃)
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
