The recent incident involving a Japanese broadcast of the latest Demon Slayer episode highlighted the immense dedication of the anime’s fanbase. During the airing, two news reports interrupted the episode, one regarding an earthquake and the other announcing the outcome of a gubernatorial election. While the earthquake report was deemed necessary for public safety, the political news irked viewers, particularly those recording the episode for later viewing.
Although the political message did not completely obstruct the visuals, fans felt it detracted from their viewing experience, especially during an exciting segment featuring Tanjiro. The incident led to online backlash, with the phrase “kimetsu alert” trending on social media platforms.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, originally a manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge, gained widespread acclaim upon its anime adaptation by Ufotable. The franchise’s popularity skyrocketed globally, with the manga boasting over 150 million copies in circulation by February 2021. The success extended to the first Demon Slayer movie, which became a box office sensation despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Season 4 of the anime underway in Japan and the English dub set to debut on Crunchyroll for Western audiences, anticipation for Demon Slayer remains high. The series’ continued success on platforms like Netflix reflects its status as a powerhouse in the world of shonen manga and anime, placing it alongside iconic franchises like Dragon Ball Z and One Piece.