The lead English voice actor behind Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle says he’s been left “blown away” by the film’s record-breaking run at the global box office.
Based on the hit 2016 manga, the movie marks the first installment of a trilogy that will conclude the anime’s story, which has been captivating fans since the TV adaptation debuted in 2019.
The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a teenager who joins the Demon Slayer Corps after his sister is transformed into a demon.
Zach Aguilar, the 27-year-old actor who voices Tanjiro in English, told BBC Newsbeat that the overwhelming response to Infinity Castle shows how the franchise has evolved into a true “pop culture phenomenon.”
Box Office Phenomenon
Since release, Infinity Castle has earned more than $600 million worldwide, surpassing major Hollywood titles like Mission Impossible and Fantastic Four in this year’s top-grossing list.
It opened at number one in Japan and the United States, while in the UK it was only narrowly beaten by Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
Aguilar believes the film is a turning point:
“Anime has been on this steady climb to mainstream popularity, and I think Infinity Castle is what finally pushed it over the line.”
Why Anime Clicks with Global Audiences
Rahul Purini, president of Crunchyroll, previously described anime as “one of the fastest-growing entertainment sectors.”
He attributes its popularity to the diversity of genres and the unique storytelling style.
“Anime is authentically created in Japan,” he explained, “with stunning visuals, layered characters, and imaginative worlds that fans around the globe connect with.”
Crunchyroll estimates there are around 1.5 billion anime-curious fans worldwide, helped by the accessibility of platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll itself.
Behind the Voice – The Challenges of Dubbing
Aguilar says portraying Tanjiro is the most demanding role of his career.
“I draw from my own hardships and pour that into Tanjiro. Sometimes it feels like I’m actually experiencing that pain.”
Unlike traditional acting, dubbing requires precision:
- Matching the exact timing of the original animation.
- Re-creating screams or breaths within split-second windows.
- Imagining co-stars’ emotions, since dubbing actors usually record alone.
“It’s a niche skill,” Aguilar admits. “You don’t have sets or props—you have to build the world in your head.”
What’s Next for Demon Slayer
With two more parts of the trilogy confirmed, Aguilar is preparing for even bigger projects ahead:
“This first film already blew my mind. I can’t even imagine what the second and third will bring—it’s only going to grow from here.”
For him, the hope is that newcomers will give anime a chance:
“It has some of the greatest storytelling I’ve ever experienced. You don’t know what you’re missing until you try.”
