Tanjiro Kamado (Zach Aguilar) – 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.
As the conclusion Demon Slayer series with a cinematic trilogy event, starting with Infinity Castle, begins in Australian cinemas on September 11, Nick L’Barrow spoke with Zach Aguilar (Tanjori) and Johnny Yong Bosch (Giyu) about their work on this new anime film.
Nick: I genuinely think Tanjiro and Giyu have the best battle scene of this film. It genuinely feels like it’s made for the big screen, and it’s going to be so cool that fans can experience it in cinemas. But it made me curious to know how things like the music, animation, sound design, all work together to help you find the intensity in your own performances?
Zach Aguilar: Wow, that’s a great question. I mean, I always do my best to kind of fit what has already been given to the show, and in this case, the movie. Before recording a scene, I get a little preview of what’s going on. I get to hear the music, I get to hear some of the cues, and what’s already been laid down in the booth beforehand. When we record, we record individually. So, in this case, Johnny actually recorded before I went into the booth. It just so happened to work out that way with our schedules. So, I got to play a lot of my lines off of what Johnny did.
But, I always walk into the booth ready to give 100%. I know this movie is massive. This is the finale of Demon Slayer. The start of the final battle of the entire series. So, really, walking in, I had that intensity and ferocity behind me. Like, I was just ready to do this. And I think I delivered! I am excited for everyone to hear it!
Johnny Yong Bosch: Yeah, and it’s not just the animation, but the sound design has just leveled up. When you hear it in the cans, you feel this kind of weight on your shoulders. Like, I better bring it. I better live up to what I’m seeing here. You do really feel this push to get into the space, and it’s easy to get lost in the animation because of how pretty it looks, especially in the battles. That kind of stuff definitely helps you find it easier.
Nick: How much of that energy you have to find also comes through the physicality of performing? Something the audiences don’t really get to see when it comes to voiceover work…
Zach Aguilar: I don’t know if they filmed you, Johnny, but the filmed part of mine. I don’t know if they plan on releasing it as, like, a behind the scenes. But, I think there is a lot of movement that happens for you naturally as an actor. If there is something like a battle going on and I get hit, I’ll try to really feel it. Demon Slayer has been no different. I mean, it’s intense, hands down. It’s probably the most intense property I’ve ever worked on when it comes to these battle scenes. These super emotional battle scenes where at the very end you’re battered and bruised, and you’ve already given it you’re all, and now you’re in your reserves. You have to give it even more, and I do my best to keep that in mind for my character.
It’s funny because it’s also a vocal workout. When I’m recording a scene, I feel like I’m also going into my reserves, just like Tanjiro is. I’ve already given it my all, and I gotta keep going. One more scream, you know? Just a last, all out attack.
Nick: Does listening to the original Japanese voice performers inform any decisions you make for your own performances?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Yeah, we absolutely listen to what they’ve done for timing, but also to gather a sense of what they’re doing, because the animation is based off of what they’ve done, you know? So, you usually try to find something at the heart of the character in a certain line, and usually that happens the first time a character shows up or something, and you can find something there that then becomes the heart of the character.
For me, there was something behind Giyu when he gave Tanjiro this chance to live and Asakusa is like, “Why?” What is that mystery behind him? So, you listen to what they’ve done, and then you put your own spin on it, and become that character as you go through it. You don’t want to take it to an entirely different place, but you do want to take it to a different place.
Nick: These huge battles are so dynamic and exciting, but they really don’t work unless you do find that emotion to tap into that you’ve both talked about. I find these themes and emotional explorations, like Giyu battling his grief and guilt, really interesting. What makes anime a cool vessel to explore these sorts of emotions and themes?
Johnny Yong Bosch: That’s probably the most fun part for me, is to be able to explore emotions that sometimes you just hide, you know? These character do internalise it all. Right from the beginning, you know something is up with Giyu. There’s gotta be something up with this guy’s past. But you don’t really put it all together until a little later.
And to get to the point where he is in the movie, I feel like it’s very satisfying. It’s the moment that I’ve been waiting for, to see him fully realised. But just doing that sort of stuff is the most fun part. Then, when you get to put it all into a big battle, you just feel it. I don’t want to say it makes it easier, but it certainly makes you lock into the emotion behind the screams and shouts.
Nick: Zach, you mentioned earlier that this is the start of the closing chapters of Demon Slayer. Is there anything you’re excited to explore more before your journey with Tanjiro comes to an end? And is there anything you’re going to miss about him?
Zach Aguilar: I mean, to be honest, I’ve been so focused on this movie and everything that’s happening in this moment. I try not to over prepare, but I have read all the source material, and Tanjiro goes through a lot! I think that’s prevalent throughout the entirety of Demon Slayer, even right up until the end.
I’m excited to jump in and do these scenes that have such an impact on the fans, and even on me as a performer. I just get to go in and give it my all, and pour that emotion into it. That’s truly what I live for. Those scenes bring me to life as an actor, and I love it. But, once everything is said and done, I think it’ll be bittersweet to wrap it all up.
Nick: And for you, Johnny?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I’m gonna miss it, of course. I just kind of hope they’ll magically continue it! I don’t know. I’m just in it for the ride now! We do have a couple for films, so we’ll see where they go. But I am excited for it all. I like what they’ve done with Giyu. I’ve just been waiting for this moment. To get to this point.
Nick: Is there another character who you’re excited to see where their storyline goes in this closing trilogy?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I mean, my son’s favourite character is Tanjiro, and it’s been a great journey getting to see my son in love with that. Actually, all of the characters get really cool growth in this. And without spoiling, if you haven’t read the manga, it’s going to be surprising, but satisfying.
Zach Aguilar: It is very cool that, like, going through the show recording wise, I get to do a lot of scenes with Demon Slayer’s. So, it’s interesting watching this as a fan of the series, and even this movie, to kind of go to the flip side and see the stories of the demons. For this movie, if I had to pick one, it would be Akaza. I mean, there’s a lot going on in this movie with Akaza, so I’m excited to see how the fans react!
Thank you so much to Zach and Johnny for their time, and to Sony Pictures and CrunchyRoll for organising the interview. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle is in cinemas September 11.
