Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc Blu-ray/DVD Release Event – Hanae Natsuki and Yamazaki Takumi Appear Together for First Time

A special stage greeting and screening event celebrating the Blu-ray and DVD release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc: Chapter 1 – Akaza Returns was held on July 25, 2026, at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo. The home video release is scheduled for July 29, 2026.

First Joint Appearance

The event opened with a lively exchange between Kamado Tanjiro and his Kasugai Crow, performed by Hanae Natsuki and Yamazaki Takumi respectively. The two then took the stage together. Hanae greeted the audience, saying, “Welcome! We hope to talk with lots of energy, so please enjoy!” Yamazaki added, “I hope you all have a great time today. Thank you!” The crowd’s excitement immediately rose.

Although the Kasugai Crow first appeared in episode five of the original Demon Slayer anime, this marked the first time Hanae and Yamazaki appeared together at an event. Yamazaki’s last Demon Slayer event appearance was on September 6, 2025, at a stage greeting that gathered multiple Kasugai Crow voice actors. When asked how he felt about being on stage, Yamazaki smiled and said, “I’m so happy!” Hanae added, “You can really tell on set how much Yamazaki-san loves Demon Slayer. Whenever we’re together, he talks a lot about the series, so I was looking forward to today.”

Q&A Highlights

The event then moved to a Q&A session with audience questions. The first question asked about different ways to enjoy the film at home versus in theaters. Hanae recommended frame-by-frame viewing: “You can pause and look closely at action scenes—wondering what expression Giyuu-san might have at that moment, or what move he’s making. Every scene has amazing visuals, so I’d like people to focus on that.” Yamazaki, who has set up his home theater with a large TV and sound system, said, “I’m going to listen to the ‘Caw!’ and enjoy it alone, soaking it all in.”

Another question focused on the memorable scene near the end where the Kasugai Crow speaks to Tanjiro. Yamazaki recalled, “I was honored to be entrusted with that important line. I remember recording it with a sense of responsibility, putting in the feeling that ‘the story continues into Chapter 2.’” Hanae added, “Usually the crow’s messages are comedic, but that scene carried a seriousness that really moved me—I almost teared up.”

A question directed at Yamazaki asked about his work on the “Kasugai Crow Cheering Guide” audio commentary for the film. He admitted, “There were so many lines, and since it was a cheering guide, I was completely exhausted afterward.” Hanae praised the guide, saying, “It really boosted the feeling of ‘let’s defeat Muzan Kibutsuji together.’ It was a great cheering guide.” When asked about developing the character of Matsuemon, Yamazaki explained, “At first I thought, ‘What if a crow spoke human language?’ and built from there. The scene in the Drum Mansion where the crow talks to Tanjiro up close helped me settle on the crow’s acting style.”

Another question asked about Tanjiro’s growth and what hasn’t changed. Hanae said, “In terms of growth, Tanjiro could only beg Giyuu at first, but now he fights back-to-back with him. That shows his incredible effort, and it makes me emotional. What hasn’t changed is his motivation—he fights for his family and for the people he cares about. That consistency is his strength and charm.” Yamazaki agreed, “Tanjiro never wavers. I watch the ongoing rerun of the TV series every week, and even in the early episodes, his core is the same, which connects to the Infinity Castle Arc. On the other hand, seeing his mark still depicted as a burn is nostalgic.” Hanae added, “His compassion never wavers, and his kindness makes him stronger.”

Finally, a question asked how they would recommend Demon Slayer to a friend who hasn’t seen it. Hanae suggested, “Maybe just casually play the anime in the background when you’re hanging out?” Yamazaki agreed, “Just show it to them!” Hanae also offered a more direct approach: “The series values emotional connections, and there’s a character everyone can relate to.”

As the event drew to a close, Yamazaki said, “Starting next week, you can enjoy the film at home. Thank you for coming today!” Hanae added, “Many of you came to see it multiple times during its theatrical run. Please watch it again at home and support Tanjiro and the others. Their battle continues, so let’s all give our full concentration and keep cheering them on. Thank you very much!” The event ended with warm applause.

Event Details

• Date: July 25, 2026 (Saturday)
• Venue: TOHO Cinemas Hibiya, Screen 12 (Tokyo)
• Attendees: Hanae Natsuki, Yamazaki Takumi
• MC: Yuma Takahashi (Producer)

(C) Koyoharu Gotoge / Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable