Kimetsu no Yaiba: Ishida Akira’s Feelings on Portraying Akaza’s Past: “This Time is the Crucial Moment.” Nakamura Yuuichi & Lynn Also Share Recording Experiences [Stage Greeting Report]

A Resounding Welcome at the Stage Greeting for Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai

On August 31, 2025, a special “Public Appreciation Stage Greeting – Part 3” was held at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo for the movie Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai (also known as *Movie Version “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” Infinity Castle Arc Part 1: Akaza’s Reappearance*). The event saw the appearance of the talented voice actors Ishida Akira-san, who portrays Akaza and his human past as Hakuji; Nakamura Yuuichi-san, who lends his voice to Keizou, a character deeply entwined with Akaza’s past; and Lynn-san, the voice of Koyuki. As Producer Takahashi Yuuma-san called them onto the stage after the screening, a thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the packed theater.

Ishida Akira-san opened the event by expressing his gratitude: “Although today is the last day of summer vacation, thank you so much for coming to the cinema. And thank you to everyone watching via live viewing nationwide. As a member of the film’s cast, I want to convey my thanks to all of you and share a few words.”
Nakamura Yuuichi-san followed, saying, “I am Nakamura Yuuichi, and I played the role of Keizou. It will be a short time, but I look forward to it.” Lynn-san also greeted the audience warmly: “Hello everyone, I’m Lynn, the voice of Koyuki-chan. Thank you all for coming to the theater today, and to everyone watching the live viewing across the country. I’m very happy to have this opportunity to speak with you.”

Reflecting on the Movie’s Success and Depth

When asked about his honest feelings regarding the immense viewership the film has garnered, Ishida Akira-san shared, “Even a month and a half after its release, your enthusiasm hasn’t waned. I believe this is proof that, while the original manga’s popularity is certainly high, this animated film has also been truly embraced by everyone. It’s truly a blessing to be welcomed with such fervor by so many.”

Next, Nakamura Yuuichi-san was asked about his impressions after watching the film. He responded with heartfelt sincerity, “The sheer amount of visual information in the film is incredible. I genuinely felt it was a work best experienced in a movie theater. Especially since I wasn’t involved in the Mugenjou scenes during recording, I didn’t fully grasp their scale then, but seeing the finished film really brought that home for me.”

Lynn-san, deeply moved, commented, “I was so overwhelmed after watching it that I was speechless. The power emanating from the screen was immense. The three main battles depicted in this film each carry a heavy, profound story; it felt like each battle could be its own movie. The fact that they are condensed into this single work makes it so incredibly energetic.”

Delving into Akaza’s Past: Hakuji, Keizou, and Koyuki

The discussion then delved deeper into Akaza’s past, a pivotal story portrayed in this film. When asked what he focused on while portraying Hakuji before he became a demon, Ishida Akira-san revealed his earnest approach: “My first involvement with *Kimetsu no Yaiba* was in the previous film, the Mugen Ressha-hen, where Akaza appeared as a heel. This time, however, we see Akaza’s past as Hakuji. I believe Akaza as a character is accepted precisely because this part of his story exists. If I couldn’t properly portray Hakuji, Akaza would remain a purely evil character, which I didn’t think represented his true character. So, I focused on not missing that crucial point. It felt like this was the real test, a different kind of tension and responsibility compared to my first involvement with the series, and I confronted the film with that feeling.”

Regarding the character of Keizou, a powerful and consistently cheerful, warm individual who appears before Hakuji and stops his reckless behavior, Nakamura Yuuichi-san spoke about his role-building process. “If you were to simply describe his actions and events in text, he might come across as a dangerous person, or at least not normal. So, I had to ensure he wasn’t perceived as dangerous. I aimed to portray his cheerfulness while making it clear that Hakuji isn’t inherently bad, but rather a product of his circumstances. Keizou needed to be perceived as someone who subtly recognizes this, an individual without any hidden agendas.” Ishida Akira-san, in turn, described Nakamura Yuuichi-san’s portrayal of Keizou as “a truly invaluable presence. It’s precisely because Hakuji met a rare person like Keizou that his life took the path it did.”

Lynn-san, who voiced Koyuki-chan, Keizou’s gentle and bedridden daughter, carefully chose her words: “I felt the high expectations of everyone, so I was determined to deliver a truly adorable Koyuki-chan. She was a character whose weakness and self-blaming tendencies stood out in the past, but after meeting Hakuji-san, she gained the courage and resolve to express her feelings honestly and move forward towards the future. I focused on portraying that transformation.”

A Heartfelt Farewell and Special Exhibition

Finally, Ishida Akira-san delivered a profound message to the fans: “To everyone here in this venue today, and to everyone watching via live viewing, thank you so much. And to all of you who have visited the theaters until today and supported the Mugenjou-hen, thank you truly. I hope you will visit the theater again and let *Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai* be etched into your hearts. Thank you very, very much.” His heartfelt words filled the venue with emotion as the event drew to a close.

To commemorate this event, Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo is currently showcasing a “Rashin Floor Advertisement,” an impressive floor installation with a diameter of approximately 10 meters, designed to resemble Akaza’s Blood Demon Art, “Jutsushiki Tenkai Hakai Satsu・Rashin” (Destructive Kill: Compass Needle). This special display will be set up on the 9th-floor lobby floor until October 9th. Plans for similar installations in other regions and stations are also underway, with locations to be announced at a later date. Visitors are encouraged to stand in the center of the compass and enjoy posing just like Akaza!

Rashin Floor Advertisement Details

• Location: Shinjuku Wald 9, 9F Lobby Floor (3-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Shinjuku East Building)
• Display Period: August 30 (Saturday) – October 9 (Thursday)
• Content: A floor advertisement, approximately 10 meters in diameter, designed to evoke Akaza’s “Destructive Kill: Compass Needle” Blood Demon Art.

Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai Public Appreciation Stage Greeting – Part 3 Event Summary

• Date: August 31 (Sunday)
• Location: TOHO Cinemas Hibiya Screen 12 (Tokyo Takarazuka Building B1, 1-1-3 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
• Attendees: Ishida Akira-san, Nakamura Yuuichi-san, Lynn-san
• MC: Takahashi Yuuma (Producer)

Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai Now Showing

Staff

Cast

* The correct kanji for Nezuko’s “Ne” (禰) is “Ne” + “爾”.
* The correct kanji for Kibutsuji Muzan’s “Tsuji” (辻) has one dot for the “shinnyo” radical.

(C) Gotouge Koyoharu / Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable

Authored by Nakase Koutarou

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