THE HASHIRA ARE COMING .... …and Natsuki Hanae stokes Indian fans’ excitement over Demon Slayer Season 4
DECCAN CHRONICLE
In an exclusive conversation with Deccan Chronicle, renowned Japanese voice artiste Natsuki Hanae, the famous voice of Tanjiro in Demon Slayer, shares insights into Tanjiro’s growth through the series. As anticipation builds for the release of Demon Slayer Season 4 on Crunchyroll on May 12, Hanae also gives fans sneak peeks into what to expect from the upcoming Hashira Training Arc. Q A lot of fans think Tanjiro has grown through the stories, from Unwavering Resolve Arc to Swordsmith Village Arc. How do you think Tanjiro has grown?
His basic personality hasn’t changed, but there are parts of him that are stronger now because of the daily training and everything he’s been through. I consider that to be his growth.
In Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro couldn’t do anything when Rengoku and Akaza were in a battle. But in Entertainment District Arc, he was able to fight alongside Uzui to battle against Gyutaro and Daki. And finally, in Swordsmith Village Arc, Tanjiro could take on Hantengu, Upper Four, by himself.
I can feel that little by little, as he continues to train every day, he grows and learns from the Hashira.
Q
With the support of the Indian fans, we have decided to bring Demon Slayer to Mumbai. How did you feel when you first heard you would be taking to the stage in Mumbai?
To tell you the truth, I didn’t quite know what kind of city Mumbai was, and I’d never been to India either. So, the fact that I’d be on stage in Mumbai didn’t really click for me when I first heard about it. I was also unsure if anime was popular in India, and how many anime fans would be there. But gradually, I learned that Japanese anime was extremely popular here, so I was looking forward to meeting the fans in India.
Q What do you think has made Demon Slayer so popular around the world?
I think the biggest appeal is the theme of love for siblings and family, and the bond between friends. Another factor is the dialogues of the characters. Every single line spoken by the characters, which Gotogesensei
thought deeply about and chose carefully, is truly refined, and there’s not even a hint of cheapness to it. They perfectly fit each character, and that’s one of the reasons for the popularity. When I voice Tanjiro in anime, I pay attention to the real messages and meanings that Gotogesensei put behind the lines and try to express them.
Q A new episode, Hashira Training Arc, will start in May. What would you like to tell fans who are looking forward to this?
In the World Tour of ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba —To The Hashira Training’, the first episode of the Hashira Training Arc was screened. Anyone who saw that must be excited to watch the rest, and I’m looking forward to seeing them together with everyone.
And to those who haven’t seen the first episode, I hope you watch the series to see how cool and amazing the Hashira are! Who knows, maybe the characters might be dancing to Bollywood songs! (Laughs) Anyhow, please continue to support Kimetsu no Yaiba!
“WHEN
I VOICE TANJIRO IN ANIME, I PAY ATTENTION TO THE REAL MESSAGES AND MEANINGS THAT GOTOGE-SENSEI PUT BEHIND THE LINES AND TRY TO EXPRESS THEM.”