“I Was Forcing Myself to Act Strong”: Demon Slayer Star Reflects on Voicing the Series’ Best Villain

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As a die-hard Demon Slayer fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the global premiere of “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle,” but for now, Japanese audiences are getting a head start! This film will adapt the final arc of the series, and it promises to be epic, as we delve deeper into the world of Demon Slayers. The first installment of the trilogy is particularly exciting because it brings back one of the series’ most formidable villains, Akaza.

Remember Akaza from the Mugen Train Arc? He was the one who outsmarted and defeated Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira. Despite his demise, Rengoku’s mission was a resounding success. He managed to save everyone aboard the train, along with Tanjiro and his team, who joined him on this perilous journey.

However, the Demon Slayer Corps endured a heart-wrenching loss as one of its beloved members and exceptional swordsmen met an untimely end. The grief is palpable, but I’m ready to see how this story unfolds in the upcoming films!

Following the release of Mugen Train, Akaza swiftly gained popularity among fans and has remained in their spotlight since then. He’s made occasional appearances in the anime post-release, but his action scenes as part of the Upper Rank Three were yet to unfold – until now. In the Infinity Castle Arc, he presents a significant challenge for Tanjiro, a hurdle that ranks among the toughest he’s faced so far. The upcoming fight between them is anticipated to be the climactic event in the final arc, with another character joining Tanjiro’s team as an ally. Recently, the voice actors from Demon Slayer attended a stage greeting to celebrate the film’s premiere, and Akaza’s voice actor, Akira Ishida, was also present at this gathering.

Akaza’s Voice Actor Confesses He Had a Difficult Time Acting Strong

As reported by Mantan Web, Ishida expressed that in “Mugen Train,” he was able to persevere primarily because his strength was overpowering when it came to dealing with humans.

Apart from expressing his opinions about the character in the new movie, he mentioned that while his initial demeanor remains unaltered, the level of force encountered by his adversaries significantly varies compared to “Mugen Train”.

In delving deeper into Akaza’s persona, Ishida remarked, “Akaza’s assessment of power is surprisingly just. What sets him apart now is that when he grows stronger, he recognizes it and adapts to the strength of his adversaries.

To conclude, the actor from Demon Slayer also acknowledged his non-assertive nature. He openly shared, “I put in a lot of effort to portray strength. I was making an extra effort not to give away that I was straining myself while pretending to be strong.

Contrary to most demons who feed on humans, Akaza derives pleasure not from feasting but from combat. He scorns those who fail to meet his standards of strength, yet respects formidable individuals like Rengoku. Interestingly, among demons, Akaza is exceptional in hand-to-hand combat, a part of his Blood Demon Art. During the Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro was merely an inconvenience for Akaza. However, their relationship will undergo significant change in the forthcoming arc. As suggested by the trailer, Akaza appears eager to engage with the young Demon Slayer in a challenge. This starkly contrasts their initial encounter, where Akaza dismissed Tanjiro as insignificant. Besides the exhilarating and intense fight scenes, viewers can anticipate gaining insights into Akaza’s character.

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2025-07-23 17:10