The film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc Part 1: Akaza Returns is now playing in theaters across Japan. Voice actor Akira Ishida shared his thoughts on revisiting the character Akaza and the mindset he brought to the performance.

Ensuring Akaza’s Strength Was Beyond Question

—After appearing in the 2020 Mugen Train film and the TV series, Akaza returns to battle once again. The subtitle “Akaza Reborn” emphasizes his return. How did you approach recording this time?

Ishida
Just like in the previous film, I once again appear as an overwhelmingly powerful enemy. In this kind of battle-driven story, having a formidable opponent is absolutely essential. So I kept reminding myself that I needed to perform in a way that left no doubt in viewers’ minds that Akaza is truly strong. That sense of determination was always with me during recording.

—Was your mindset more on the side of nervousness or excitement?

Ishida
If I had to choose, the nervousness outweighed the excitement. That said, compared to the previous film, I had the experience of appearing several times in the TV series in between, which helped me feel a bit more at ease.

The Pressure and Discovery Within the Infinity Castle Arc

—After watching the completed film, how did you feel?

Ishida
Going into it, I only knew that “Akaza would have a spotlight scene.” But once I read the script, I realized it wasn’t just Akaza’s story—it was packed with multiple intertwined narratives, making it a very full and rewarding film to watch.

—What do you find most captivating about Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba as a work?

Ishida
There are many Demon Slayer Corps members and many demons, each with their own drama. The way all of these stories intertwine into one grand flow is what makes Demon Slayer so remarkable, I think.

Before I joined the project, I was told, “Akaza is really popular,” and I thought, “Hey, don’t put so much pressure on me!” (laughs) But through this story, I think I finally started to understand why he’s loved by so many.

As voice actors, we bring fictional characters to life, and each one has people who love them dearly. But it’s rare to be given a role that’s loved to such an extent. Whether I’ve done the character justice or not is something for others to judge, but for now, I’m grateful to have been allowed to portray him to the end.

Source : ORICON NEWS