The movie Demon Slayer: The Infinity Fortress has achieved an unprecedented milestone by becoming the highest-grossing anime film in history, surpassing Mugen Train, an achievement that Ufotable and the manga’s author, Koyoharu Gotouge, are immensely proud of. This success is not only due to its impressive visual and sound quality, but also to the effort of the voice cast who have worked hard to bring the characters to life.
The biggest hit in the history of anime comes packed with pressure
Akira Ishida, who voices Akaza, one of the central demons in the narrative, has shared his experiences about the challenges he faced while portraying this complex character. In an interview with the Japanese media Mantan, Ishida admitted to feeling great pressure due to the expectations generated by the previous success of The Infinite Train. The Infinite Fortress is the first part of a trilogy that promises to conclude the story of Demon Slayer, adding an additional layer of responsibility to the performance.
During the movie, Akaza’s role is notably deepened, exploring his past and the struggles he has faced throughout his life. Ishida was concerned about portraying the younger versions of Akaza, a challenge that involved reflecting both his demonic side and his humanity. “I was a little worried about going back to the past and portraying Hajuki from ages 11 to 18, but when I saw the final result, I thought: ‘Ah, this is easier to listen to than I had imagined'”, Ishida commented.
Although the atmosphere in the recording studio was generally positive, Ishida revealed that the recording of Akaza’s youth arc was particularly solemn, creating a tense atmosphere among the team. With these statements, it is clear that the production of The Infinite Fortress has been both a challenge and an artistic achievement, setting high expectations for the future installments of the trilogy.