Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Japanese anime 'Demon Slayer' logs record presales despite Liberation Day sensitivities
A scene from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle” / Courtesy of CJ ENM
By Baek Byung-yeul
Japanese animated feature "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle" is showing notable presale success in Korea, signaling strong anticipation despite the sensitive atmosphere surrounding National Liberation Day, a holiday commemorating the end of Japanese colonial rule which falls on Aug. 15.
The film’s release timing, Aug. 22, just days after this significant historical holiday, adds layers of cultural and historical complexity to how it is received by Korean audiences. However, many fans of this popular comic book-based animation argue that cultural content should be appreciated on its own merits, questioning the necessity of attaching historical and political issues to a work of fiction.
According to data from the Korean Film Council, the film has already surpassed 320,000 presale tickets, securing the top spot in ticket reservations with 321,806 presale ticket record as of Tuesday.
This impressive figure suggests a strong fan base and high anticipation for the movie, which is based on the massively popular comic book by Koyoharu Gotouge. The original comic series has sold over 220 million copies worldwide.
The work follows the journey of a boy named Tanjiro Kamado, whose family was murdered by demons, as he seeks to turn his demon-turned-sister, Nezuko, back into a human.
A scene from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle" / Courtesy of CJ ENM
The film's success is a continuation of the franchise's popularity in Korea. Its predecessor "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie — Mugen Train” drew over 2.18 million viewers in 2021. With "Infinity Castle" marking the beginning of the series' final arc, a large turnout from dedicated fans is expected.
However, the film's popularity is not without controversy. Some point to the movie's setting in Japan's Taisho era (1912-26), a period associated with Japanese imperialism, as well as the design of protagonist Tanjiro's earrings, which some claim resemble the Rising Sun flag. These elements have sparked debate over cultural sensitivities, particularly with the film's release so close to National Liberation Day.
A recent promotional event was also canceled due to public backlash. An attempt to have characters Tanjiro and Nezuko throw the first pitch at a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League game was called off due to criticism. This case highlighted the ongoing tension between the film's immense popularity and the historical context that makes some Koreans uncomfortable with its content.
Despite these issues, many argue that "a film is just a film," believing it is old-fashioned to judge a movie based on where it comes from.
Industry watchers are observing whether the strong presales and fan-driven popularity of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle" can propel it to box office dominance — potentially dethroning the current leader, "My Daughter Is a Zombie" — and whether the film can overcome the recent controversies in Korea.