The anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga is making its leap to broadcast as it debutded on the Toonami block with an October 12th, 2019 premiere. The show was announced for the Toonami block by Aniplex USA back during Anime Expo and they’ve now rolled out an expansion of the dub cast for upcoming epiosdes that Steve Staley of The Promised Neverland got to direct with:
- Mela Lee as Black-haired guide
- Christine Cabanos as White-haired guide
- Kirk Thornton as Hand Demon
[ ENGLISH DUB CAST ANNOUNCEMENT ]
Please welcome @TheMelaLee @ChristineMCVA and @VOKirk to the English cast of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba!
Black-haired guide: Mela Lee
White-haired guide: Christine Cabanos
Hand Demon: Kirk Thornton#DemonSlayer 👹 pic.twitter.com/23atIHGxGF— Aniplex of America (@aniplexUSA) October 31, 2019
The previously announced cast includes:
- Zach Aguilar as Tanjiro Kamado
- Abby Trott as Nezuko Kamado
- Aleks Le as Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Bryce Papenbrook as Inosuke Hashibira
- Johnny Young Bosch as Giyu Tomioka
“I was ecstatic, to say the least, when I heard I got the role of Tanjiro,” Zach Aguilar shares about finding out he was cast as the main character Tanjiro. “As a fan of the show, I’m extremely honored to be able to be a part of such a fantastic anime. I’m giving this character my all, and I’m looking forward to going through Tanjiro’s journey!”
“Nezuko as a human is a sweet, caring sister to her many siblings,” Abby Trott describes her character. “And even as a demon, when it comes to Tanjiro and family, she must protect. I definitely relate to her sentiments about protecting those people (and pets) that I hold dear!”
“When I got the news, I jumped out of my seat and unleashed a thunderous shriek,” Aleks Le explains of receiving the news that he had been cast as Zenitsu. “I was shaking with excitement. Being on the main cast of a show and getting to spend a lot of time with and play such a fun character is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m over the moon and can’t wait to share what we’re doing with the rest of the community!”
The series has Haruo Sotozaki directing with ufotable on board to animate it and they’re using that as who is handling the scripts as well. Akira Matsushima is on board with character designs.
The Japanese cast previously revealed includes Natsuki Hanae as Tanjir Kamado, Akari Kito will play Nezuko Kamado, Hiro Shimono as Zenitsu Agatsuma, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Inosuke Hashibira, Takahiro Sakurai as Giyū Tomioka, Hiro Shimono as Zenitsu Agatsuma, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Inosuke Hashibira, Takahiro Sakurai as Giyū Tomioka, Houchu Ohtsuka as Sakonji Urokodaki, Yuuki Kaji as Sabito, Ai Kakuma as Makomo, Nobuhiko Okamoto as Genya, Toshiyuki Morikawa as Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Shiori Izawa as Guide (White-Haired), Aoi Yūki as Guide (Black-Haired), Daisuke Namikawa as Haganezuka, Takumi Yamazaki as Kasugaigarasu, Hikaru Midorikawa as Odō no Oni, and Takehito Koyasu as Teoni.
You can see our reviews of the first, second, and third manga chapters.
The manga from Koyoharu Gotouge began in early 2016 and has twelve volumes out so far. Viz Media published the first three chapters as a Jump Start sample title in 2016.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjiro, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality…
Ever since the death of his father, Tanjiro has taken it upon himself to support his family. Although their lives may be hardened by tragedy, they’ve found happiness. But that ephemeral warmth is shattered one day when Tanjiro finds his family slaughtered and the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko, turned into a demon. To his surprise, however, Nezuko still shows signs of human emotion and thought… Thus begins Tanjiro’s request to fight demons and turn his sister human again.
