The anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga is getting handled by Anipelx USA for its release and no matter what you think of what we get, it’s better than the eleven-volume release it got in Japan in terms of price. That said, we’re seeing the first real case of how the company being a cousin-company to Funimation under Sony may work to fans advantage going forward.
Aniplex USA has set two bilingual limited-edition releases for the twenty-six episode TV series where the first set arrives on June 30th, 2020 and the second set on November 24th, 2020. Both sets are priced at $159.98 with an on-sale price of $129.98.
In addition to this, Funimation will be releasing two standard edition Blu-ray releases that will arrive in September 2020 for the first and January 2021 for the second. Those releases will be detailed in a later solicitation from Funimation but they will be priced at $64.98.
Volume 1 Limited Edition contains episodes 1-13 of the anime directed by Haruo Sotozaki and is housed in an Art Box which contains a Special Booklet featuring character art and scene designs along with staff commentaries, Illustration Card Set, and 3-CD Soundtrack.
Volume 2 Limited Edition contains episodes 14-26 of the anime directed by Haruo Sotozaki and is housed in an Art Box which contains a Special Booklet featuring character art and scene designs along with staff commentaries, Illustration Card Set, and a Soundtrack CD.
Essentially, this allows Aniplex USA to maintain their position of releasing high-end and high-quality releases with materials from Japan and an edge by having them out for a couple of months before the standard editions come out. This also allows them to draw on those that dislike limited editions or unable to get them before they sell out and still have product on the shelves for a greater range of retailers and physical retail stores. It’s as close to a win/win as we can get and it’s definitely an exciting development.
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.
