Results Announced for "Demon Slayer Kanji" Campaign, Celebrating the Release of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle"!

To celebrate the release of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle," a special voting campaign was launched in partnership with the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Titled "Demon Slayer Kanji," the campaign invited participants to select the kanji character they felt best represented the series.

The results of this highly anticipated campaign have now been unveiled at Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

With a total of 23,318 votes cast, the kanji 滅 (metsu), meaning "destroy" or "exterminate," emerged as the clear winner, securing first place with 5,886 votes. Following closely were 絆 (kizuna), meaning "bond," in second place; 鬼 (oni), meaning "demon," in third; 繋 (tsunagu), meaning "connect," in fourth; and 刀 (katana), meaning "sword," in fifth.

"Demon Slayer Kanji" Commemorative Event: "滅" (Metsu/Destruction) Ranks First

The results of the "Demon's Kanji" poll were announced at a calligraphy event held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. This poll, which asked fans to choose one kanji from over 400 characters in the "Demon Slayer" series that best represents it, was part of a commemorative event for the release of the movie "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle." Out of 23,318 votes, "滅" (metsu/destruction) was chosen as the top kanji.

This voting event was a collaboration between the film, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, with the results unveiled at the shrine in Kyoto. The initiative, organized to commemorate the movie's release on Friday, July 18th, allowed fans to vote online for two weeks, choosing from over 400 kanji characters that appear in "Demon Slayer," including those in character and technique names.

Inspired by Japan's "Kanji of the Year" event, where a single kanji character is chosen annually to symbolize the past year, this project was similarly undertaken at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Calligrapher Tomoko Kawao was invited to perform a demonstration, vigorously expressing the chosen kanji on a large stand after a moment of meditation.

The winning kanji was "滅" (metsu), meaning "to destroy" or "to exterminate." This character is well-known from the Demon Slayer series, appearing on the uniforms of the Demon Slayer Corps. "滅" received 5,886 votes out of a total of 23,318. The subsequent top rankings were "絆" (kizuna, "bond"), "鬼" (oni, "demon"), "繋" (tsunagu, "to connect"), and "刀" (katana, "sword"), all closely associated with the series.

After completing the calligraphy, Kawao-san remarked, "This single character truly embodies everyone's feelings, so I put my heart into every stroke as I wrote it." The "Demon Slayer Kanji" project garnered significant public interest, fueled by excitement for the movie. The calligraphy of "滅" is scheduled for display at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine until mid-August. The project team encourages fans to anticipate future developments in the series.

©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable

Voting Results

■1st Place | 5,886 votes

滅

Readings: Metsu, Betsu / Horobiru, Horobosu

Meanings:

1. To perish or destroy

2. To extinguish (fire or light)

3. Death of Buddha or high-ranking monks

■2nd Place | 2,628 votes

絆

Readings: Han, Ban / Kizuna, Tsunagu, Hodasu

Meanings:

1. Bond, tie, or connection

2. To bind, tie, or restrain

■3rd Place | 2,208 votes

鬼

Readings: Ki / Oni

Meanings:

1. Demon, monster, or spirit

2. Soul of the deceased

3. Superhuman or extraordinary

■4th Place | 1,735 votes

繋

Readings: Kei / Tsunagu, Tsunagaru, Toraeru, Kakaru, Kizuna

Meanings:

1. To connect, link, or capture

2. To hang, suspend, or be involved

3. Bond, rope, or string

■5th Place | 1,003 votes

刀

Readings: Tou / Katana

Meanings:

1. Sword or blade

2. Ancient Chinese paper currency shaped like a sword

※Rankings 6-10:

6. 炎 (En / Honoo, Moeru) - Flame

7. 継 (Kei / Tsugu, Mama) - Inherit

8. 無 (Mu, Bu / Nai) - Nothing

9. 柱 (Chuu / Hashira) - Pillar

10. 煉 (Ren / Neru) - Refine

Source: Kanji Pedia® website by The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation

"Demon Slayer Kanji" Project Overview

What kanji best represents "Demon Slayer" in your opinion? A special collaboration between the theatrical release of "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc" and the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation has been announced! Choose the one kanji you think best represents "Demon Slayer"! The top-voted kanji will be revealed at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, famous for its deity of learning.

・Voting Period July 14 (Mon) - July 28 (Mon)

■ How to Participate

During the voting period, visit the anime's official website. Select one kanji from over 400 characters featured in "Demon Slayer". The top-voted kanji will be showcased in a calligraphy performance and announced at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine this summer.

Vote here

■ Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation conducts the "Kanji Kentei" test and organizes the "Kanji of the Year®" event, which selects a single kanji to represent the year's social mood. They continue to promote the joy of learning Japanese and kanji, supporting everyone's desire to learn.

Official Website

■ Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines nationwide, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane. Affectionately known as "Tenjin-sama," he is revered throughout Japan as the deity of learning, culture, and performing arts. The shrine attracts numerous students, especially during school trips and exam seasons.

Official Website

About "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle"

Synopsis

Tanjiro Kamado – a boy who joined an organization dedicated to hunting down demons called the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko was turned into a demon.

While growing stronger and deepening his friendships and bonds with fellow corps members, Tanjiro has battled many demons with his comrades, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira.

Along the way, his journey has led him to fight alongside the Demon Slayer Corps’ highest-ranking swordsmen, the Hashira, including Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku aboard the Mugen Train, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui within the Entertainment District, as well as Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji at the Swordsmith Village.

As the Demon Slayer Corps members and Hashira engaged in a group strength training program, the Hashira Training, in preparation for the forthcoming battle against the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji appears at the Ubuyashiki Mansion. With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji.

The destination of where Tanjiro and Demon Slayer Corps have fallen is the demons’ stronghold – the Infinity Castle.

And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the Demons ignites.

Cast

Tanjiro Kamado: Natsuki Hanae

Nezuko Kamado: Akari Kito

Zenitsu Agatsuma: Hiro Shimono

Inosuke Hashibira: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

Kanao Tsuyuri: Reina Ueda

Genya Shinazugawa: Nobuhiko Okamoto

Giyu Tomioka: Takahiro Sakurai

Tengen Uzui: Katsuyuki Konishi

Muichiro Tokito: Kengo Kawanishi