The three-part film series, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle Arc,” has already had a record-breaking run in Japan and is now coming to US theaters. Part 1 premieres on Friday, September 12, 2025, finally bringing the climactic showdown between Tanjiro and his friends and Muzan Kibutsuji at the demons' home base, Infinity Castle.
As a special release celebration, we're sharing an exclusive interview with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, the voice actor for the wild and unpredictable Inosuke Hashibira. We discuss Inosuke's development throughout the series, his crucial role in the final battles, and Matsuoka's unique methods for bringing the character to life.
Breathtaking Quality Ignites Passion
—Please share your thoughts on learning about the production of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle”
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, the voice of Inosuke Hashibira (hereafter Matsuoka): When I visited the ufotable’s studio during the “Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc,” I remember they were already working on the “Mugen Train Arc” and creating things like Infinity Castle.
To see the quality of the animation get better with each series, our passion as voice actors has also grown. As we’ve all worked together to create this show, we've developed a sense that "no one should be missing," and we continue to record sessions with great passion and enjoyment.
—So, the staff’s dedication has fueled your own passion for recording?
Matsuoka: Yes, that’s right. I feel it's a way of giving back to the people who create such incredible quality that goes beyond what we can imagine.
—What was your reaction to seeing the finished animation?
Matsuoka: I read the original manga and had my own ideas about how the anime would look, but the visuals they created went beyond my imagination. There's a certain feeling of getting lost in the world that just pulls the viewer in. I also find the detailed expressions, like the subtle movements characters make before an action, to be particularly captivating.
The Final Battle, As Seen Through Inosuke's Eyes
—What do you think Inosuke's mindset is as he goes into this final battle?
Matsuoka: I think Inosuke simply wants to test his current fighting abilities. He’s confident because he’s gotten stronger through the Hashira training, so he’ll likely charge at the enemy with single-minded determination.
—So, this is the result of all his past battles and training?
Matsuoka: Yes, I believe so. At Mount Natagumo, he was fighting on the edge of death. It really feels like he’s overcome several setbacks and trained hard with everyone to get to where he is now.
—Is there anything you made a conscious effort to do while acting?
Matsuoka: For Inosuke, there's nothing in particular. While he's not completely ignorant of what's ahead or what's happening around him, he truly embodies the phrase 'chototsu moushin,' so that’s what he prioritizes most. On the other hand, even though he would deny it if you pointed it out, Inosuke is in the middle of a huge growth spurt. While his aggressive behavior hasn't changed since the beginning, the subtle nuances in his words have, so it would be interesting to compare them.
*'Chototsu moushin' is a Japanese four-character idiom that is closely associated with Inosuke Hashibira. He often yells it out, particularly when charging into a fight or a situation with his characteristic recklessness. It literally translates to "rushing fiercely ahead like a boar."
—Do you ever re-read the original manga when you're acting?
Matsuoka: I have read the original manga once. But when I check the script while watching the footage at home, I only watch Inosuke’s scenes. I’ve also made a point of not re-reading the manga from around the “Mugen Train Arc” onward. The reason is that I was worried that getting too emotionally invested would make my performance waver, so I try to avoid watching anything except for the scenes I’m in.
From Waterfall Meditation to Skydiving?!
—You've taken on various challenges through “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” such as waterfall meditation, for example.
Matsuoka: Yes… I don't want to do that again (laughs)
—(laughs). I guess you're done with the hermit?
Matsuoka: I’d like to see the hermit again! It was just a bad time to do it (laughs).
—It looked really cold.
Matsuoka: It was warm at first during the shoot, but then the sun went down. I remember Shimono-san asking me while we were moving, "Matsuoka, aren't you a little cold?" (laughs). The waterfall afterward was also freezing cold because the force of the water created a strong wind.
—What's something you want to try in the future?
Matsuoka: Skydiving! I think I'll regret it afterward, but I have to do it at least once for the experience. Shimono-san said he's okay with it, and more than anything, I definitely want to drag Natsuki (Hanae) with me next time (laughs).
Doma's Despair: The Unbeatable Force That Crushes All Hope [SPOILER ALERT]
—What was the most memorable scene for you in “Infinity Castle Arc” Part 1?
Matsuoka: Shinobu Kocho’s fight was truly amazing. Saori Hayami’s (the voice of Shinobu Kocho) performance conveyed all of Shinobu’s emotions and feelings, and then Mamoru Miyano (the voice of Doma) just brushed it all aside. That contrast was so profound. Seeing how thoroughly ufotable created that scene was a huge inspiration for me.
—What was your impression of Doma?
Matsuoka: He’s "terrible," but in a good way, not a bad one. There’s an indescribable persuasiveness to Miyano-san’s acting. The more gleeful Doma becomes, the more you feel a sense of hopelessness, as if he's someone you can never beat. He had an aura that made you feel like you couldn't stand up to him alone. I found myself repeatedly wanting Shinobu to just run away.
What's so incredible about Doma is that he doesn't think of himself as evil at all. In fact, he even believes he's doing good. Honestly, Doma’s very existence infuriated me.
—Miyano-san's acting combined with the visuals made it impossible to look away from Doma's every move.
Matsuoka: That’s exactly right. Doma becomes even more terrifying when you see him animated. The location where he fights Shinobu is also so beautiful. Not only the water effects but especially Doma’s Blood Demon Art—it was so beautiful it made me angry (laughs).
—Aside from Tanjiro and the Hashira, we also see battles unfolding for many other characters. The portrayal of these side characters is one of the charms of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” Could you share any particularly memorable scenes featuring the Demon Slayer Corps?
Matsuoka: It really shows that the Demon Slayers, both inside and outside of Infinity Castle, are all giving it their all and working together to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji. When I think about that, Muzan truly infuriates me.
—What is your mindset as you approach the rest of the “Infinity Castle Arc”?
Matsuoka: I basically want to be Inosuke. So when I check the script, I focus on Inosuke's lines, and I try my best to not look at scenes where he's not in. From Inosuke's perspective, it's not realistic for him to know what's happening in places he can't see. Inosuke wouldn’t know everything. If I knew too much about the things happening around him, my acting might change. So, I fundamentally only concentrate on the scenes where Inosuke appears. In this "Infinity Castle Arc” Part 1, it was my first time seeing the battles with Kaigaku and Akaza in the finished anime, and I was just amazed at how incredible ufotable is. We'll continue to give it our all as well.
—Please give a final message to all the fans looking forward to the film’s release!
Matsuoka: Everyone coming to the theater is my henchman. Let’s all ‘chototsu moushin’ toward Infinity Castle together!
[Interview and Photography by MoA]
About “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: 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
Shinobu Kocho: Saori Hayami
Mitsuri Kanroji: Kana Hanazawa
Obanai Iguro: Kenichi Suzumura
Sanemi Shinazugawa: Tomokazu Seki
Gyomei Himejima: Tomokazu Sugita
Akaza (Upper Rank Three): Akira Ishida
Dōma (Upper Rank Two): Mamoru Miyano
Kaigaku: Yoshimasa Hosoya
Keizō: Yuichi Nakamura
Koyuki: Lynn
IMAX(R) is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation.
©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
