Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: How Koyoharu Gotouge's anime survived rejections, scandal and a lawsuit to become a global sensation

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is smashing records worldwide, with the first film of the trilogy drawing rave reviews and poised to set new box office milestones. But this massive success was never guaranteed—its rise almost didn’t happen at all.

According to YouTube channel Film Cult, even creator Koyoharu Gotouge never predicted Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba would become a global phenomenon.

“Behind Tanjiro’s journey is the story of an anonymous author once destined to fail, an animation studio that gambled everything, a legal scandal that almost killed the series, and one final decision that changed the rules forever,” the channel notes. “With so many problems stacked against it and fierce competition in Japan’s anime industry, how did Demon Slayer end up outshining pirates, titans, and even Hayao Miyazaki?”

An Unknown Author with an Unyielding Vision

In 2013, Gotouge was an unknown artist with a simple idea: hunters versus demons. Their first one-shot, Kagarigari, was rejected—along with several others.

Between 2014 and 2015, Gotouge published three more shorts exploring themes of the supernatural, moral dilemmas, and resilient protagonists. Editors still weren’t convinced, pushing for flashier, edgier characters to appeal to readers obsessed with antiheroes like Denji (Chainsaw Man) or Eren (Attack on Titan).

But Gotouge stayed true to their vision—creating a hero whose power came from kindness, not cynicism. That persistence finally paid off when editor Tatsuhiko Katayama took a risk. Together, they refined the concept, added humor, and convinced Weekly Shonen Jump to serialize the story.

A Slow Start, Then an Unstoppable Climb

When Demon Slayer debuted in 2016, it wasn’t an instant hit. Sales were modest, just enough to avoid cancellation. But a small, devoted fanbase championed the series, recommending it through forums and word of mouth.

What resonated most was Tanjiro himself. In a sea of cynical protagonists, he stood out for his compassion and moral resolve. Gradually, momentum built until Demon Slayer achieved the unthinkable—surpassing One Piece as Japan’s top-selling manga.

The Studio That Risked Everything

Enter Ufotable, a studio known for visually stunning work like Fate/Zero. They saw what others missed: the potential to create an anime that could redefine the genre.

But Ufotable was in financial trouble and needed a hit. Their solution was radical—producing episodes far in advance, stockpiling completed content, and maintaining near-cinematic quality for every episode.

When the anime premiered on April 6, 2019, viewers immediately noticed the difference. Episode 19 (“Hinokami”) went viral worldwide, transforming Demon Slayer from a seasonal title into a cultural phenomenon.

Surviving Scandal

In 2019, just as the anime’s popularity soared, Japan’s tax office accused Ufotable and founder Hikaru Kondo of hiding millions in revenue. In 2021, Kondo was found guilty and given a suspended prison sentence.

Fans feared cancellation or delays, but instead of abandoning the series, they rallied behind it—proving Demon Slayer had outgrown its creators and belonged to the audience.

The Gamble That Changed Everything

Instead of following the usual route with a second TV season, Ufotable made a bold move: turn the next arc into a theatrical film.

That gamble paid off. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, surpassing Spirited Away and grossing over $500 million worldwide—even during the pandemic.

A Historic Finale

In 2020, the manga ended with 23 volumes and over 120 million copies sold. But Ufotable wasn’t finished. They announced that the final Infinity Castle arc would be adapted into a trilogy of theatrical films.

The first installment premiered on July 18, 2025, smashing records and proving anime films could dominate theaters like Hollywood blockbusters. The Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Arc is now expected to create history the anime industry has never seen before.