Takahiro Sakurai, the voice of Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, was in Singapore on August 11, 2025 for the international movie premiere of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle.
Giyu, known for his quiet and stoic demeanor, is one of the strongest members in the Demon Slayer Corps and one of the most popular characters from the franchise. Despite his cold exterior, he surprised by showing compassion toward protagonist Tanjiro Kamado and his sister, Nezuko, throughout their journey.
Speaking to local media before the screening of the first-ever international red carpet premiere outside of Japan, Sakurai shared his first impressions of Giyu and how he chose to portray the sometimes-misunderstood character.
A heavyweight veteran in the Japanese voice acting industry, 51-year-old Sakurai has brought to life a wide range of beloved characters in the last three decades. Giyu is just one of his many standout roles that he has taken on since he started voice acting in 1996.
He is widely praised for his portrayal of Geto Suguru in Jujutsu Kaisen, Sae Itoshi in Blue Lock, Cloud in Final Fantasy 7, Reigen Arataka in Mob Psycho 100, Sasori in Naturo, and Makishima Shougo in Psycho-Pass, among others.
Sakurai told the media that he first heard about Demon Slayer through the audition process. When he found out he had successfully landed the role, he felt happy and approached it professionally, just like all of his other voice acting roles.
What he couldn’t have predicted was how the anime would grow into a truly global phenomenon. “Specifically for Demon Slayer, it changed my life. I get to travel overseas – such as being here today in Singapore – which isn’t common for my other voice acting roles,” Sakurai said.
He believes Giyu’s popularity, in particular, stems from his calm and collected facade – a mask he wears due to his troubled past, a part of himself that “he can’t disclose easily” to other characters.
“Because he has that cool and not-so-talkative side, that’s what attracts fans and makes him appealing as a character,” Sakurai explained.
While preparing for the role, he focused on the relationship between Tanjiro and Giyu and aimed for consistency between the anime and manga versions.
One of the key anchoring points in their relationship, which was also the scene he acted out during the audition, is Giyu’s first encounter with Tanjiro in episode one. In that short interaction, the audience learns who Tanjiro is and how he relates to Giyu.
“This scene has a special place in my heart that I’ve held onto throughout the seasons,” Sakurai said.
Giyu’s relationship with Tanjiro evolves with the story, and it’s precisely because of Tanjiro that Giyu finally overcomes his struggle with survivor’s guilt in season three’s Hashira Training Arc.
“In the last episode of the Hashira Training Arc, that’s where Giyu’s true character is revealed. There’s actually more color to his character than being quiet and not talking,” Sakurai said in reply to Justsaying ASIA.
“This is my personal perception, but towards the end and some of the episodes in the middle, there were some hints that Giyu was giving off.”
“Specifically in the scene where Shinobu tells Giyu you’ll be disliked by other people. Giyu said no, that’s not true. If it’s a cool, emotionless person, they would typically reply ‘I don’t care if people don’t like me’,” Sakurai continued.
“But instead of reacting like that, Giyu said, no, I won’t be disliked. That was the hint – he’s not a take it or leave it person.”
Giyu’s character and his relationship with Tanjiro develop further in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle as they traverse Muzan Kibutsuji’s fortress.
Before the movie started, Sakurai walked the red carpet to greet fans at the immersive Infinity Castle-themed installation at Shaw Lido Theatres.
He then treated fans to a one-minute live-reading of a key scene between Giyu and Lower Rank Five demon Rui at Mount Natagumo from season one episode 19.
Interview by Amanda Fay Tan