Natsuki Hanae - the voice of Tanjiro: I never imagined Demon Slayer’s popularity would reach this level - Exclusive

In the vibrant realm of anime, few characters have left as indelible a mark as Tanjiro from ‘Demon Slayer.’ Voiced by the talented Natsuki Hanae, Tanjiro's journey from a determined young boy to a skilled Demon Slayer has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Natsuki Hanae shares insights into his portrayal of Tanjiro and the profound impact of the series.
Reflecting on the global success of ‘Demon Slayer,’ Natsuki Hanae expresses his initial astonishment at the anime's immense popularity. While he always believed in the quality of ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba,’ he never anticipated its widespread acclaim. He said, “I thought that ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba’ was a really good anime, so of course, I had hoped that it would be a hit. But I never imagined its popularity would reach this level, so sometimes I am still shocked to see how popular it is. At the same time, I think it’s a story that speaks to many fans, regardless of age or gender. And I believe that's because there is a universal theme of love for siblings and family and the bond between friends at the core of this series.”

Further, in the conversation, Natsuki spoke about the brother-sister bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko that stands as a pillar of strength throughout the series. When asked about the poignant scene where Nezuko conquers sunlight, Natsuki Hanae revealed his emotional preparation. “I've played Tanjiro for a long time, so I've truly felt the strong bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko. I thought this was such a great scene when I read the manga, so I knew it was going to be a crucial scene and was looking forward to voicing it. I think it was a very tough situation for Tanjiro to think that Nezuko might die when all he wanted was to turn her back into a human. I had thought about how I should express that through my voice until I went into the recording booth,” he stated.
Drawing from personal experiences, he tapped into the love he feels for his own family, channeling those emotions into Tanjiro's heartfelt reaction. “But thinking back on it, I focused more on thinking about my own family, my kids, and everyone precious to me, so that I could bring myself closer to how Tanjiro was feeling when I played this scene,” added Hanae.

Shedding light on Tanjiro's character evolution, Hanae explains his approach to portraying the protagonist's growth. He mentioned, “Initially, I played him as if he was desperate to perform, even when using a single Water Breathing Technique. But as he grew, he started to learn to be calm when using Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura. So, in Swordsmith Village Arc, I tried to focus on the sense that he had burning passion in his heart, but he also possessed cool-headedness and space in his mind when he faced adversaries”.
Amidst the series' milestones, Hanae finds joy in the heartfelt interactions with fans. He said, “When people talk to me and tell me things like, "I saw Kimetsu no Yaiba!" and "I’m rooting for you!" It makes me very happy when my friends and relatives who don’t watch anime tell me that they’re looking forward to watching Kimetsu no Yaiba. What makes me most happy is when I receive letters from fans, especially very young fans who might have just learned how to write. Reading their handwritten messages makes me feel glad that I got to play Tanjiro.”

Looking ahead to the fifth anniversary of ‘Demon Slayer,’ Hanae reflected on the journey so far. While he cherishes every scene from the Swordsmith Village Arc, he emphasized the collective brilliance of the series, urging fans to immerse themselves in its entirety. “The most memorable moments were the moments when I got to interact directly with the fans. Many fans came to the very first Kimetsu event in Japan after the anime adaptation was announced. I can still remember the faces of those fans who were full of smiles, excited for the anime to come. To me, those moments where I can see the faces of the fans mean a lot,” expressed Natsuki Hanae.

Natsuki Hanae's portrayal of Tanjiro serves as a testament to his dedication and talent as a voice artist. As ‘Demon Slayer’ continues to enchant audiences worldwide, Hanae's portrayal of Tanjiro remains a beacon of courage and resilience, inspiring fans of all ages to embark on their own journeys of discovery and growth.
'Demon Slayer' is one of the most famous animes in the respective realm. With its latest season available on Crunchyroll, one of the largest anime-streaming platforms, the series continues to engage the audience.