The New Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie Is Causing a Wave of Wacky Merchandising
Nationwide Shopping Conveniencestore | 2020.11.01 |
At Japanese convenience stores in fall 2020, everything is Demon Slayer themed. It is heaven for anime fans nationwide.
While its popularity hasn't quite made it overseas just yet, there's no doubt that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the most popular anime in Japan right now. Just look in any direction, and you'll find people wearing the characters on t-shirts, ordering Demon Slayer takoyaki, styling their hair with Demon Slayer hair wax, and even taking Demon Slayer themed trips to visit sightseeing destinations with a connection to the anime.
So of course, when the new Demon Slayer movie arrived on October 16th (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train, or 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編), it took over Japan. Even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new movie grossed $100 million in 10 days, the fastest a Japanese movie has ever done so. And promotions of all kinds have followed. To give you a small idea of how important Demon Slayer is right now, I took a little walk to my local convenience store, where just about every product is a promotional tie-up. Take a look.
So of course, when the new Demon Slayer movie arrived on October 16th (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train, or 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編), it took over Japan. Even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new movie grossed $100 million in 10 days, the fastest a Japanese movie has ever done so. And promotions of all kinds have followed. To give you a small idea of how important Demon Slayer is right now, I took a little walk to my local convenience store, where just about every product is a promotional tie-up. Take a look.
Even from the outside, Lawson is loudly announcing their promotional campaign, with a banner featuring the new movie's charming protagonists: Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Rengoku.
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- Inches away, it was Nezuko's turn, with what looked like a standard Lawson steamed chicken salad. But this salad also included Japanese plum, shirasu, and a deep red Japanese-style dressing made with beets... perhaps a strange joke about Nezuko's choice to not eat human flesh. On a lighter note, it also includes a sticker!

Image Source: Lawson
This special New Year's osechi, on the other hand, is a little more connected to the Demon Slayer anime. The special celebratory bento includes items themed after Tanjiro and Nezuko's costumes, and the lid of the box itself is decorated with Demon Slayer characters. Reservations open now, if you'd like to pay 15,800 yen for it!
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Image Source: jeansmate
And fashion brands continue to come out with more and more new clothes and accessories every day!
I was actually fairly late to the party when it came to Demon Slayer, and it took me a while to get into it. But seeing all the fun merchandise and limited-edition products of all kinds, I'm honestly a little addicted now! In the end, I couldn't resist. Now I'm a true Demon Slayer fan!
(Fortunately, I managed to hold back when it came to actually buying the products, and I haven't bankrupted myself quite yet.)
For more updates and info from Japan, follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
(Fortunately, I managed to hold back when it came to actually buying the products, and I haven't bankrupted myself quite yet.)
For more updates and info from Japan, follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
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Name Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
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It's my fourth year living in Tokyo now, and I love wandering Japan looking for good food, lovely new places, and the best tourist attractions throughout the country.
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