Koyoharu Gotouge, the creator of Demon Slayer , is an enigmatic figure in the world of manga. This discreet mangaka has won the hearts of readers around the world with her seminal work. From her promising beginnings with acclaimed one-shots to the global explosion of Demon Slayer , Gotouge has charted a meteoric rise in the manga industry. Her unique style, mixing frenetic action with emotional depth, has captivated millions of fans. Let's dive into the fascinating world of this talented artist, whose impact on contemporary pop culture is undeniable.
His debut before Demon Slayer
Koyoharu Gotouge was born on May 5, 1989 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Passionate about drawing and manga from a young age, she could count on the support of her parents who pushed her to develop her creativity. Growing up, she drew her influence from shonen anime until she created her own style, now recognized by all.
His first works and one-shots
Before creating Demon Slayer , Koyoharu Gotouge worked on several one-shots:
- Kagarigari (2013) : In 2013, at the age of 24, Koyoharu Gotouge participated in the Jump Treasure Newcomer Manga Awards organized by Shueisha and presented her first manga: Kagarigari. The story takes place in a village attacked by an unknown killer. The story features vampires and demon hunters.
- Monju Shirō Kyōdai (2014) : This one-shot tells the story of two siblings with supernatural powers who must overcome challenges to protect their village. It was published as part of Weekly Shonen Jump's Gold Future Cup contest.
- Rokkotsu-san (2014) : Another one-shot published for the Gold Future Cup contest. The story centers on a main character who uses her skills and intelligence to solve supernatural problems and protect those around her. She came in 3rd in the contest with this title.
- Haeniwa no Zigzag (2015) : Published in Weekly Shonen Jump, this one-shot follows an eccentric character and his interactions with spirits and supernatural phenomena.
The decisive meeting with Tatsuhiko Katayama
By participating in all these contests, several doors opened to Koyoharu Gotouge. She notably met Tatsuhiko Katayama , who was an editor at Weekly Shonen Jump and who immediately noticed the potential of the young mangaka. He encouraged her to create a longer manga series and that is how she developed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba .
Demon Slayer's Success
Publication in Weekly Shonen Jump
Demon Slayer was first published in 2016 in Weekly Shōnen Jump #11 . The series quickly became a huge commercial and critical success. It follows Tanjiro Kamado , a young boy whose family is massacred by demons, except for his sister Nezuko , who is transformed into a demon. Tanjiro then embarks on a quest to avenge his family and find a cure to turn his sister human. He joins the demon slayers.
Anime adaptation
The anime, produced by Ufotable, was a phenomenal success, especially with the Mugen Train arc , which became the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. Viewers immediately connected with the characters of Demon Slayer . They particularly enjoyed the relationship between Tanjiro and Nezuko and the fight they lead against Muzan Kibutsuji , the original demon. But also the secondary characters like Zenitsu and Inosuke or Kokushibo, the Upper Moon No. 1.
A global phenomenon
This is clearly the anime that made Demon Slayer known internationally. As of 2021, over 150 million copies have been sold worldwide, making the series one of the best-selling of all time. Although still far behind One Piece, Dragon Ball or Naruto in terms of sales, Demon Slayer is gaining more and more popularity, being broadcast on Netflix.
Awards and distinctions
Koyoharu Gotouge, the brilliant mind behind Demon Slayer, has been widely recognized for his impact on the manga world. Here are some of the accolades the Japanese actress has received:
- Second Noma Prize for Publishing Culture (2020) : This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional talent and influence on the publishing industry.
- Inclusion in Time's "Phenoms" list (2021) : Koyoharu Gotouge became the first mangaka to be included in this list.
- Newcomers to the Arts Award (2021) : Presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
The works of Koyoharu Gotouge
| Title | Year | Kind | Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kagarigari  |
2013 | One-shot | - |
|
Monju Shirō Kyōdai  |
2014 | One-shot | - |
|
Rokkotsu-san  |
2014 | One-shot | - |
|
Haeniwa no Zigzag  |
2015 | One-shot | Weekly Shonen Jump |
|
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba  |
2016-2020 | Long series | Weekly Shonen Jump |
Some anecdotes about Koyoharu Gotouge and Demon Slayer
- Tanjiro Kamado was inspired by Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator .
- Gotouge uses an alligator avatar to preserve his anonymity.
- Tanjiro's fighting style is based on Muay Thai.
- Demon Slayer includes a unique language, "Demon Slayer-speak": It is a mixture of Japanese and English, visible in the names of techniques and the inscriptions on the characters' weapons and uniforms.
- Demon Slayer has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Chinese, French, and Spanish.
