'Demon Slayer' set to bestow nearly $2bn on Japan's economy

Dec 06, 2020 | News On Japan

Dec 06, 2020 (Nikkei) - "Demon Slayer" keeps booming, arousing expectations that what began as a manga series will create 200 billion yen ($1.92 billion) or more in economic effects in Japan.

More than 120 million paper and digital copies of the entire series have been published, and a feature-length anime is on its way to setting a box office record. Collaborative products turned out by food and other consumer goods makers keep selling strongly, stimulating consumption dampened by the spread of the coronavirus.

With the boom likely to continue for some time to come, more tie-ins are expected to be released.

"I've enjoyed the story because it has been well balanced throughout the entire series," a 24-year-old female company employee said as she bought the last volume of the series, released on Friday.

The serialized manga -- known as "Kimetsu no Yaiba" in Japanese -- in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a teenage boy on a quest to restore the humanity of his sister, who was turned into a demon by Muzan Kibutsuji, the story's main antagonist, whose attack killed the rest of Tanjiro's family.

The cumulative number of published copies topped 40 million when the 19th volume of the series hit stores in February. When each of the remaining four volumes was released, the publisher did print runs of 20 million for each.

According to the research arm of the All Japan Magazine and Book Publishers' and Editors' Association, the accumulated number of published copies has exceeded 100 million for only nine manga series, including "Dragon Ball," "Naruto," "One Piece" and "Slam Dunk."

For "Demon Slayer," which has created a rare boom in the manga market, each of its 23 volumes has ranked high in monthly sales.

The movie, released in October, is closing in on breaking a record itself. By Nov. 29, "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train," had topped 27.5 billion yen in revenue, exceeding the 26.2 billion yen generated by Japan No. 2 "Titanic," the 1997 Hollywood blockbuster. "Mugen Train" is now closing in on No. 1 "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)," which generated 30.8 billion yen in box office revenue.

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

Mount Fuji Puts on First Snowcap

Mount Fuji has received its first snowcap of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 30, after temperatures at the summit plunged to minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, marking the arrival of winter conditions on Japan's highest mountain.

Chinese Female Spy Suspected of Targeting Nvidia Chief

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th.

Japan Blocks Websites Leaking GMO Personal Data

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Typhoon No. 31 was located near Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific Ocean, as of 3 a.m. on October 30, and was expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo over the October 31-November 1 weekend while maintaining very strong intensity, bringing a growing risk of dangerously high waves, powerful swells and extremely rough seas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Prison Inmates Help Preserve Japan's Traditional Crafts

Traditional Japanese crafts are finding an unexpected source of skilled workers in prisons across the country, where inmates are learning painstaking production techniques that build patience and concentration while helping preserve industries struggling with a shortage of craftspeople.

South Korean Man Arrested Over Killing of Japanese Woman Following Stock Crash

A Japanese woman in her 20s was found dead at an apartment complex in Cheonan, central South Korea, on October 29th, prompting police to detain a South Korean man in his 30s on suspicion of murder after he allegedly confessed to killing her because he had decided to commit suicide following stock market losses but could not bring himself to die alone.

Japan's Imperial Family Hosts Autumn Garden Party

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted the annual autumn garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 29, welcoming approximately 1,400 guests, including actor Kotaro Yoshida and novelist Miyuki Miyabe, while female members of the Imperial Family attended in traditional Japanese attire.

Rescuers Save Paraglider Who Stopped Breathing

A 59-year-old water sports rental shop owner in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, has received a letter of appreciation from police after rescuing a paraglider who plunged into a lake on September 21, pulling the unconscious man from the water and performing CPR after discovering he was no longer breathing.

Couple's Gardening Hobby Turns Out to Be Cannabis Cultivation

A married couple in Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, have been arrested after police discovered cannabis plants growing in pots on the terrace of their home during a search connected to a separate investigation, authorities said on October 28th.

Elderly Woman Drives Along Railway Tracks, Ends in Tragedy

A woman in her 80s was killed after her car entered railway tracks on the Odakyu Enoshima Line in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, shortly before 10:30 p.m. on October 27, with security camera footage showing the vehicle traveling along the tracks, passing an oncoming train and stopping with its hazard lights flashing before being struck from behind by another train.

Teen Hospitalized After Electric Shock From Basketball Hoop

A teenage male was rushed to a hospital after suffering an electric shock while putting away a motorized basketball hoop at a gymnasium in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, in an accident believed to have been caused by an incompatible extension cord, according to a report on October 27th.

Hungry Bears Attack Halloween Pumpkin

A Halloween pumpkin displayed at a nursery school in Esashi, Hokkaido, was found smashed and partially eaten on October 25, in what police believe was a bear attack, with similar damage reported at a nearby home.

< 2 3 4 5 >