Demon Slayer’s Future Looks Uncertain After Major Studio Shake-Up

Since its premiere in 2019, Demon Slayer has remained atop the anime world. Following four incredibly successful seasons spanning 63 episodes of non-stop action and top-tier visuals, the series landed in theaters around the world last year and quickly became the highest-grossing Japanese film in history.

With two more films to go before it reaches its end, the future appears unimaginably bright for Demon Slayer. However, recent behind-the-scenes changes are causing fans some concern, as one major producer is reportedly moving on from Aniplex and entering a new role at parent company Sony Music.

Aniplex Producer Responsible for Demon Slayer’s Success Is Taking On a New Role at Sony

Atsuhiro Iwakami, a long-time producer with industry giant Aniplex, has reportedly been promoted and will be taking on a new role as the president of Sony Music. Iwakami has credits on a number of popular titles, like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Sword Art Online, and Demon Slayer, the latter of which he is credited with investing in heavily prior to its 2019 premiere.

Aniplex is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment, and has had its name attached to some of the most iconic anime titles in history. It’s currently unclear what responsibilities Iwakami will shoulder in his new position.

Demon Slayer’s Movies Are Going to Ruin Anime

Demon Slayer’s movies have become some of the most financially successful movies ever, but that doesn’t mean that they’re good for anime.

The news of Iwakami’s promotion has given some Demon Slayer fans pause, considering the role he’s played in the series’ production over the years. He’s credited as a producer alongside Yuma Takahashi and Masanori Miyaki, and even has credit on the 2021 video game, Demon Slayer – The Hinokami Chronicles.

However, it’s pretty unlikely that his departure will have much of an impact on the series moving forward.

Demon Slayer’s Success Will Not Slow Down

Kamado Tanjiro as seen in Demon Slayer Infinity Castle

While it’s imperative an anime series has dedicated and passionate backers, Demon Slayer, at this point in its life cycle, is far too profitable an IP for any studio or production company to neglect, regardless of any names attached to the project. The series’ remaining two Infinity Castle films have a higher chance of breaking their own records than they do of failing.

Demon Slayer is one of the most profitable anime franchises of all time, and is far too big a name in the industry to feel many effects of behind-the-scenes changes. However, other future titles may suffer from the loss of the highly respected and passionate producer, as Atsuhiro Iwakami moves on from his current role with Aniplex.

Release Date: 2019 – 2024-00-00
Network: Fuji TV, Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV, Kansai TV, Tokai Television Broadcasting, Fukui TV, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, Iwate Menkoi Television, Sendai Television, SAGA TV, TNC, OHK, Ishikawa TV, Kochi Sun Sun Broadcasting, TV Shizuoka, UMK TV Miyazaki, Television Shin Hiroshima System, NST, NBS, Sakuranbo TV, TSK, Ehime Broadcasting, KTS, NIB, Fukushima TV, TOS, AKT, Toyama Television, TV Kumamoto, Okinawa Television Broadcasting
Directors: Hideki Hosokawa, Shinya Shimomura, Akihiko Uda, Takuro Takahashi, Shuji Miyahara, Masaru Takeuchi, Toshiyuki Shirai, Takuya Nonaka, Yuki Ito, Ken Takahashi, Takahiro Majima, Yusuke Shibata