Demon Slayer's Animators Risked Getting Stranded In The Snow To Research The Series' Setting

After a "hopeful and heartbreaking" second season, "Demon Slayer" has cemented itself as a pop culture phenomenon in the likes of other anime giants. Set in Japan during the Taishō period, "Demon Slayer" follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy that becomes a demon slayer in hopes of avenging his deceased family and keeping his sister-turned-demon Nezuko safe. Although a series filled with larger-than-life monsters and warriors, "Demon Slayer" takes place in a palpable universe somewhat based on our own. This is especially true in the first season, which introduced audiences to the tragic world of Tanjiro in the snowy mountains of his homeland.

"Demon Slayer" does not feature a game-changing story, but the anime boasts breathtaking animation and a clear vision that paints every picture without fault. In season 1, we got to meet Tanjiro at his most vulnerable, soon after the violent death of his family. And before the orphan even swung a sword, "Demon Slayer" flexed its animation muscles from the very beginning. The cold mountains of Japan were as beautiful as they were isolated, a stunning place tainted by the blood of a demon's victims. The animation work was a result of a risky endeavor by the animators, in which they visited real-life locations equally cold as the one featured in "Demon Slayer."

In a 2019 interview with Anime News Network, "Demon Slayer" producer Yūma Takahashi revealed that the animation crew went far and beyond to design the details of Tanjiro's home and surrounding area. Their efforts included climbing some snowy mountains to get a feel for what would eventually serve as inspiration for the scenery present in the very first episode, according to Takahashi:

"And while it wasn't exactly location-scouting related to the Taisho period, in terms of visiting real-life locations, we relied on a trip to the mountains to help illustrate the snowy scenery of episode 1. We found a place where there was tons of snow to inspire us in creating Tanjiro's homeland, although it was extremely freezing cold, and at one point there was some risk of us getting lost up there."

I'm not sure if climbing up some incredibly cold mountains was exactly necessary, but I am just glad it all worked out, in front of and behind the scenes. The opening of "Demon Slayer" was an important stepping stone for the rest of the series. If not executed properly, the tragic tale that soon followed Tanjiro would not resonate as emotionally as it does now. The snowy mountains of "Demon Slayer" serve as a representation of a tragic past, which has a gut-wrenching effect on Tanjiro, and the audience.

In the box office smash-hit "Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train," Tanjiro is forced to revisit his past in a dream sequence. During the scene, Tanjiro reunited with his family in the snowy mountains of his homeland, all alive and well. His deceased siblings and mother were all excited to see him and readily welcomed him back to their home. However, the emotional reunion is short-lived after the young demon slayer realizes that he must escape the dream to return to reality (by cutting off his own head, no less). Despite the family members begging him to stay, Tanjiro knew better.

The fact it was all just a dream does not stop it from being one of the most emotional moments of the series thus far. The snowy imagery brought audiences back to the first episode, when Tanjiro lived happily with his family and his non-demon sister, Nezuko. It was a reminder of what Tanjiro has been endlessly fighting for: a semblance of peace with his sole surviving family member. In the deadly aftermath of a demon attack, blood stained the bright snow that uniquely characterized Tanjiro's home. Revisiting the location was a strike to the senses, and a lesson that his tragic past can't be changed, no matter how hard he dreams of a happier, alternate reality.