Demon Slayer Takes Over Jump Festa 2026: Relive the Infinity Castle Arc

Hey there, anime fan! If you’ve ever been captivated by the heart-pounding battles of 鬼滅の刃 (Kimetsu no Yaiba - Demon Slayer), then you’re in for a treat. On December 21, 2025, the curtains rose at 幕張メッセ (Makuhari Messe), a massive convention center in Chiba, for an electrifying ステージ (sutēji - stage) event at ジャンプフェスタ2026 (Jump Festa 2026). This wasn’t just any gathering—it was a celebration of the intense 無限城編 (Mugen-jō Hen - Infinity Castle Arc), bringing fans closer to the voices behind their favorite characters. For anyone learning Japanese, this isn’t just news; it’s a window into the passion and camaraderie that define Japan’s anime culture. Let’s dive into the highlights and pick up some authentic Japanese along the way!

Epic Moments from the Jump Festa Stage

The イベント (ibento - event) at ジャンプフェスタ2026 was buzzing with excitement as voice actors took the spotlight. Stars like 花江夏樹 (Hanae Natsuki), the voice of 竈門炭治郎 (Kamado Tanjirō), 下野紘 (Shimono Hiro) as 我妻善逸 (Agatsuma Zenitsu), 櫻井孝宏 (Sakurai Takahiro) as 冨岡義勇 (Tomioka Giyū), and 早見沙織 (Hayami Saori) as 胡蝶しのぶ (Kochō Shinobu) stole the show. The event kicked off with a 生アフレコ (nama afureko - live dubbing) session, where the actors performed iconic scenes from the 無限城編. Imagine Shinobu’s fierce clash with the Upper Rank demon 童磨 (Dōma), Zenitsu’s raw confrontation with 獪岳 (Kaigaku), and the heart-pounding showdown between Tanjirō, Giyū, and 猗窩座 (Akaza)—all synced to original manga panels by 吾峠呼世晴 (Gotōge Koyoharu). The crowd was absolutely ノリノリ (norinori - hyped up)!

A talk segment followed, titled “Theatrical Film ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1 - Akaza Returns’ Special Talk!” Here, the cast took a moment to 振り返る (furikaeru - look back on) their experiences. 花江夏樹 shared the thrill of international promotions, like walking the red carpet in Los Angeles, while 下野紘 admitted to feeling intense 緊張 (kinchō - nervousness) during a stage greeting with veteran actor 千葉繁 (Chiba Shigeru), who lightened the mood with his lively banter.

Behind the Emotional Battles of Infinity Castle

A powerful segment called “Reflecting on Each Battle” featured a 決戦 (kessen - decisive battle) PV showcasing Shinobu, Zenitsu, Tanjirō, and Giyū. The actors opened up about the emotional weight of recording for the film. 早見沙織 confessed she sometimes couldn’t even open the script due to the overwhelming emotions tied to Shinobu’s story, though she treasured collaborating with 宮野真守 (Miyano Mamoru), the voice of 童磨. Meanwhile, 下野紘 shared how his 緊張 (kinchō - tension) during recording with 細谷佳正 (Hosoya Yoshimasa), who voices 獪岳, left him so quiet that Hosoya grew concerned. On a brighter note, 櫻井孝宏 praised 石田彰 (Ishida Akira) for the depth he brought to 猗窩座, while 花江夏樹 described the thrill of portraying Tanjirō’s evolving bond with Giyū in their intense 決戦 (kessen - showdown).

Upcoming Demon Slayer Releases to Watch For

The event wasn’t just about looking back—it also dropped exciting news for fans! Mark your calendars for the illustration collection アニメ『鬼滅の刃』イラスト記録集 肆』 (Anime ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba’ Illustration Record Collection Vol. 4) on March 4, 2026, and the 柱稽古編 (Hashira Geiko Hen - Pillar Training Arc) soundtrack on March 25, 2026. A special orchestral concert, 『鬼滅の奏』柱稽古編 (‘Kimetsu no Kanade’ Hashira Geiko Hen), is set for April 22, 2026, followed by a Blu-ray/DVD of the reading stage play 『鬼滅の宴 -柱稽古編-』 (‘Kimetsu no Utage - Hashira Geiko Hen’) on May 27, 2026. Exclusive jacket illustrations by character designer 松島晃 (Matsushima Akira) were also unveiled, building even more hype!

Cultural Context: The Heart of Jump Festa

If you’re new to Japanese pop culture, let’s unpack why events like ジャンプフェスタ (Jump Festa) are such a big deal. Organized by 集英社 (Shūeisha), the publisher of 週刊少年ジャンプ (Shūkan Shōnen Jump), this annual event at venues like 幕張メッセ is a pilgrimage for manga and anime fans. It’s not just about previews or merchandise—it’s a celebration of the deep bond between creators, 声優 (seiyū - voice actors), and fans. In Japan, voice acting is a revered profession, as these artists breathe life into characters with raw emotion. Understanding this connection shows why anime isn’t just entertainment here; it’s a shared language of storytelling and passion that brings people together.

Learn Japanese from This Article

Anime events like ジャンプフェスタ are packed with language you’ll hear in real Japanese conversations, especially among fans. Let’s break down some key vocabulary and grammar patterns from this event so you can level up your Japanese the authentic way—straight from Japan’s cultural heartbeat.

Key Vocabulary

Grammar Spotlight: 〜てみる and 〜ながら

Let’s explore two useful grammar patterns that pop up in conversations about experiences like this event. These will help you express yourself more naturally, just like Japanese speakers do.

〜てみる: Try Doing Something (To See How It Is)

This pattern combines the て-form of a verb with みる (to see) to mean “try doing something” to experience or test it out. It’s perfect for talking about new activities or challenges, like attending an anime event.

• Structure: Verb (て-form) + みる
• Example 1: イベントに行ってみる。 (Ibento ni itte miru.
  • I’ll try going to an event.)
• Example 2: 生アフレコを見てみる。 (Nama afureko o mite miru.
  • I’ll try watching live dubbing.)
• Example 3: 鬼滅の刃の映画を見てみる。 (Kimetsu no Yaiba no eiga o mite miru.
  • I’ll try watching the Demon Slayer movie.)
• When to Use: Use this when you’re experimenting with something new or want to express curiosity about trying an action.

〜ながら: While Doing Something, Simultaneously

This pattern lets you describe two actions happening at the same time, often used when multitasking or describing a scene. Attach ながら to the stem form of a verb (drop the ます from the polite form).

• Structure: Verb (stem form) + ながら
• Example 1: 話を聞きながらメモを取る。 (Hanashi o kikinagara memo o toru.
  • I take notes while listening to the talk.)
• Example 2: ステージを見ながら写真を撮る。 (Sutēji o minagara shashin o toru.
  • I take photos while watching the stage.)
• Example 3: 緊張しながら話す。 (Kinchō shinagara hanasu.
  • I speak while feeling nervous.)
• When to Use: Great for describing simultaneous actions, especially in lively settings like events where you’re doing multiple things at once.

Useful Expression

Here’s a bonus phrase you might hear at events or in casual chats with friends:

• ノリノリだね！ (Norinori da ne!
  • You’re so hyped up!) Use this to comment on someone’s excitement or high energy, like when fans cheer at a ステージ (sutēji
    • stage) performance.

Closing Thoughts

Diving into events like ジャンプフェスタ2026 isn’t just about fangirling over 鬼滅の刃—it’s a chance to connect with the language and culture that make anime so special. Whether you’re practicing words like 決戦 (kessen - decisive battle) or trying out patterns like 〜てみる to talk about new experiences, every step brings you closer to speaking Japanese the way it’s used in Japan. Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the passion of anime fuel your journey!

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.