There have been numerous controversial anime series in recent years, likeRedo of Healer,Eromanga Sensei, andInterspecies Reviewers, but did you ever think thatDemon Slayer, a purely action-oriented anime, would be deemed controversial? Well, nobody anticipated it would feature a little fan service either, but such gimmicks are frequently used to sell modern anime fiction.
Apparently, the second film in the franchise,Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village, has been banned in certain Middle Eastern countries owing to a single scene that breached their censorship regulations. So, what was the scene in the film that prompted the ban, and how did Ufotable handle the situation? Let us dive deep into the topic that perplexed many Middle Eastern anime fans.
Is the Demon Slayer Film Banned in the Middle East?
Demon Slayer
Following the record-breaking success of its initial film,Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train, theDemon Slayeranime opted to release another movie in the franchise in 2023. Although the second film was not entirely original, fans were ecstatic to see it in theaters since it included the final two episodes of theEntertainment District Arcand the one-hour-long premiere episode of theDemon Slayerseason 3Swordsmith Village Arc.
While most regions appreciated the theatrical experience, the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, was insistent with its censorship laws. The film includes a bathing scene in which the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, is introduced to the fans, but Saudi Arabia has decided to ban the film outright due to the scene’s explicit nature.
Following the incident in early 2023, a few additional countries, such as Kuwait and the UAE, also banned the film, making it impossible for fans to watch it in theaters. Even though the film was not shown in theaters, fans could access it through the third season, which was made available onstreaming services such as Crunchyroll.
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Which Scene Resulted in the Demon Slayer Middle East Ban?
TheSwordsmith Village Arctakes an unconventional approach to introducing the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, beginning with her taking a bath while being completely naked. However, the film does not reveal anything too explicit, and the scene is very brief. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia follows stringent traditions and laws, so the sequence was deemed controversial. Reportedly, Saudi Cinema requested that Ufotable make specific changes to the scene so that it wouldn’t obstruct their laws, but the latter didn’t comply. Here’s the statement Saudi Cinema made when the film was originally released:
For fans of the Demon Slayer series, about the movie Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village, we would like to clarify that the studio (Ufotable), which owns the rights to the film, does not want to make the required modifications to be shown in cinemas.
The scene in question subsequently became the center of the controversy, and many fans assumed it would not be included in the anime. However, Ufotable did not compromise on omitting it from the series, providing fans with the fan service they sought. Given the strict laws of the Middle East, films featuring explicit scenes or that contradict their beliefs are often regarded as controversial, such asSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(LGBTQ), so it is no surprise that theDemon Slayerfilm has been banned in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Will the Upcoming Demon Slayer Film Be Released in Saudi Arabia?
After learning that the filmTo the Swordsmith Villagehas been banned in Saudi Arabia, it is natural to be confused about whetherDemon Slayer’s return to theaterswill be met with another ban. It is a reasonable question, and as long as Ufotable doesn’t feature any fan service in the upcoming movie, which is expected to be titled “Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Traning,” nothing will prevent it from entertaining Middle Eastern anime fans. Apart from that one fan service scene, no other content in the anime/manga violates Saudi Arabian laws, so it is safe to assume that fans will be able to catch the upcoming film in theaters shortly since it will be released on Feb. 24.
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For the upcoming release,Demon Slayerwill follow the same format as the filmTo the Swordsmith Village, incorporating two episodes from the third season with a one-hour episode from the fourth season. After the film’s release, the fourth season will begin with a one-hour episode, followed by the remaining episodes until it concludes theHashira Training Arcor teases the next major storyline from the manga.
To the Hashira Trainingfollows Tanjiro and his close companions, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Genya, as they try to master their breathing techniques under the watchful eyes of esteemed Hashiras, such as Shinobu Kocho, Tengen Uzui, Muichiro Tokito, Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Gyomei Himejima, and Giyu Tomioka. The fourth season ofDemon Slayerwill premiere in April 2024, while the film will be released on Feb. 24.Demon Slayeris currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
