Special Feature: Looking Back at Demon Slayer by the Numbers

There are plenty of obvious reasons why Demon Slayer has captured so many hearts—its compelling story, emotionally resonant characters (even the villains), and its stunning animation.
It also provided emotional comfort to many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in this section, let’s take a more data-driven approach and explore measurable insights to better understand its widespread appeal.

Why Demon Slayer Is Loved: A Look at Google Trends

Let’s examine how interest in Demon Slayer changed over time through Google Trends data for searches in Japan.
Google Trends scores the popularity of search terms on a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating peak search volume.

From the start of its serialization in 2016 through 2019, Demon Slayer saw little search activity.
However, following the launch of the anime in 2019, search interest surged dramatically.
By late 2020—when Demon Slayer: Mugen Train was released in theaters—the trend score nearly hit 100.
This clearly shows the massive impact the Mugen Train film had on public awareness and popularity.

Looking at the average yearly Google Trends scores, we can see a dramatic surge starting in 2019.
In 2020, Demon Slayer reached an overwhelming peak, yet even after that, it consistently maintained a score between 10 and 20.

What’s especially noteworthy is that this level of interest persisted even during periods when the anime wasn’t airing and after the manga had concluded.
Over the past six years, Demon Slayer has sustained a steady presence in public consciousness, indicating that it has firmly cemented itself as a beloved title among anime fans.

We also analyzed Google Trends data for individual characters.
Among the main cast, Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka stood out with significantly higher search volumes—surpassing even the protagonist Tanjiro and Rengoku, whose popularity skyrocketed after the film release.
This shows that the presence of compelling characters beyond the main lead is one of the key factors behind Demon Slayer’s enduring popularity.

Overall, Demon Slayer saw a dramatic rise in popularity following the anime's debut in 2019, and the overwhelming success of the Mugen Train film solidified the franchise’s brand power.
In addition, the series features multiple characters who rival the protagonist in popularity. This helps sustain a strong and engaged fanbase—through fanfiction, character pairings, and other forms of fan-driven content.

Not only does Demon Slayer excel in storytelling and visual quality, but it also succeeds in areas like character development and multimedia strategy.
All of these elements are woven together in a well-balanced way, creating a powerful and lasting brand.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored what makes Demon Slayer so captivating through a data-driven lens.
The manga’s explosive sales and the spike in search demand around 2020 are still fresh in many people’s memories—including my own—and even now, those numbers are nothing short of astonishing when revisited.

The series has continued to maintain its popularity, and now, it finally enters the long-awaited final arc.
What will become of the Kamado siblings?
How will the ultimate battles against the Upper Rank demons—and Muzan himself—unfold?
Fans are also eager to see how the anime’s visual quality and box office performance will turn out.

As a fan myself, I’m excited to witness the conclusion of this story and to be part of its legacy.

Story Overview: Demon Slayer – Mugen Castle Arc

Tanjiro Kamado, determined to restore his demon-turned sister Nezuko to humanity, joins the Demon Slayer Corps. Alongside comrades Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, Tanjiro battles formidable demons, growing stronger and forming unbreakable bonds.

In previous arcs, Tanjiro fought alongside elite Hashira warriors: the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku in Mugen Train, the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui in Entertainment District, and the Mist and Love Hashira—Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji—in Swordsmith Village.

During the intensive Hashira Training to prepare for the ultimate showdown against the demons, the demon lord Muzan Kibutsuji infiltrates the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the Ubuyashiki Estate. As the Hashira and Tanjiro rush to protect their leader, they are suddenly cast into a mysterious dimension.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle MAIN TRAILER