‘Demon Slayer’ Author Among Time Magazine’s 100 Emerging Leaders

NEW YORK – Japanese illustrator Koyoharu Gotoge, author of the hit series “Demon Slayer,” has been selected as one of the world’s 100 most influential emerging leaders shaping the future in a list published Wednesday by Time magazine.

Gotoge was recognized in the “phenomena” category of Time 100 Next 2021 and the animated film in the series became the highest-grossing title in Japanese box office history.

“Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – the Movie: Mugen Train” racked up 32.5 billion yen ($ 307 million) at the end of December.

Set in Japan about 100 years ago, the story follows teenage protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, who is forced to fight demons after his family is massacred and his younger sister Nezuko is turned into a demon.

“The personality of the writer shines through the series, particularly in Tanjiro’s ‘serious nature, honesty and strong sense of responsibility’,” said the American magazine, citing the words of Kohei Onishi, editor of the cartoonist, who uses a pseudonym to maintain anonymity.

With the Demon Slayer television series now available through the Netflix video streaming service and the film set to premiere in North America later this year, “the scope of Gotouge’s work promises to go even further,” he said.

Time 100 Next lists 100 rising stars from around the world. Their categories also include artists, leaders, advocates, and innovators. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and British singer Dua Lipa are among those selected.

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