Last Friday, my older brother and I got to experience the very first Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration exhibition in the Philippines. I’ve gone to museums before so I know the drill – walk, look, read, and move on. However, what makes this particular exhibition my favorite is how I strongly feel connected to all the incredible works of author Koyoharu Gotoge and studio Ufotable. Today, I realized that I’ve fallen in love with the anime all over again, but this time, with a newfound appreciation for everything in between.
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition can be found on the third floor of New Gateway, Quezon City, Philippines. I was greeted by a line of noble Hashira standees as soon as I got off the escalator. From there, it’s easy to recognize the anime’s aesthetic with the black walls and iconic patterns, not to mention the beautiful LED posters guiding you toward the exhibition’s entrance. I was so excited to get inside.
The exhibition has a really important rule though – no photography is allowed in areas marked prohibited. The staff reminded us politely yet firmly to not take any pictures of the artwork and display. I was honestly bummed about this until I was in the presence of the elegant pieces of the exhibition. I realized that yeah, these are works of art that deserve the utmost care and respect! I’m sure real fans would understand too.
The upside of this rule is that I was able to be more mindful and present. As I walked past the entrance, the room darkened and the violet glow of the wisteria flowers illuminated the Mount Fujikasane room. The nostalgic first-episode voice lines of Giyu Tomioka (Takahiro Sakurai) and Sakonji Urokodaki (Hochu Otsuka) echoed throughout the halls, giving me goosebumps. There was also an introduction message on the left that welcomed guests, and I noticed that it was dated 2020 – the year the first exhibition launched in Japan. It’s amazing that in four years, it made its way to Taipei, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and now, the Philippines.
After that, I seemingly got lost in my own whirlwind of emotions. It was a mix of excitement, appreciation, and tearful joy. The Demon Slayer character scrolls had the most vibrant colors under the light, while the atmospheric rooms pulled me into the nostalgic stories of the anime’s first season.
The forged Nichirin swords, tucked behind their glass cases, radiated honor and power. When I saw the sword hilt of Rengoku – the man who said the unforgettable “Set your heart ablaze” in the Mugen Train arc – I felt a pang in my chest as I thought about how he continues to inspire not just Tanjiro, but all of us as well.
And then I had this extraordinary moment of having the Battle of Mount Natagumo room for myself. The Concentrated Breathing viewing almost felt like an IMAX cinema and it reminded me of when I watched Demon Slayer for the first time. It was incredible. And the one thing I especially enjoyed was the mesmerizing traditional Japanese ink-wash painting art style.
Demon Slayer producer Yuma Takahashi once shared in an interview that Tanjiro’s water breathing technique is all composed of hand-drawn elements, with little 3DCG in the final work. This ukiyo-animation style is absolutely stunning to watch, and when matched up with the magnificent musical arrangements by Yuki Kaijura and Go Shiina, the scenes transform into a phenomenal cinematic experience. Because of this Mount Natagumo display, the exhibit felt too surreal. It was very cool.
The Demon Slayer exhibition also features a display of signed illustrations, storyboards, keyframe artworks, drawing processes, and behind-the-scenes animations that are all amazing to see up close. From the messy sketch on paper to the rendered animated version, and even the specially made collection of shikishi boards! It is just delightfully fascinating. And having them all together side by side like this really shows how much the anime is passionately loved by its creators.
At the end of the exhibit, I received a certificate for passing my Hashira and Total Concentration Breathing training with Ubuyashiki’s signature. And then voila, the merchandise store! Of course, I had to bring home a souvenir, so I got the Philippine exclusive tumbler, Giyu’s wall scroll, the beautiful Haori, and a last-minute gacha purchase (I got Zenitsu’s at the MassKara Festival).
The food here is also great and you can also bring home the cup sleeves for another remembrance. Don’t also miss out on seeing the large inflatables around the Gateway mall — they’re so cute!
All in all, my experience at the Demon Slayer Exhibition was wonderful and inspiring. I spent a long time inside, slowly absorbing as much as I could. The immersive experience of the exhibition was a refreshing way to interact with the anime’s compelling story, on top of the traditional wall displays. The vibrant visuals, creative sets, cinematic sounds, moody lights, and even the cold temperature – all these elements in the exhibit surround and transport you into the world of Demon Slayer. No words can describe how happy I am to be here in the same era as this series.
There’s plenty more about the exhibition that I could tell you, but I don’t want to spoil the fun. Just as it was shared in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, this is the first of its kind in the Philippines, and hopefully not the last. So come as you are, and make sure to spend time with every artwork and object. Look at the colors, intricacies, and whatnot – it’s there for you to appreciate, to see the beauty of the art and story that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition is now officially open at the New Gateway 2, Quezon City, Philippines, and will run until October 27, 2024. Regular Admission is priced at PHP 880.00 while Kid Admission is PHP 550.00. Tickets are available to purchase at PULP Tickets, TicketNet, SM Tickets, and SM Ticket outlets (additional fees may vary). The event is organized by PULP Spaces+, Muse Communication, ACO MEDIA, and Mediasphere Communication.
A very big and heartfelt thank you to Muse Asia and Pulp Spaces for inviting me to the media launch event of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition in the Philippines. A special shoutout also to Miho, thanks for being awesome, and a big hug to my Kuya Carlo who introduced KNY to me in 2019 when we were timezones apart!
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