Author of Demon Slayer

Who is the enigmatic mangaka responsible for the worldwide phenomenon that is Demon Slayer? Boasting a captivating storyline and award-winning animation, this series has solidified itself as a prominent member of the modern anime landscape.

First published in February 2016 in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, the Demon Slayer manga quickly gained popularity. However, it experienced a surge in fanbase after the anime adaptation was released. Despite this, very little is known about the author. If you're curious, here's everything we know about the creator of Demon Slayer.

Who wrote Demon Slayer?

A quick search (or glance at the manga) will reveal that Demon Slayer was written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge.

What is Demon Slayer about?

- Nevertheless, with no identifiable social media presence and concealed behind a charming crocodile avatar, our understanding of the mysterious artist has been constructed from various clues scattered throughout the years.

Who is Koyoharu Gotouge?

Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer chronicles the remarkable journey of Kamado Tanjiro. Transitioning from a carefree charcoal vendor to a determined young man burdened with immense responsibility, he sets out on a mission to seek vengeance for his family, who fell victim to a savage demon attack. With his younger sister Nezuko as the lone survivor, Tanjiro faces the daunting challenge of vanquishing the demon Muzan Kibutsuji and halting Nezuko’s transformation into a demon before it’s too late.

Happy Birthday Koyoharu Gotouge Sensei! The talented mangaka is now 34 years old and holds the distinction of being the only mangaka to appear in Time's annual list of 100 most influential people. Their first serialized series became the 9th best-selling manga of all time. #鬼滅の刃

Koyoharu Gotouge, the manga artist behind Demon Slayer, uses a pen name and comes from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The 34-year-old artist's hometown is located in Kyushu, a mountainous island known for its large population and industrial presence, which contrasts with the real-life locations around Tokyo featured in the manga.

Koyoharu Gotouge’s career

The author employs a pseudonym to preserve their anonymity, a practice frequently seen in the manga and anime community. While their true face remains concealed, they have chosen to represent themselves with the avatar of a bespectacled alligator, leaving behind subtle hints about their identity.

In 2013, Koyoharu Gotoge's 45-page one-shot manga, Kagarigari, provided manga fans with their first look into the world of Demon-Slaying at the 70th Jump Treasure Newcomer Manga Awards.

In the years that followed, Gotoge created a series of one-shot shonen manga, including Rokkotsu-san and Haeniwa no Zigzag. However, it was in 2016 that the manga landscape was changed forever with the launch of Kimetsu no Yaiba. Loosely inspired by Kagarigari, this groundbreaking series evolved into the highly successful Demon Slayer franchise.

Is Koyoharu Gotouge a woman?

Hey, I recently discovered some important information about Koyoharu Gotōge at Anime Expo that might be of interest to English-speaking fans. According to Demon Slayer producer Yuma Takahashi, Gotōge prefers not to be addressed using female pronouns.

The author intentionally chose not to disclose their gender identity, preferring gender-neutral pronouns for personal reasons or to maintain anonymity. Despite this, fans have still speculated about the author's identity.

The mangaka prefers they/them pronouns, leading many to believe they may identify as non-binary. However, fans have recently speculated that Koyoharu Gotouge is a woman due to an incident at the 2019 Madfest’s Demon Slayer panel in Perth, Australia, where the anime staff referred to the mangaka as "Kanojo," a Japanese term meaning "she." Some fans see this as confirmation of the mangaka’s identity, but it’s important to note that gendered pronouns are not commonly used in Japanese, so the use of "Kanojo" may not hold any significance.

Koyoharu Gotouge’s inspirations for Demon Slayer

Another leak from a staff member at Weekly Shonen Jump suggests that the author may be a woman. Yet without an official confirmation from the mangaka, there is no definite way to verify Koyoharu Gotouge’s identity or how they prefer to be identified.

Demon slayer pic.twitter.com/UfxBwwU14q

— 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬 (@bestmangapost) December 1, 2023

Renowned for its distinctive and acclaimed art style, WSJ editor Kohei Ohnishi has praised Koyoharu Gotouge for showcasing "serious nature, honesty, and strong sense of responsibility" through the pages of the series, particularly evident in the main character Kamado Tanjiro.

In a rarely seen interview from 2016, Gotoge also disclosed the top 3 manga that inspired Demon Slayer, offering additional understanding of their private personality.

Furthermore, Gotoge disclosed that Bleach's Gotei 13, the military division of the Soul Society, served as the inspiration for the enigmatic Demon Slayer Corps.

In the tradition of these three iconic Shonen Jump series, Koyoharu Gotoge's Kimetsu no Yaiba has solidified its place as one of the most beloved Shonen series of all time. Additionally, Koyoharu Gotoge has established themselves as a enigmatic figure in the anime and manga industry.

Be sure to catch Demon Slayer on Netflix before the highly anticipated next season premieres in 2024.

You can read our other Demon Slayer coverage here, and our anime coverage below:

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Demon Slayer, I am thrilled to learn more about the enigmatic creator behind this captivating series. Koyoharu Gotouge's ability to craft such a compelling storyline and bring it to life with stunning animation is truly remarkable. The fact that they have achieved such widespread success while maintaining their anonymity only adds to the intrigue surrounding them.

I find it particularly intriguing that Gotouge chose to use a pen name and an alligator avatar to represent themselves. This level of privacy is rare in the world of manga and anime, and it has only served to fuel speculation and curiosity among fans. The fact that they prefer gender-neutral pronouns further adds to the mystery surrounding their identity. While some fans believe this may indicate that they identify as non-binary, it is important to respect their privacy and not make assumptions.