By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine December 19, 2025
In a year where anime has firmly cemented its place in global pop culture, few voices resonate as powerfully as Zach Aguilar’s. As the English dub voice of Tanjiro Kamado in the blockbuster Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise, Aguilar has become synonymous with the compassionate yet fierce demon slayer who’s captured hearts worldwide. With the recent release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, which shattered records with a $70 million opening weekend—the biggest ever for an anime film—Aguilar sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss the phenomenon, his journey into voice acting, and what makes this series so special.
The film, honored with the International Animation Award at the Critics’ Choice Celebration of AAPI Cinema & Television and earning nominations for Golden Globe and Astra Film Awards, continues the epic story streaming on platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. Aguilar’s performance as Tanjiro has been a key part of its success, bringing depth to a character navigating profound loss and unbreakable determination.
Reflecting on the franchise’s explosive popularity, Aguilar shared his own surprise at its mainstream breakthrough. “I was an anime fan as a kid in middle school, and a lot of my friends didn’t really understand it,” he recalled. “To be part of something like this now, where anime is super popular and everybody loves it—it’s really surreal.”
He credits the series’ appeal to its mature storytelling. “People finally gave it a shot and realized the storylines are very in-depth, exploring more adult themes than traditional animation—serious topics like your entire family dying. For a teenager like Tanjiro to deal with that… it’s crazy, but really cool.”
Fans’ passion is evident at conventions, where Aguilar is a regular guest across the U.S. and internationally. “It’s so easy to have a great time when people come up and tell you how much they love you and what your work means to them,” he said. Many share how Demon Slayer has become a bonding experience for families, much like how Aguilar bonded with his dad over video games. “Now Demon Slayer is one of those things where people can connect and bond with each other. It’s really special.”
Of course, no fan encounter is complete without requests for iconic lines. “Usually it’ll be an attack move or a funny scene,” Aguilar laughed, recounting Tanjiro’s persistent “Mr. Giyu!” stalking moments or trending TikTok phrases delivered in character.
Recording during challenging times added emotional layers. Aguilar recorded parts of the previous Mugen Train arc in his home booth during COVID, and drew on those memories for a pivotal speech in Infinity Castle. “I did my best to reminisce about what happened with Rengoku—he was one of my favorites. I wanted those words to really cut through and showcase Tanjiro’s selfless, caring, yet fierce nature.”
On getting into character, Aguilar compares it to Tanjiro’s “Transparent World” flow state: vocal warm-ups and physical presence help him live in the moment. “Your body catches up with your mind.”
Aguilar’s path to voice acting began unconventionally. As a 12-year-old gamer on Xbox Live, he deepened his voice to command respect in lobbies filled with older players. “All of a sudden, everyone was like, ‘Yes sir!’ I got a team and respect—all because I changed my voice.” That sparked his interest, leading to classes and winning a competition at Anime Expo in 2014.
His advice for aspiring voice actors? Dive into performance of any kind—theater, on-camera, improv—because the craft is intimate and demanding. “The grind never stops. You can’t just do one role and be set.”
Aguilar’s “Hail Mary” moment came when a friend convinced him to enter that pivotal competition despite self-doubt. “If I’d let my inner demons win, I might not be here. The biggest thing holding you back is often yourself.”
His mantra? “Prove them wrong.” Early detractors questioned the viability of voice acting, but Aguilar’s obsession with anime and games fueled him. Today, with a massive following—including over 454,000 YouTube subscribers, 164,000 on Instagram, and 270,000 on X—he’s done just that.
Beyond Demon Slayer, Aguilar voices Genos in One Punch Man (streaming on Hulu), David Martinez in the acclaimed Netflix series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and roles in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, The Seven Deadly Sins, and more. His video game credits span Genshin Impact, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, NieR Replicant, and countless others.
Looking ahead, Aguilar teases exciting projects, including recent work on Disney Channel’s Miraculous Ladybug spin-off and upcoming original animation. But he’s most thrilled for more Demon Slayer. “The story is freaking awesome. Viewers are going to be on the edge of their seats—I got emotional just reading the manga.”
For newcomers, he calls Demon Slayer a perfect gateway anime: “Go see Infinity Castle in theaters. Take in the beautiful animation, music, and characters. I guarantee it won’t disappoint.”
As anime continues its global domination, voices like Zach Aguilar’s remind us why: heartfelt performances that turn stories into shared experiences.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is now playing in theaters. The series streams on Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll.
