FIRST LOOK: ‘Demon Slayer’ exhibit in QC opens a portal to the world of hashiras and kizukis
On a rainy Friday afternoon, the upper-rank four demon Nakime seemingly plucked her biwa and teleported us to the third floor of the new Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City. Unlike the unfortunate members of the Demon Slayer Corps, we did not fall into the abyss of the Infinity Castle, but had the luxury of escalators to travel to Japan's Taishō Period, which spanned from 1912 to 1926. This would mean that the big bad, Demon King Muzan, predates Michael Jackson’s hairstyle and outfit by decades.
I digress. Finally, after being pushed back twice, the "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition" is now open for aspiring Hashiras, Kizukis, and swordsmiths to enjoy. The title is quite a mouthful but as fans of the anime, the movie, and the manga would know, long titles have been part of Demon Slayer’s charm.
Those unaware of what Demon Slayer is all about—it is a manga and anime series that centers on charcoal maker Tanjiro’s journey as a demon slayer, in hopes of finding a cure for his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon by the Muzan.
I can keep telling you about the story but it’s best to make use of your streaming service subscriptions to enjoy ufotable’s visual masterpiece. Don’t worry, the movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which currently holds the title of the biggest anime film of all time, has been integrated in Season 2.
Seemingly playing Demon Slayer Corps head Kagaya Ubuyashiki is Happy Sy-Go, chief operating officer of Pulp Live World, the parent company of Pulp Live Spaces+ that handles the Demon Slayer exhibition, in partnership with anime licensing company MUSE.
“I hope through this, we can explore a new dimension, a new world, aside from the ones we are used to in the Philippines,” said the event promoter, more popularly known for bringing K-pop and K-drama stars to the country. “This is the first time this is happening in the Philippines, and we truly hope this won’t be the last time.”
Entering the exhibit, we are greeted by Ubuyashiki’s identical children, guiding us through the events of Demon Slayer Season 1 - Tanjiro Kamada, Unwavering Resolve Arc (2019), which includes the entrance exam at Mouth Fukijasane and the Battle of Mount Natagumo against a family of spider demons. Must-try photo spots are the recreation of Tanjiro’s Water Breathing, the Demon Slayer Headquarters featuring the Hashiras, and the Butterfly Mansion, where you can recuperate after a long fight.
The next stop is scenes from Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train (2020) or the first part of Demon Slayer Season 2 - Mugen Train (2022) brought to life. This includes the Fire Hashira Rengoku’s Hinokami Kagura, his flashback-triggering room, and the demon-possessed Mugen Train.
Last but not least are displays from the second half of Demon Slayer Season 2, the Entertainment District Arc (2022). Check out the brothel targeted by demon siblings Daki and Gyutaro and the Sound Hashira Tengen’s ninja mice.
Fans can admire replicas of iconic anime weapons and pieces by animators and directors in all zones, though photography is not allowed. Make sure to follow this rule, lest you will be kicked out and might start your origin story as a bloodthirsty demon.
Demon slayer aspirants can also partake in an online game while touring the exhibition. Upon completion, they get a Certificate of Training, stamped by the head of Ubayashiki clan himself.
A Demon Slayer store then wraps up your journey. Bring home exclusive and limited-edition Philippine designs of Demon Slayer merchandise that feature Tengen on a jeepney, Inosuke in Chocolate Hills, Tanjiro in Palawan’s Subterranean River, Zenitsu celebrating the MassKara Festival in Bacolod, and Nezuko enjoying Halo-Halo.
Of course, licensed Demon Slayer collectibles abound in the store, such as mousepads, bags, pouches, uniforms, shirts, socks, fabric wall scrolls, action figures, acrylic displays, coasters, and glasses.
A Gashapon vending machine is also installed for everyone to redeem a Demon Slayer collectible for P100 a token.
All that touring and shopping can give you a Rengoku appetite. Satiate your hunger and quench your thirst at the Demon Slayer snack bar. Its menu includes a bowl of chicken poppers, yakisoba, beef yakiniku, ebi tendon, and taiyaki (cheese or chocolate) for P350 each, and refreshing beverages like gulaman, slushees, and cucumber lemonade juice for P300.
Running from Aug. 3 to Oct. 27, the exhibition’s tickets cost P1,040 for adults and P690 for children aged 4-12. Fans can also avail Collection Package A for P1,590 which includes a single admission ticket and a metal bookmark, and Collection Package B for P1,380 which adds a character ID card on top of the single admission ticket. Tickets can be purchased at Pulp Tickets, Ticketnet, and SM Tickets outlets and websites.
The "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition" operates Mondays to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
As fans wait for the three-part finale movie of Demon Slayer set in Infinity Castle, make sure to relive the best moments of Tanjiro and Nezuko’s adventures. It’s time to wake your friends who are sleeping like Zenitsu and thunder-clap-and-flash your way to this immersive Demon Slayer pop-up space.
