Koyoharu Gotouge is a mangaka aka manga artist from Japan whose name is currently rising along with his greatest work of this century, namely Kimetsu no Yaiba or what is also known as the title Demon Slayer.
Interestingly, Koyoharu Gotouge is not the mangaka’s real name. It was just a pen name used to hide his true identity. His consistency in remaining anonymous even though his work is now widely known throughout the world is something that should be appreciated.
Even though he seems very secretive, this character, who usually uses a universal avatar with the image of a crocodile wearing glasses, has gone through several interview sessions. However, he has never revealed anything about his identity or personal life.
Instead, Gotouge provides quite a lot of information that is closely related to his work and works.
So, here are some facts about Koyoharu Gotouge that you must know, especially if you are a fan Kimetsu no Yaiba!
1. Gotouge apparently identifies as non-binary
Koyoharu Gotouge (kimetsu-no-yaiba.fandom)Throughout his career, Koyoharu Gotouge has never once shared his real name or personal photo. So, the public really doesn’t know whether he is a woman or a man. Gotouge usually refers to himself with neutral pronouns. This habit identifies Gotouge as hiding his true gender.
However, Gotouge’s gender was accidentally revealed at an anime festival that took place in Australia. At that time, one of the Panel’s transcripts was released Demon Slayer refers to Gotouge as “she”, so fans assume that he is a girl.
2. The only information known about Gotouge is his age
kimetsu-no-yaiba.fandomFortunately, fans are given the opportunity to get to know Koyoharu Gotouge a little more apart from his works, specifically by knowing the mangaka’s exact age.
It is noted that Gotouge is manga artist from Fukuoka Prefecture who was born on May 5, 1989. So, as of 2024, Gotouge should be 35 years old. Very young, right?
An editor Shounen Jump, namely Kohei Ohnishi also gave a brief description of Gotouge’s characteristics. According to him, author Kimetsu no Yaiba He is a serious figure, full of honesty, and has a high sense of responsibility. These traits are very in line with the character created by Gotouge, Tanjiro Kamado.
3. “100 Most Influential People” version Time Magazine
Mugen Train Arc (doc. Ufotable/ Kimetsu no Yaiba)Koyoharu Gotouge was named the first manga artist to make it onto the magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People” Time. This achievement follows a record Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train in its first week of screening in Japanese cinemas.
Since the celebration of this great achievement by Time Magazine in 2021, the popularity of the franchise Demon Slayer continues to experience drastic increases. In this way, the reach of Gotouge’s work will certainly continue to spread wider.
4. There are 3 manga that are the most inspiring KnY
dock. Pierrot/ BleachGotouge admits that he takes a lot of inspiration from other manga in order to present quality content through Kimetsu no Yaiba. However, there are three titles that have had the biggest influence during the mangaka’s creative process.
These three titles include: Bleach by Tite Kubo, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure works by Hirohiko Araki, and Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto.
Another manga that also played an important role in inspiring Gotouge and his work is Gintama written by Hideaki Sorachi.
One of the most prominent aspects that Gotouge implements in the plot Kimetsu no Yaiba is Gotei 13 in Bleach which he adapted into the Demon Slayer Corps.
5. Gotouge creates characters that are close to real life
dock. Ufotable/ Kimetsu no YaibaApart from being inspired by other great manga that has existed, Koyoharu Gotouge doesn’t turn a blind eye to the reality of his surrounding environment. To be precise, he tends to use real-life inspiration to create the characters in his work.
According to Gotouge, a character that is worth creating is a character that is created realistically. For this reason, he will create characters who are close to the people around him, be they family or friends.
By taking direct references from those closest to him, it helps Gotouge to instill personal feelings into the related characters.
6. Gotouge plays an active role in the creation of the anime adaptation KnY
Tanjiro and Nezuko. (Doc. ufotable/Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)When a manga is adapted into an anime series, it is quite rare if the author directly involved in the production process. As a result, the anime production team does not need more time to ask for input from the manga author, and the adaptation seems to be a separate work from the original manga.
However, the anime adaptation Kimetsu no Yaiba actively involving Koyoharu Gotouge in the process. Producer Yuma Takahashi even admitted that he and Gotouge continue to communicate in order to create an adaptation that is suitable in all aspects.
So, the success of Studio Ufotable cannot be separated from Gotouge’s important role.
7. KnY made based on manga one-shot Gotouge’s first work
Kagarigari – Koyoharu Gotouge (kimetsu-no-yaiba.fandom)Kagarari is Gotouge’s first work marking his debut as a mangaka. It is manga one-shots which was first published in 2013.
In general, Kagarari highlighting the story of the killing of the Devil. This is what inspired the series of plots presented in the world Kimetsu no Yaiba. The difference is, Kagarari recognized much more dark than Demon Slayer.
Apart from the story, the main character Kagarari also inspired the creation of the character Tanjiro Kamado, precisely from his sharp sense of smell and the scars on his face.
8. Kenshin Himura is the main inspiration for Tanjiro’s character
Gallop Studio/Rurouni KenshinAlthough previously mentioned that the main character Kagarari became a reference in the creation of the figure of Tanjiro Kamado, in fact the character Kenshin Himura from the series Rurouni Kenshin who is the main inspiration.
This reference is taken from the scars and red hair that are typical of Kenshin. Apart from that, Tanjiro also adapted Kenshin’s kind-hearted nature and determination to not kill unless necessary.
Then, looking at the characteristics of Yoriichi Tsugikuni that had been introduced up to that time, it is very likely that the figure of the legendary Demon Slayer was also inspired by Kenshin Himura.
9. Urokodaki’s reason for wearing a mask
dock. Ufotable/ Kimetsu no YaibaTanjiro and Giyu’s mentor, Sakonji Urokodaki, makes his first appearance with his trademark mask. According to Gotouge, the former Water Pillar apparently did not always wear his mask.
In the story, Urokodaki explains the reason why he always covers his face with a mask, namely because the devil he fights always makes fun of his gentle-looking face.
In fact, the real reason behind using the mask was because Gotouge felt that Urokodaki’s original face design was too plain and unattractive. For this reason, masks are used that can make the characters stand out more and have distinctive characteristics.
Indeed, thanks to this mask, Urokodaki’s mysteriousness really shines through.
10. The upcoming Gotouge project has a completely different setting than KnY
Final Selection Arc (doc. Ufotable/ Kimetsu no Yaiba)Final, fan books second official Kimetsu no Yaiba revealed Gotouge’s wishes after the anime Kimetsu no Yaiba finished. Gotouge said that he wanted to create a manga that was different from the genre sci-fi, romance, And comedy.
The idea first emerged when Gotouge watched a film about aliens. For him, trying something new might be a method refreshing which is fun after all these years working on the series dark fantasy.
Those are a series of facts about Koyoharu Gotouge, the anonymous figure behind Kimetsu no Yaiba whose popularity is on the rise. What do you think?
