Demon Slayer star Takahiro Sakurai admits he’s starstruck by Rajinikanth: He has a very solid presence...

Demon Slayer star Takahiro Sakurai praises Rajinikanth

As the buzz around Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 builds in India ahead of its release on 12 September, one of the anime’s most iconic voices has made a surprising confession — he’s a fan of Indian cinema. And not just any fan. He’s completely in awe of one name in particular: Rajinikanth.

Takahiro Sakurai, the voice behind Demon Slayer’s calm and stoic Giyu Tomioka — and also the legendary Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy — recently opened up in an interview with Hindustan Times, sharing his admiration for Indian stars and filmmakers.

When asked whether he could imagine dubbing for Rajinikanth, Sakurai smiled and replied, “I don’t think I will be able to. He has a very solid presence and a deep voice.” It was said half in jest, but full of admiration.

He also recalled the impact Muthu, Rajinikanth’s 1995 Tamil blockbuster, had on Japanese audiences. When it released in Japan in 1998, it was a full-blown cultural moment, grossing $400,000 and introducing Indian cinema to a whole new fan base. That record stood for years until SS Rajamouli’s RRR stormed through Japanese cinemas, earning a record-breaking $2.4 million.

Sakurai didn’t hold back in praising Rajamouli either. He spoke highly of both Baahubali and RRR, applauding their emotional storytelling and cinematic scale — and how they resonate across languages and cultures.

Demon Slayer has now firmly established itself as a global phenomenon, the upcoming Infinity Castle arc is set to ride the wave of anime’s growing popularity in India.

Sakurai’s love for Indian's has only added to the cultural exchange that stories like these inspire.

Sakurai's observations serve as a reminder that stories that are told from the heart can transcend all boundaries, whether it is because of Rajinikanth's unparalleled on-screen persona or the amazing artistic quality of anime.