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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

In all of this, Demon Slayer offers a compelling perspective on modern manga masculinity. In its efforts to navigate different forms of masculinity in a historic space, there’s, simply put, a lot happening on the subject and much to discuss. 14/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

Inosuke’s refusal to perceive the obvious is likewise laughable. He claims to be the leader even as he follows Tanjiro. He refuses to even pronounce Tanjiro’s name correctly until the end of the series when he’s in a position of having to kill his friend. 13/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

Where Tanjiro can be seen to exude otaku masculinity, Inosuke is the opposite: a primitive holdover from an earlier generation of manga, a relic from the past, here made laughable in contrast to a new manga order. 12/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

Inosuke is a human raised by boars (the head is that of his adopted mom). This act is both hypermasculine and deeply Freudian and, in keeping with the tone this sets, Inosuke is portrayed as comic relief and as a foil to Tanjiro. 11/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

This cosmology, of course, makes the relationships between male-presenting characters all the more important and here’s where the shirtless, sword-wielding man with an actual boar’s head covering his face comes in. 10/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

Importantly though, Demon Slayer offers a wide cosmology of male-presenting characters with different masculine attributes and characteristics ranging from gentle giant (Gyomei) to actual sociopath (Sanemi), all united under a broader umbrella of heroism. 9/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

To enable this fantasy, Demon Slayer portrays a world in which kindness, innocence, and a positive attitude are heroic virtues. Predictably, the hero is consistently rewarded by this world for such virtues, even in impossible circumstances. 8/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

The widespread adoption of otaku masculinity in manga thus signals a reader-surrogate effect that offers the promise of transition from manga fanboy to world-altering hero with nothing more than the right attitude and a bit of discipline. 7/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

“This complicates shōnen manga’s representation of masculinity, as its typical purview has either been muscle-bound fighters or naïve boys on the way to becoming such muscle-bound fighters.” -Alec Sigley 6/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4m

Beginning with the lead, Tanjiro is portrayed as an iconic example of “otaku masculinity” in which a manga features the “portrayal of an otaku as protagonist, thereby mirroring manga’s stereotypical consumer within the narrative.” 5/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5m

This does not, however, mean that Demon Slayer has nothing to offer on the subject of masculinity. Where the male-presenting characters are concerned, Demon Slayer shows a dense engagement with masculinist culture. 4/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5m

There are female Hashira (highest rank of slayers), for example, but one is underdeveloped, while the other is overdetermined by her sexuality (and lack of sexual agency) which then becomes the subject of a number of misogynistic tropes. 3/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5m

First and foremost, the gender roles are quite strong in Demon Slayer, with male characters often foregrounded at the expense of female characters who need to be sheltered and protected or whose power is subordinated to a male counterpart. 2/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5m

Threaded throughout the violent chaos of Demon Slayer is an intriguing portrayal of modern manga masculinity, one that moves against the series’ historical backdrop whilst embracing the medium it operates in metatextually. #demonslayer 1/14

Three male demon slayer characters in fighting stances

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Reposted by Sequential Scholars

Anna F Peppard PhD @annapeppard.bsky.social · 1d

Have you heard the good news...? @sequentialscholars.bsky.social is doing two weeks on Demon Slayer! #DemonSlayer

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

Demon Slayer is a manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge, published from 2016-2020 in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. The series follows Tanjiro’s journey to become a great warrior in order to avenge the murder of his family. #demonslayer 1/7

demon slayer cover, Tanjiro defending his sister Nezuko who is turning into a demon with a katana

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

In the weeks ahead, we’ll explore the nuances and impact of a manga juggernaut with its finger on the pulse of what modern manga readers are connecting with most. 7/7

Demon slayer cover where Tanjiro and Nezuko are waving

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

The October 2020 release of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train set the record as the highest grossing anime film of all time as well as that of the highest grossing Japanese film of all-time. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle just broke records itself. 6/7

Infographic showing Demon slayer Mugen Train earned 1.3 billion yen while infinity castle received 1.8 billion yen

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

Despite the series’ relative youth, it is already one of the best-selling mangas of all time, with over 220 million copies in circulation. Arguably, its success as an anime (both TV and film) is even greater. 5/7

Demon slayer infinity castle movie poster featuring Tanjiro in the middle while other characters surround him posed in fighting stances

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

Interestingly, this period also traces its name to a passage from the I Ching which speaks to achieving excellence through morally correct behaviour, something that Tanjiro exhibits to great effect in the series. 4/7

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

The story unfolds within Taisho-era Japan (1912-1926) and offers a rich portrayal of Japanese history and mythology with a particular engagement with the rise of modernity in Japan through industrialization and urbanization. 3/7

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

Accompanying Tanjiro is his sister Nezuko, spared from death at the hands of demons, but now a demon herself. Along the way, Tanjiro is opposed by the demons of Muzan and aided/trained by the Demon Slayer Corps. 2/7

frame of characters who helped Tanjiro and Nezeko

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 1d

Demon Slayer is a manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge, published from 2016-2020 in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. The series follows Tanjiro’s journey to become a great warrior in order to avenge the murder of his family. #demonslayer 1/7

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 4d

For our next unit, we’ll be diving katana-first into the world of Demon Slayer, a shonen saga steeped in mythology, moral altruism, and (somehow) Michael Jackson. Stay at the ready. #demonslayer

Demon slayers huddled in one frame, Tanjiro is holding spider lilies

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5d

Rache Smythe’s “Lore Olympus” and the History of the Webtoons Platform 6/6
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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 13d

Even if the medium isn’t the message, it certainly still matters, and when discussing Lore Olympus, the opportunity arises to discuss the complex history of the Webtoons platform that houses, distributes, and, in many ways, shapes what Lore Olympus has become. #LoreOlympus #Webtoons. 1/13

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 5d

Hades as Romantic Hero in Rachel Smythe's "Lore Olympus" 5/6
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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 15d

In the mythic “Abduction of Persephone,” Hades kidnaps Persephone and tries to force her to remain by his side in the underworld. Rachel Smythe’s #Lore Olympus presents a very different version of the Hades/Persephone relationship, which includes remaking Hades into a romantic leading man. 1/13

Alt-text: A representative image of Hades from Lore Olympus. He is a blue-colored man with scars and white hair, taking a pensive shower.

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