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Japanese Town Famous for Rice Paddy Art Honors This Year’s Design with ‘Demon Slayer’

Japanese Town Famous for Rice Paddy Art Honors This Year’s Design with ‘Demon Slayer’


Anime and manga represent some of the most significant cultural exports from Japan. Among them, *Demon Slayer* enjoys one of the most substantial fanbases, both in Japan and across the globe, boasting millions of readers and viewers. Due to its immense popularity, Gyoda (a city known for its annual rice paddy art project) dedicated their 2025 design to this iconic franchise in anticipation of a major release.

This technique, referred to as *tanbo art*, involves planting various types of rice in accordance with a precise design. Utilizing the different shades of the growing stalks as a color palette, the residents of Gyoda create enormous murals featuring a range of greens. Their creations are so large that they earned the Guinness World Record for “the world’s largest paddy art” in 2015.

This year, the featured rice paddy artwork highlights Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.* The design also commemorates the release of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba–The Movie: Infinity Castle*, which is the first part of the *Mugen Castle* trilogy, scheduled for release on July 18 in Japan. Displayed in his checkered outfit, the representation of Tanjiro spans nearly 3 hectares (around 7.4 acres). The portrait consists of 10,275 seedlings—the largest quantity ever used for a rice paddy art piece at Gyoda.

The creation of this artwork required two days of labor and a team of hundreds. On the initial day, 676 individuals participated in planting seeds, while 514 volunteers tackled the mud to plant the remaining seedlings the following day. Photos shared by the city government show participants diligently working as Tanjiro’s image gradually took form over the days.

The organizers anticipate that the artwork will reach its full glory by mid-July and expect it to remain visible until October. For fans of the *Demon Slayer* franchise who can’t visit Japan, photographer @haskap1017 has posted pictures and videos showing the progression of this rice paddy art this season.

Check out the specifics of this remarkable *Demon Slayer* fan art below, and prepare for the release of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba–The Movie: Infinity Castle*, hitting theaters in the United States on September 12.

Gyoda, a city in Japan famous for its annual rice paddy art, dedicated its latest design to the upcoming *Demon Slayer* film.

(c) Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable

The rice paddy artwork features Tanjiro Kamado from *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba*, depicted in his checkered outfit.

“June 16. Although they have just been planted, you can already see a faint design.”

Using the various shades of the stalks as a palette, the community of Gyoda creates massive murals in differing greens.

“We were fortunate to have excellent weather, perfect for rice planting!”

This year’s design comprises 10,275 seedlings—the greatest number ever for a rice paddy art installation in Gyoda.

“June 23. A week has elapsed since planting. The design is becoming more distinct.”

Bringing this piece to fruition involved two days of effort and a team of over 500 individuals.

Rice planting volunteers

Photographer @haskap1017 has shared some images and videos of this rice paddy art as it developed.

Sources: 2025 “Rice Field Art” in Gyoda; Huge 2.8-hectare ‘Demon Slayer’ anime rice paddy art project planned, Tanjiro will be eaten; Tanjiro Emerges in the Fields as Gyoda Unveils 2025 Rice Paddy Art

All images via Gyoda City.

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