Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibahas been one of the biggest successes in shonen anime and manga in years, joining the likes ofMy Hero AcademiaandAttack on Titanas one of the major hits in mainstream anime of the past decade. The manga, which will be reaching its conclusion next month, started publication in 2016 and saw huge success when its anime adaptation from beloved animation studio Ufotable began in 2019. While it was recently announced thatDragon Ball Z: Kakarotdeveloper CyberConnect2will be developing a 3D fighting game, Korean developer Tennine has tried to get the jump on them, albeit through less than legal means.
Tennine launched a mobile RPG titledGwisal-ui Goem(orThe Ear Slaying Sword, in English) on a April 24th 2020 featuring art and narrative elements lifted directly from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga series and its anime adaptation. While the developer initially denied the plagiarism accusations, the developers announced yesterday that after only five days of service, they would be ending support and de-listing the game and its servers on April 29th.
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Despite removing the game from digital storefronts and blocking sales of the game’s microtransactions, the developers have still not admitted to the game’s blatant plagiarism, instead claiming the game’s removal was due to “various problems” and the staff'’s “immaturity.” Elements lifted directly from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga include character designs based off the series’s protagonist Tanjiro Kamado and the demon designs to name a few, as well as narrative elements such as the protagonist’s family having been killed by demons, leading him to go on a quest to vanquish all demons.
While this seems like the end for this scandal for now,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibafans will be happy to know that the anime will be receiving a mobile battle royale game of its own in the form ofKimetsu no Yaiba: Keppu Kengeki Royale, which currently has no announced localization but is planned for release in Japan later this year. More excitingly,Dragon Ball Z: KakarotandNaruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Stormdeveloper CyberConnect2 has announced its plans to develop an action game for PlayStation 4 titledDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Hinokami Keppanuutanwhich will be published by Aniplex and released in 2021.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibastarted publication in February 2016 from manga author Koyoharu Gotouge in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and received a26-episode anime adaptationfrom animation studio Ufotable in 2019. The anime will be followed up by a film titledDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Train, set to release in Japanese theaters in October 2020. The manga is set to release its final chapter on May 9th.
