Filipino otakus, rejoice! You no longer need to book plane tickets abroad just to visit the famed exhibition for one of the most beloved series in recent memory, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Total Concentration Exhibition is now officially in the Philippines. Be sure to make time to visit the site at Level 3 of the New Gateway Mall 2.

Presented by PULP Spaces+, Muse Communication, ACO MEDIA, and Mediasphere Communication, the Demon Slayer exhibition is the first of its kind in the Philippines. Previously, it had very successful runs in Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

On August 2, the Grand Launch was held at the Quantum Skyview of the New Gateway Mall 2. It was inaugurated by the executives of PULP and their associates, with the special appearance of a very important mascot – Tanjiro himself.

Demon Slayer is an anime series based on the manga by Koyaharu Gotouge. It follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a teenage boy who lost his family to a savage attack by demons. His younger sister Nezuko was the sole survivor, but the problem is she became a demon. He then joins the Demon Slayer Corps to fight demons and find a way to cure his sister. Since the anime series premiered in 2019, it has captured people’s hearts and imaginations, making it one of the most prominent anime of our time.

If you are a Demon Slayer fan, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t miss the Total Concentration Exhibition. It features an immersive exploration of the important plot details from the beginning until the Entertainment District Arc. The experience itself is fascinating and enriching.

Here is a short guide to what the exhibition offers.

Relive the epic moments. Admire the art.

First and foremost, the exhibition is a visual treat that must be appreciated slowly. The walls are lined with portraits and sketches of each character in the world of Demon Slayer, including Tanjiro’s Squad, the Hashira, the demons, and even the side characters. Beside them are some valuable information that will surely deepen your understanding of the series.

There are also line art panels of the animation sequences of the pivotal scenes in the show. Artworks by various animators and artists are also given a spot in the exhibition.

Enter all the rooms.

The exhibition has dedicated areas for different rooms that focus on certain characters. Among the things you’ll see are the life-sized replica of the Nichirin Swords, their haori (a jacket worn over the kimono), and the Infinity Castle. Make sure to sweep all the areas since some are slightly hidden. There are many more, but we’ll leave those as elements of surprise.

Tip #1: You might need to crouch down or take a peek at holes in the walls in some instances.

Tip #2: Watch out for the mini-game. Scan the QR code and accomplish all feats for a special souvenir before the exit.

Strike a pose!

There are photo zones spread out across the exhibition, and each of them are beautifully rendered replica of the anime scenes – the overflowing wisteria atop Mount Fujikasane, the Mugen Train carriage overlooking the fight between Rengoku and Akaza, the Entertainment District fight with Daki and Gyutaro and more. Strike as many poses as you want. Cosplaying is most welcome as well.

Tip: Bring your friends for maximum enjoyment. Like Tanjiro’s adventure, the experience is better when you share it with others.

Bring home some souvenirs.

An adventure is better remembered with some souvenirs. After the exhibition, you’ll see a wide array of merchandise you can purchase. There are stickers, acrylic stands, passport cases, posters, shirts, photocards, tumblers, mats, and figures.

The Philippine-exclusive artworks are must-haves. The exhibition is the only place you can get Tanjiro with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Nezuko’s Halo-Halo, Zenitsu at the Masskara Festival, Inosuke with the Chocolate Hills and Tengen’s Jeepney.

Tip: Other items (pin badge and haori) are available for pre-order. Ask the cashier or staff to assist you.

Itadakimasu!

After thoroughly enjoying the exhibition, you can also savor some tasty treats and drinks at the cafe. They have rice meals (chicken poppers, ebi tendon, beef yakiniku), yakisoba, and taiyaki (cheese or chocolate). For the drinks, they have gulaman, slushies, and cucumber lemonade juice. Each meal and beverage order comes with a special bowl or cup sleeve of a Demon Slayer character.

Snap photos with the cute inflatables.

For extra fun, you can also try looking for the giant Demon Slayer inflatables spread out across Gateway Mall. There are 6 in total: Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, Zenitsu, Rengoku and Tengen.

Tip: Many of them are placed near escalators so keep your eyes peeled.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Total Concentration Exhibition runs until October 27 at the 3rd Level of New Gateway Mall 2. Tickets are available via TicketNet, SM Tickets, and PULP Tickets. Don’t miss it!

Special thanks to PULP Spaces+!

by Sandra Mae Laureano