"I’m swooning so hard," "Are Giyu stans still alive...?" Fans are losing it! ufotable's Shiojima-san receives a storm of praise for her handwritten Giyu Tomioka illustration.

Animation studio ufotable has released the latest information regarding a new collaboration dining event for the anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The visual of a handwritten illustration board (shikishi) by staff member Yuka Shiojima was unveiled, drawing significant attention from fans.

The newly announced item is a prize for the "Otano-shimi Kuji" (Fun Lottery) offered at the "Dialogue Collection DINING," an event commemorating the rebroadcast of the entire "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" anime series. As an introduction to the handwritten shikishi by ufotable staff, a stunning illustration of Giyu Tomioka (CV: Takahiro Sakurai) was released.

The released image captures Giyu standing quietly amidst a dreamlike flurry of white particles. The monochrome-style illustration makes excellent use of delicate strokes, impressively expressing Giyu's downcast, somewhat melancholic expression. The artwork was created by Ms. Shiojima, who served as an animation director and key animator for the TV anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc." This prize is prepared as a "HIROMA Exclusive — Double Chance Prize," and its main features include an exquisite angle that highlights the character's presence and meticulous detailing that conveys a sense of spatial depth.

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" is an animation based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotoge. The story begins when Tanjiro Kamado (CV: Natsuki Hanae), a young boy whose family was killed by demons, joins the "Demon Slayer Corps" in order to turn his sister, Nezuko Kamado (CV: Akari Kito), who has been transformed into a demon, back into a human. The anime production is handled by ufotable, and it has sparked a worldwide social phenomenon with its overwhelming visual beauty and dramatic storytelling. Currently, the franchise is expanding through various media mixes, including theatrical films and TV broadcasts of different arcs.

In response to this post, fans have flooded the comments with praise for Ms. Shiojima's artistic skill and Giyu's beauty, saying: "I’m swooning so hard," "Are Giyu stans still alive...?" "I’m falling for him all over again," "Aaaaaaaah, Shiojima-san!" and "That angle is god-tier...! I knew it was Shiojima-san’s work."

(C)Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable