Enjoy 'Demon Slayer' with Your Ears! Novelization Gets First-Ever Audiobook Release, Starting April 28
Otobank Inc. will release the first-ever audiobook of the 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Novelization' on its 'audiobook.jp' platform starting April 28, 2026. Featuring performances by four voice actors, this production offers a new immersive experience of the global phenomenon.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:52 (20 min after Collected)
Otobank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuya Kubota), operator of 'audiobook.jp,' the service with the most audiobook titles in Japan (*1), has produced an audiobook version of the popular 'Shueisha Mirai Bunko' series 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Novelization.' Distribution will begin on 'audiobook.jp' (including the subscription plan) sequentially from April 28, 2026. The first release will be 'Demon Slayer Novelization: Tanjirou and Nezuko, the Beginning of Fate.' Additionally, 'Demon Slayer Novelization: The Bonds of Siblings and the Demon Slayer Corps' is scheduled for release around summer 2026 (both by Koyoharu Gotouge / original story & art, Shuka Matsuda / author, Shueisha Mirai Bunko). We bring the world of 'Demon Slayer,' which has gained global popularity through manga and anime, as a 'new experience to be savored through recitation.'
*1. Investigated by Japan Marketing Research Organization in November 2023. Survey on the number of Japanese audiobook titles.
■ Audiobook Adaptation of 'Demon Slayer' Novelization
The 'Demon Slayer Novelization' series from 'Shueisha Mirai Bunko' is a novel series that portrays the story of the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge in an easy-to-read style unique to children's literature, loved by many readers.
This time, Otobank has produced an audiobook version of this series. Four voice actors—Tomoya Ito, Yasushi Bonkobara, Ryosuke Kanemoto, and Saeko Oki—play a variety of unique characters, including Tanjirou. Combined with sound effects and direction, it has become an immersive recitation work.
Even for those who have already experienced the original manga or anime, they can discover new charms through 'Listening to Demon Slayer.' Enjoy it in various scenes, such as during travel over Golden Week, during relaxation time, or when spending time with children.
Following these two works, more titles from the series are planned for sequential release.
■ Comment from Takahiro Mochizuki, Audiobook Production Director at Otobank Inc.
'We focused on how to convey the "strength of emotion" and "passion of the story" in Demon Slayer through sound alone. The cast and I have approached the work with great respect, and the recording sessions are always intense, whether it's a serious or a comical scene. In particular, the narration of the prose by Yasushi Bonkobara, which was very well received in the audiobook of "Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan: Short Story Collection" (Shueisha JUMP j BOOKS), enhances the sense of immersion and ties the whole story together beautifully. The story of Tanjirou and his friends has only just begun, but we will continue to push forward with this level of passion, and we hope you will follow our journey.'
■ Product Introduction
'Demon Slayer Novelization: Tanjirou and Nezuko, the Beginning of Fate' (Shueisha Mirai Bunko)
- Original Story/Art: Koyoharu Gotouge
- Author: Shuka Matsuda
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Production: Otobank
- Narrators: Tomoya Ito, Yasushi Bonkobara, Ryosuke Kanemoto, Saeko Oki
- Release Date: April 28, 2026
- Price: 1,188 yen
- Format: Individual purchase or 'audiobook.jp' subscription (1,330 yen/month)
- URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/274808
- Story: The first novelization of the mega-popular comic! In the Taisho era, Tanjirou, a kind-hearted boy who sells charcoal, loses his family to demons. His only surviving sister, Nezuko, has turned into a demon. To turn her back into a human and hunt the demon that killed his family, Tanjirou decides to follow the path of a demon slayer...
'Demon Slayer Novelization: The Bonds of Siblings and the Demon Slayer Corps' (Shueisha Mirai Bunko)
- Release Date: Scheduled for Summer 2026
- Format: Individual purchase or subscription plan
- Story: Tanjirou sets out on a journey to save Nezuko and avenge his family. He joins the 'Demon Slayer Corps,' meets Zenitsu and Inosuke, and begins working with them. Heading to Mt. Natagumo, they face a difficult battle against a family of spider demons...
*1. Investigated by Japan Marketing Research Organization in November 2023. Survey on the number of Japanese audiobook titles.
■ Audiobook Adaptation of 'Demon Slayer' Novelization
The 'Demon Slayer Novelization' series from 'Shueisha Mirai Bunko' is a novel series that portrays the story of the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge in an easy-to-read style unique to children's literature, loved by many readers.
This time, Otobank has produced an audiobook version of this series. Four voice actors—Tomoya Ito, Yasushi Bonkobara, Ryosuke Kanemoto, and Saeko Oki—play a variety of unique characters, including Tanjirou. Combined with sound effects and direction, it has become an immersive recitation work.
Even for those who have already experienced the original manga or anime, they can discover new charms through 'Listening to Demon Slayer.' Enjoy it in various scenes, such as during travel over Golden Week, during relaxation time, or when spending time with children.
Following these two works, more titles from the series are planned for sequential release.
■ Comment from Takahiro Mochizuki, Audiobook Production Director at Otobank Inc.
'We focused on how to convey the "strength of emotion" and "passion of the story" in Demon Slayer through sound alone. The cast and I have approached the work with great respect, and the recording sessions are always intense, whether it's a serious or a comical scene. In particular, the narration of the prose by Yasushi Bonkobara, which was very well received in the audiobook of "Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan: Short Story Collection" (Shueisha JUMP j BOOKS), enhances the sense of immersion and ties the whole story together beautifully. The story of Tanjirou and his friends has only just begun, but we will continue to push forward with this level of passion, and we hope you will follow our journey.'
■ Product Introduction
'Demon Slayer Novelization: Tanjirou and Nezuko, the Beginning of Fate' (Shueisha Mirai Bunko)
- Original Story/Art: Koyoharu Gotouge
- Author: Shuka Matsuda
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Production: Otobank
- Narrators: Tomoya Ito, Yasushi Bonkobara, Ryosuke Kanemoto, Saeko Oki
- Release Date: April 28, 2026
- Price: 1,188 yen
- Format: Individual purchase or 'audiobook.jp' subscription (1,330 yen/month)
- URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/274808
- Story: The first novelization of the mega-popular comic! In the Taisho era, Tanjirou, a kind-hearted boy who sells charcoal, loses his family to demons. His only surviving sister, Nezuko, has turned into a demon. To turn her back into a human and hunt the demon that killed his family, Tanjirou decides to follow the path of a demon slayer...
'Demon Slayer Novelization: The Bonds of Siblings and the Demon Slayer Corps' (Shueisha Mirai Bunko)
- Release Date: Scheduled for Summer 2026
- Format: Individual purchase or subscription plan
- Story: Tanjirou sets out on a journey to save Nezuko and avenge his family. He joins the 'Demon Slayer Corps,' meets Zenitsu and Inosuke, and begins working with them. Heading to Mt. Natagumo, they face a difficult battle against a family of spider demons...