Demon Slayer and Witch on the Holy Night Head to Awa Odori 2026

Two major anime properties are dancing into Tokushima this summer. Demon Slayer and the upcoming film Witch on the Holy Night will both participate in the 2026 Awa Odori festival, running August 11 to 15, bringing special performances, merchandise, and some recognizable voices to Japan's most famous dance festival.

Voice actors Hiro Shimono and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka will take the stage for the Demon Slayer performance on August 14. Both works share animation DNA—ufotable handled the animation for Demon Slayer and is also behind Witch on the Holy Night, which means the studio's visual signature will be stamped across the festival's offerings.

The festival will also host a stamp rally featuring illustrations from TYPE-MOON and ufotable works, giving attendees a reason to move between booths and soak in the collaborative energy. It's a smart move: Awa Odori draws massive crowds already, and tying major anime properties to the event creates a natural draw for fans who might otherwise skip the traditional festival experience.

The pairing makes sense on paper—both franchises have serious cultural weight in Japan right now, and Demon Slayer in particular has proven its ability to move merchandise and audiences. Witch on the Holy Night, a TYPE-MOON adaptation, represents a different slice of anime fandom but one with its own devoted following. Stacking them together at a regional festival suggests confidence that the combined draw will justify the production effort.

Awa Odori is one of Japan's three major dance festivals, so this isn't a small-scale activation. The festival's traditional roots meeting contemporary anime is exactly the kind of cultural collision that keeps both traditions relevant. Whether you're there for the 400-year-old choreography or to catch voice actors in person, August 11 to 15 in Tokushima is shaping up to be the place where anime and festival culture actually intersect.

Source: Anime Anime