Stephen Fu Talks Playing a Villain in Demon Slayer at the Saturn Awards

At the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, the red carpet was not only a celebration of live-action blockbusters, but it was also a massive night for the world of anime. Among the stars representing the global phenomenon Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle was Stephen Fu, the voice behind the chillingly charismatic Upper Moon Two, Doma.

March 8th, 2026 -Universal City, CA. L-R Aleks Le, Stephen Fu, Mitchelle Berger, Zach Aguilar, and Bryce Papenbrook celebrate their win for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle in the Best International Animated Feature Category at the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards. Photo by Jose Vasquez for Temple of Geek.

Speaking with Temple of Geek outside the Hilton Universal City Hotel, Fu offered a fascinating glimpse into what it’s like to voice one of the series’ most unsettling villains.

Embracing the Villainous “Subtle Twist”

Stephen Fu is no stranger to complex characters, but Doma presents a unique challenge: a demon who mimics human emotion without actually feeling it. During the interview, Fu leaned into the complexity of playing a high-ranking antagonist with a subtle twist.

“Playing a villain is always a blast, but Doma is different,” Fu noted. “He’s not just ‘evil’, he’s terrifyingly polite. Finding that balance where he sounds friendly, but you still feel that immediate red flag, was a really fun process in the booth.”

“The Demon Slayer” Global Phenomenon

As part of the Demon Slayer cast presence at the ceremony, Fu reflected on the staggering success of the franchise. For him, being at the Saturn Awards, an event traditionally dominated by Western sci-fi and horror, signaled a shift in how anime is perceived by the industry at large.

Fu expressed his pride in seeing the series nominated alongside massive live-action franchises, noting that the artistry of the “Swordsmith Village Arc” and “Hashira Training Arc” deserves the spotlight. He credited the fans for the show’s longevity, mentioning that the energy on the red carpet felt like a direct extension of the passion he sees at conventions.

When asked about joining the ranks of the Upper Moons, Fu joked about the intimidating company he keeps within the show’s lore. He highlighted that while the heroes have their bonds, the villains in Demon Slayer have a distinct, often competitive dynamic that makes the recording process and the final product so compelling for the audience.