Zach Aguilar Reflects on Playing Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer

At the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, the red carpet at the Hilton Universal City Hotel was a testament to the global explosion of anime. Standing at the center of that whirlwind was Zach Aguilar. Aguilar is the voice of Tanjiro Kamado, the heart and soul of the record-breaking series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

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.

In an emotional and high-energy conversation with Temple of Geek, Aguilar reflected on his journey with the series and what it means to see Tanjiro recognized on such a prestigious stage.

Zach Aguilar Offers Sincere Gratitude at the Saturn Awards

For Aguilar, the Saturn Awards represent more than just a ceremony. They are a marker of how far the medium has come. Reflecting on his time as the lead in one of the most successful anime of all time, he didn’t hold back his gratitude.

Being here, representing Demon Slayer at the Saturn Awards, it’s honestly a dream come true. When we started this journey, we knew it was a special story, but seeing the global connection and how much Tanjiro means to people… it’s overwhelming in the best way possible.

The Heart of Tanjiro

Demon Slayer showcases a variety of characters, but Tanjiro is arguably one of the most well-written. It is refreshing to see a male main character possess unwavering kindness, even in the face of absolute horror.

Although Tanjiro is undoubtedly a formidable swordsman, his true strength comes from his empathetic character. Despite his family being slaughtered and his sister, Nezuko, being turned into a demon, he is able to connect with others. Additionally, he empathizes with the enemies he faces. It is a trait that not only defines who Tanjiro is, but it also has aided fans during difficult times.

Anime’s Mainstream Milestone at the Saturn Awards

Joining his castmates Bryce Papenbrook, Alek Le, and Stephen Fu on the carpet, Aguilar highlighted the significance of anime being celebrated alongside the biggest names in science fiction and fantasy.

It’s exciting to see that the barrier between anime and mainstream entertainment has effectively disappeared.