On April 7, 2024, the production teams behind the TV anime series Naruto Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations revealed their plans to release a series of new merchandise featuring the main characters holding traditional Japanese musical instruments. The collection, which will be available exclusively in Japan on April 19, 2024, highlights the characters’ connection to their cultural heritage through these instruments.
This collection includes a variety of items such as badges, acrylic cards, acrylic stands, mini-colored paper cards, postcard holders, accessory cases, and stickers, all featuring popular characters such as Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Hinata Hyuga, Kakashi Hatake, Boruto Uzumaki, and Kawaki.
Among the various characters included in this merchandise line, there are two that have caught the attention of fans. This is due to the possibility that their musical instruments could be a nod to the Twelve Kizuki, characters from Demon Slayer.
Hidden Easter Eggs: Demon Slayer nods in recent Boruto and Naruto merchandise art
The merchandise artwork featured various characters from the Naruto series, including Naruto Uzumaki with a shamisen, Sakura Haruno with a biwa, Kakashi Hatake with a Shakuhachi flute, Hinata Hyuga with a Nohkan flute, Kawaki with a Shime drum, Sasuke Uchiha with a tsuzumi drum, and Boruto Uzumaki with a Koto.
Among all of these characters, the instruments played by Sasuke and Sakura have captivated the fandom. The tsuzumi drums and biwa are connected to two demons featured in Demon Slayer.
Nakime, utilizing her Blood Demon Art: Infinity Castle Manipulation, wielded the biwa held by Sakura Haruno. Despite not having made significant appearances in the series thus far, she played a crucial role in manipulating the castle’s architecture whenever the Twelve Kizuki were summoned.
Following Hantengu’s passing, it was possible for her to join the Upper-Rank demons. The biwa is integral to her Blood Demon Art, as its strings hold the power to alter the layout of the Infinity Castle, demonstrated by the summoning of the Lower Rank demons in the finale of Demon Slayer season 1.
The tsuzumi drums, which were held by Sasuke Uchiha, were utilized by Kyogai in his Blood Demon Art: Drum Spells. Kyogai, the primary antagonist of the Tsuzumi Mansion arc, was once a member of the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. However, due to the weakening of his Blood Demon Art, he was removed from the Twelve Kizuki by Muzan.
During his confrontation with the demon, Tanjiro, the central character of the series, witnessed the demon’s use of his Blood Demon Art. However, the demon was limited to using this power only within the mansion.
The room was under his control as he skillfully struck the six tsuzumi drums connected to his body. The four drums on his limbs governed the upper and lower areas of the room, while the drum on his navel unleashed a powerful 3-claw slash within the space. Additionally, the drum on his back had the ability to transport his adversary to a different room.
Despite continuously attempting to attack Tanjiro, the latter was able to successfully decapitate him using his Water Breathing swordplay. Tanjiro complimented his Blood Demon Arts before delivering the final blow. Despite being kicked out of the Twelve Kizuki for his weak Blood Demon Arts, he was grateful and touched that someone had appreciated his technique and died with tears in his eyes.
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