《鬼滅之刃劇場版 無限列車篇》為日本於 2020 年 10 月 16 日上映的劇 場版動畫電影，以吾峠呼世晴的漫畫《鬼滅之刃》為原作，並由著名的動 畫公司 ufotable 製作。劇場版一推出便締造了數項紀錄，並在公開第 73 天後， 打破了由宮崎駿於 2001 年執導的動畫電影《神隱少女》票房紀錄，成為日 本影史以來最賣座的電影。對於新冠疫情下的日本社會而言，《鬼滅之刃》 的意義已遠不止於是暢銷漫畫或是最賣座電影等單純的商業現象，在日本 造成對社會各層面的影響以及引發的正能量，已經可以說是一個「奇蹟」。
在本期的主題「全球大流行的愛與不安」之下，本論文主要有三個討 論重點。
第一，首先釐清《鬼滅之刃》中敵對一方的「鬼」在日本的歷史與文 化中的代表含意，以探討本作品的主題「人與鬼之戰」的文學想像力。第 二，在新冠疫情下，人與人的關係疏遠，而《鬼滅之刃》裡描寫的親情、 友情、階層倫理，讓許多支持者重新找回了對疏遠家人的關心，而觀影經 驗亦撫平許多心理與情緒之不安。第三，將重點放在本作品的二段宣傳標 語，即「這是日本最慈悲的鬼滅故事」與「夜晚迎來黎明。意念永恆不滅。」 來說明《鬼滅之刃》想要傳達的訊息性。本論文即以上述要點來闡述新冠 疫情肆虐下，在日本社會所發生的「鬼滅奇蹟」。
Demon Slayer Movie — Mugen Train is the movie version of the anime that was first screened in Japan on October 16, 2020. Its original story was by Koyoha- ru GOTOUGE, and it was produced by the famous anime production company Ufotable. When the movie version was screened, it broke a lot of records. 73 days after its release, it surpassed the sales record of Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 film Spirited Away, becoming the best-selling movie in Japanese movie history.
In a Japanese society ravaged by COVID-19, the social meanings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba go beyond the mere business phenomena such as best-sell- ing manga or best-selling movie; it has had various influences on Japanese society, generating positive energy, and some might even say it can be called a “miracle.” Under this theme, this essay has three points: First of all, the author would like to clarify the meaning of the enemy, “Oni/demon,” in Japanese history and culture in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and describes how the creator uses the imagination of literature to reveal the battle between humans and demons. Secondly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more distant; the depictions of fami- ly love, friendship, class ethics, etc., narrated in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, has helped many fans remember precious feelings they had forgotten. Thirdly, the essay investigates the meanings of the most important advertising slogans attached to the work: “This is the best, kindest demon-slaying in Japan” and “The dawn is coming.
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The minds are eternal.” The author clarifies the messages that this movie wants to convey. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the miracle of “Kimetsu” during the COVID-19 pandemic through these three points.