ufotable's Post-Bath Art Sets the Internet on Fire
The collaboration, officially titled Demon Slayer × Yunessun Hakone Onsen Tan: Wisteria Flower's Rest, pairs the franchise with one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts to celebrate Yunessun's 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, ufotable (Demon Slayer, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works) drew a set of original illustrations depicting five characters — Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Giyu Tomioka, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanao Tsuyuri — relaxing in wisteria-patterned yukata after a bath at the Hakone resort.
The art dropped on May 18 and immediately blew up on social media. As Oricon News reported, fans zeroed in on the characters' wet hair and relaxed expressions, with reactions ranging from "the sex appeal is insane" to simply losing it over Giyu Tomioka's post-bath look. Shinobu Kocho's illustration drew equal attention, with fans calling the Insect Hashira's charm "extraordinary."
It's ufotable doing what ufotable does best — even outside of fight animation, the studio's character work has a way of dominating timelines.
What the Event Includes
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is an all-weather hot spring theme park in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 90 minutes from central Tokyo by limited express train. The Demon Slayer collaboration takes over the facility from July 18 through October 4, 2026, with a lineup that goes well beyond a few posters on the wall.
According to the PR TIMES announcement from operator Fujita Kanko, the event features:
- Themed baths and a collaboration sauna
- Collaboration drinks
- Limited-edition merchandise exclusive to the event
- Collaboration rooms at the adjacent Hakone Hotel Kowakien, complete with exclusive guest novelties
- Special accommodation plans for overnight stays
Specific pricing and detailed descriptions of individual offerings haven't been announced yet. The organizers note that the event "may be subject to changes, postponements, or cancellations due to various circumstances" — standard boilerplate, but worth flagging for anyone booking travel.
The Franchise Keeps Rolling
The collaboration comes while Demon Slayer is still riding one of the biggest theatrical runs in anime history. The first Infinity Castle film, Akaza Returns, crossed ¥40 billion (approx. $260 million) at the Japanese box office alone, becoming only the second film in Japan to hit that milestone — after the franchise's own Mugen Train. Globally, it's now the highest-earning anime film of all time.
That kind of momentum makes a hot spring collaboration feel almost modest by comparison, but themed location events have become a staple of major anime franchises in Japan. For Demon Slayer specifically, the pairing of demon slayers and hot springs has a natural appeal — the Hashira need a day off, and Hakone is about as good as it gets.
Looking Ahead
The Demon Slayer × Yunessun event runs July 18 through October 4, 2026, giving fans a wide summer-to-fall window to visit. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a major tourist destination that regularly draws international visitors, so the event is accessible to overseas fans traveling to Japan — no Japanese-language barrier for entry.
No international merchandise shipping or digital participation has been announced, so for now this is a Japan-only experience. Additional details on pricing, ticket bundles, and the full merchandise lineup are expected via the official Yunessun event page and the Demon Slayer official site in the weeks ahead.
(C)吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable