The Reading / Listening - Demon Slayer - Level 6

While movie theatres around the world are struggling to survive, cinemagoers in Japan are helping to smash box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, an animated film has just seen (by far) the biggest box office weekend in the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' not only broke records in Japan, it also had the biggest opening weekend for any movie anywhere in the world. The movie only debuted domestically in Japan but it more than doubled the previous record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries combined. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons forking out a whopping $44 million on tickets.

The movie Demon Slayer is based on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is set in early 20th-century Japan. The main protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to get revenge on a group of ghouls and demons that killed his family and cursed his sister. It is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a phenomenon in Japanese popular culture. The 22-volume manga has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga of all time. Japanologist Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title cuts across generations. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Demon Slayer - Level 4  or  Demon Slayer - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/business/demon-slayer-japan-movie.html
  • https://comicbook.com/anime/news/my-hero-academia-characters-anime-bakugo-katsuki-rich/
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/10/19/box-office-china-top-north-america-for-2020-as-demon-slayer-nabs-record-44m-debut-in-japan/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. ANIME: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about anime. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       movie theatre / smash / box office / social distancing / history / debut / ticket /
       manga / anime / warriors / ghouls / demons / popular culture / Japan / generations
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. JAPAN: Students A strongly believe Japan has the best popular culture; Students B strongly believe it doesn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. JAPANESE POPULAR CULTURE: What do you know about popular culture in Japan? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want To Know

Manga

 

 

Anime

 

 

Music

 

 

Movies

 

 

Fashion

 

 

Games

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. DEMON: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "demon". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MOVIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Anime
  • Action
  • Horror
  • Pandemic
  • Romance
  • Fantasy
  • Thriller
  • Biopic

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. struggling a. Paying money for something.
      2. cinemagoer b. A person who goes to the movie theatre.
      3. animated c. Was shown to the public for the first time.
      4. debuted d. Having difficulty handling or coping with something.
      5. combined e. Really huge.
      6. forking out f. A movie or image made using animation techniques.
      7. whopping g. All put together.

    Paragraph 2

      8. set h. The desire to do something bad to someone because they did something bad to you.
      9. protagonist i. A brave or experienced soldier or fighter.
      10. warrior j. A remarkable person, thing, or event in society.
      11. revenge k. Represented a story, play, movie, or scene as happening at a specified time or in a specified place.
      12. demon l. The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
      13. phenomenon m. All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
      14. generation n. An evil spirit or devil, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article said movie theatres in Japan are struggling to survive.     T / F
  2. Ticket sales doubled those of the previous Japanese record.     T / F
  3. The movie sold more tickets than all other movies around the world.     T / F
  4. Japanese cinemas sold $440 million of tickets for the movie.     T / F
  5. The movie Demon Slayer is set in Japan in the late 19th century.     T / F
  6. The movie is about a man who wants revenge for his sister's killing.     T / F
  7. There are 22 volumes of the manga the movie is based on.     T / F
  8. An expert on Japan said people over 50 like the movie.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. struggling
  2. broke
  3. debuted
  4. combined
  5. whopping
  6. set
  7. protagonist
  8. revenge
  9. phenomenon
  10. particular
  1. specific
  2. mixed
  3. huge
  4. located
  5. fighting
  6. retribution
  7. sensation
  8. smashed
  9. central character
  10. came out

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. movie theatres around the world are
  2. helping to smash
  3. it also had the biggest
  4. it more than doubled the
  5. greater than those of all other
  6. based on a smash-
  7. The main protagonist is
  8. get revenge
  9. It is the latest in a long
  10. This particular title cuts
  1. across generations
  2. previous record
  3. countries combined
  4. box office records
  5. on a group of ghouls
  6. line of anime
  7. struggling to survive
  8. a young man
  9. opening weekend
  10. hit Japanese manga

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
anywhere
smash
weekend
forking
animated
combined
struggling
doubled

While movie theatres around the world are (1) ____________________ to survive, cinemagoers in Japan are helping to (2) _____________________ box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, an (3) _____________________ film has just seen (by far) the biggest box office (4) _____________________ in the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' not only broke records in Japan, it also had the biggest opening weekend for any movie (5) _____________________ in the world. The movie only debuted domestically in Japan but it more than (6) _____________________ the previous record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries (7) _____________________. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons (8) _____________________ out a whopping $44 million on tickets.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
century
cursed
volume
based
particular
revenge
all
phenomenon

The movie Demon Slayer is (9) _____________________ on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is set in early 20th-(10) _____________________ Japan. The main protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to get (11) _____________________ on a group of ghouls and demons that killed his family and (12) _____________________ his sister. It is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a (13) _____________________ in Japanese popular culture. The 22-(14) _____________________ manga has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga of (15) _____________________ time. Japanologist Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This (16) _____________________ title cuts across generations. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  While movie theatres around the world are ______
     a.  struggling for survive
     b.  struggling to survive
     c.  struggling that survive
     d.  struggling true survive
2)  cinemagoers in Japan are helping to ______ records
     a.  as much box office
     b.  mash box office
     c.  stash box office
     d.  smash box office
3)  any movie anywhere in the world. The movie only ______
     a.  debut domestically
     b.  debuted domestically
     c.  debut it domestically
     d.  debuted domestic ally
4)  Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all ______
     a.  other countries combined
     b.  other countries combine
     c.  other country combined
     d.  other country combine
5)  Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons forking out a ______
     a.  whopping $44 million
     b.  whooping $44 million
     c.  warping $44 million
     d.  wore pin $44 million

6)  The movie Demon Slayer is based on a smash-______
     a.  hit Japanese manger
     b.  hit Japanese man jar
     c.  hit Japanese manga
     d.  hit Japanese manager
7)  a young man who joins a group of warriors to get revenge on a ______
     a.  group of goals
     b.  group of gales
     c.  group of ghouls
     d.  group of gruel
8)  the latest in a long line of anime and manga to ______
     a.  become a phenomena
     b.  become a phantom anon
     c.  become a fee nominal
     d.  become a phenomenon
9)  over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga ______
     a.  of fall time
     b.  of all time
     c.  overall time
     d.  off all time
10)  Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title ______
     a.  cuts cross generation
     b.  cuts across generation
     c.  cuts cross generations
     d.  cuts across generations

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

While movie theatres around the world are (1) ____________________, cinemagoers in Japan are (2) ____________________ box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, (3) ____________________ has just seen (by far) the biggest box office weekend in the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' (4) ____________________ records in Japan, it also had the biggest opening weekend for any movie anywhere in the world. The movie only debuted domestically in Japan but it more than (5) ____________________ record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries combined. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons (6) ____________________ whopping $44 million on tickets.

The movie Demon Slayer is based on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is (7) ____________________ 20th-century Japan. The main (8) ____________________ young man who joins a group of warriors to get revenge on a group of (9) ____________________ that killed his family and cursed his sister. It is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become (10) ____________________ Japanese popular culture. The 22-volume manga has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga (11) ____________________. Japanologist Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title (12) ____________________. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where did the article say movie theatres were struggling to survive?
  2. What was the most viewed movie worldwide last weekend?
  3. In which countries did the movie Demon Slayer debut at the weekend?
  4. By how many times was the record greater than the previous one?
  5. How much did Japanese movie theatres make in ticket sales?
  6. When is the movie set?
  7. What does the protagonist in the movie join?
  8. What did a group of demons put on the protagonist's sister?
  9. How many volumes of Demon Slayer have been published?
  10. Who did a Japan expert say really liked Demon Slayer?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Where did the article say movie theatres were struggling to survive?
a) Hollywood
b) around the world
c) Bollywood
d) the UK
2)  What was the most viewed movie worldwide last weekend?
a) 100% Wolf
b) The Lie
c) Demon Slayer
d) Trump Card
3)  In which countries did the movie Demon Slayer debut at the weekend?
a) worldwide
b) Japan, Korea and the USA
c) Japan and Korea
d) only Japan
4)  By how many times was the record greater than the previous one?
a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) 4
5)  How much did Japanese movie theatres make in ticket sales?
a) $44 million
b) $46 million
c) $48 million
d) $42 million

6)  When is the movie set?
a) in early 20th-century Japan
b) in mid 20th-century Japan
c) in early-to-mid 20th-century Japan
d) in late 20th-century Japan
7)  What does the protagonist in the movie join?
a) a wizard's group
b) an army
c) a secret society
d) a group of warriors
8)  What did a group of demons put on the protagonist's sister?
a) a tattoo
b) an invisible cloak
c) a curse
d) a magic spell
9)  How many volumes of Demon Slayer have been published?
a) 21
b) 19
c) 18
d) 22
10)  Who did a Japan expert say really liked Demon Slayer?
a) the elderly
b) people over 40 and 50
c) people in their thirties
d) teenagers

Role play

Role  A – Anime
You think anime is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): biopic, pandemic or comedy.

Role  B – Biopic
You think a biopic is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): anime, pandemic or comedy.

Role  C – Pandemic
You think pandemic is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): biopic, anime or comedy.

Role  D – Comedy
You think comedy is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): biopic, pandemic or anime.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'demon'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'movie'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • survive
    • far
    • opening
    • doubled
    • greater
    • forking
    • comic
    • main
    • group
    • long
    • culture
    • 40

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Demon Slayer

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'demon'?
    3. What do you think of movie theatres?
    4. What do you know about anime?
    5. What do you think of this news?
    6. Would you feel safe to sit in a movie theatre during COVID-19?
    7. Would you like to see the movie Demon Slayer?
    8. What is the best movie you have seen at the cinema?
    9. What do you think of Japanese movies?
    10. What is the best animated movie you've seen?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'movie'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about manga?
    5. What are the good and bad things about anime?
    6. What do you think of ghouls and demons?
    7. What do you think of Japanese popular culture?
    8. Why is anime so popular?
    9. In what ways are manga better than novels?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a manga fan?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    While movie theatres around the world are (1) ____ to survive, cinemagoers in Japan are helping to smash box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, an animated film has just seen (by (2) ____) the biggest box office weekend (3) ____ the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' not only broke records in Japan, it also had the biggest (4) ____ weekend for any movie anywhere in the world. The movie only debuted domestically in Japan but it more than (5) ____ its previous record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries combined. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons (6) ____ out a whopping $44 million on tickets.

    The movie Demon Slayer is (7) ____ on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is (8) ____ in early 20th-century Japan. The main protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to (9) ____ revenge on a group of ghouls and demons that killed his family and (10) ____ his sister. It is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a phenomenon in Japanese popular culture. The 22-volume manga has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga of (11) ____ time. Japanologist Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title (12) ____ across generations. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     struggling     (b)     struggled     (c)     struggles     (d)     struggle    
    2. (a)     farther     (b)     further     (c)     far     (d)     farthest    
    3. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     of    
    4. (a)     opens     (b)     opened     (c)     opener     (d)     opening    
    5. (a)     doubled     (b)     twofold     (c)     coupled     (d)     twinned    
    6. (a)     knifing     (b)     forking     (c)     spooning     (d)     skewering    
    7. (a)     blasted     (b)     basted     (c)     biased     (d)     based    
    8. (a)     let     (b)     set     (c)     get     (d)     bet    
    9. (a)     do     (b)     make     (c)     get     (d)     fight     
    10. (a)     cased     (b)     cussed     (c)     caused     (d)     cursed    
    11. (a)     every     (b)     each     (c)     whole     (d)     all    
    12. (a)     kneads     (b)     cuts     (c)     chops     (d)     dices

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. ggsugtirnl to survive
    2. rscageomine in Japan are helping
    3. social iadsngtcin rules
    4. an aiteandm film
    5. etebddu domestically in Japan
    6. forking out a owppnihg $44 million

    Paragraph 2

    1. The main otstipornga is a young man
    2. get ervenge on a group of ghouls
    3. esmdno that killed his family
    4. a ennhoemnpo in Japanese popular culture
    5. This paiacutrrl title
    6. cuts across eirnntasgeo

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) While movie theatres around the world are struggling to survive, cinemagoers in Japan are
    (...)  only broke records in Japan, it also had the biggest opening weekend for any movie
    (...)  combined. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons forking out a whopping $44 million on tickets.
    (...)  The movie Demon Slayer is based on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is set
    (...)  culture. The 22-volume manga has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga of
    (...)  helping to smash box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, an animated film has just
    (...)  across generations. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."
    (...)  latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a phenomenon in Japanese popular
    (...)  seen (by far) the biggest box office weekend in the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' not
    (...)  all time. Japanologist Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title cuts
    (...)  revenge on a group of ghouls and demons that killed his family and cursed his sister. It is the
    (...)  doubled the previous record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries
    (...)  anywhere in the world. The movie only debuted domestically in Japan but it more than
    (...)  in early 20th-century Japan. The main protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to get

    Put the words in the right order

    1. office   to   records   .   smash   helping   are   Cinemagoers   box
    2. weekend   box   office   biggest   history   .   The   its   in
    3. movie   in   Japan   .   domestically   only   The   debuted
    4. than   countries   Greater   combined   .   all   other   those   of
    5. on   out   whopping   tickets   .   $44   forked   million   a   Patrons
    6. Japan   .   is   The   20th-century   set   early   in   story
    7. in   of   anime   .   long   a   line   latest   The
    8. 22-volume   manga   has   million   copies   .   The   sold   over   100
    9. one   manga   .   the   successful   most   it   Making   of
    10. like   over   over   people   Even   it   .   50,   really   40,

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    While movie theatres around the world are struggled / struggling to survive, cinemagoers in Japan are helping / aiding to smash box office records. Despite COVID-19 social distancing rules, an animated film has just seen (by far / farther) the biggest box office weekend on / in the history of Japan's cinemas. The movie 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' not only broke / broken records in Japan, it also had the biggest open / opening weekend for any movie anywhere in the world. The movie only debuted / debacle domestically in Japan but it more than doubled the previous / impervious record. Ticket sales last weekend were greater than them / those of all other countries combined. Japanese cinemas saw over 3.4 million patrons forking / knifing out a whopping $44 million on tickets.

    The movie Demon Slayer is based in / on a smash-hit Japanese manga - a Japanese-style comic book. The story is get / set in early 20th-century Japan. The main antagonist / protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to get revenge on a group of ghastly / ghouls and demons that killed his family and cursed / cussed his sister. It is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a phenomena / phenomenon in Japanese popular culture. The 22-volume manga has sold over 100 million copies, making / made it one of the most successful manga of all / every time. Japanologist / Japanology Roland Kelts from Tokyo's Waseda University said: "This particular title cuts / snips across generations. Even people over 40, over 50, really like Demon Slayer."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Wh_l_  m_v__  th_atr_s _r__nd  th_  w_rld _r_  str_ggl_ng  t_  s_rv_v_,  c_n_mag__rs  _n  Japan _r_  h_lp_ng  t_  smash  b_x  _ff_c_  r_c_rds.  D_sp_t_  C_V_D-19  s_c_al  d_stanc_ng  r_l_s, _n _n_mat_d  f_lm  has  j_st  s__n  (by  far)  th_  b_gg_st  b_x  _ff_c_  w__k_nd  _n  th_  h_st_ry  _f  Japan's  c_n_mas.  Th_  m_v__  'D_m_n  Slay_r:  M_g_n  Tra_n'  n_t  _nly  br_k_  r_c_rds  _n  Japan,  _t _ls_  had  th_  b_gg_st  _p_n_ng  w__k_nd  f_r _ny  m_v__ _nywh_r_  _n  th_  w_rld.  Th_  m_v__  _nly  d_b_t_d  d_m_st_cally  _n  Japan  b_t  _t  m_r_  than  d__bl_d  th_  pr_v___s  r_c_rd.  T_ck_t  sal_s  last  w__k_nd  w_r_  gr_at_r  than  th_s_  _f _ll  _th_r  c__ntr__s  c_mb_n_d.  Japan_s_  c_n_mas  saw  _v_r  3.4  m_ll__n  patr_ns  f_rk_ng  __t _  wh_pp_ng  $44  m_ll__n  _n  t_ck_ts.

    Th_ m_v__ D_m_n Slay_r _s bas_d _n _ smash_h_t Japan_s_ manga - _ Japan_s__styl_ c_m_c b__k. Th_ st_ry _s s_t _n _arly 20th_c_nt_ry Japan. Th_ ma_n pr_tag_n_st _s _ y__ng man wh_ j__ns _ gr__p _f warr__rs t_ g_t r_v_ng_ _n _ gr__p _f gh__ls _nd d_m_ns that k_ll_d h_s fam_ly _nd c_rs_d h_s s_st_r. _t _s th_ lat_st _n _ l_ng l_n_ _f _n_m_ _nd manga t_ b_c_m_ _ ph_n_m_n_n _n Japan_s_ p_p_lar c_lt_r_. Th_ 22_v_l_m_ manga has s_ld _v_r 100 m_ll__n c_p__s, mak_ng _t _n_ _f th_ m_st s_cc_ssf_l manga _f _ll t_m_. Japan_l_g_st R_land K_lts fr_m T_ky_'s Was_da _n_v_rs_ty sa_d: "Th_s part_c_lar t_tl_ c_ts _cr_ss g_n_rat__ns. _v_n p__pl_ _v_r 40, _v_r 50, r_ally l_k_ D_m_n Slay_r." "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    while movie theatres around the world are struggling to survive cinemagoers in japan are helping to smash box office records despite covid19 social distancing rules an animated film has just seen by far the biggest box office weekend in the history of japans cinemas the movie demon slayer mugen train not only broke records in japan it also had the biggest opening weekend for any movie anywhere in the world the movie only debuted domestically in japan but it more than doubled the previous record ticket sales last weekend were greater than those of all other countries combined japanese cinemas saw over 34 million patrons forking out a whopping 44 million on tickets

    the movie demon slayer is based on a smashhit japanese manga  a japanesestyle comic book the story is set in early 20thcentury japan the main protagonist is a young man who joins a group of warriors to get revenge on a group of ghouls and demons that killed his family and cursed his sister it is the latest in a long line of anime and manga to become a phenomenon in japanese popular culture the 22volume manga has sold over 100 million copies making it one of the most successful manga of all time japanologist roland kelts from tokyos waseda university said this particular title cuts across generations even people over 40 over 50 really like demon slayer

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Whilemovietheatresaroundtheworldarestrugglingtosurvive,cinema
    goersinJapanarehelpingtosmashboxofficerecords.DespiteCOVID-
    19socialdistancingrules,ananimatedfilmhasjustseen(byfar)thebigg
    estboxofficeweekendinthehistoryofJapan'scinemas.Themovie'Dem
    onSlayer:MugenTrain'notonlybrokerecordsinJapan,italsohadthebig
    gestopeningweekendforanymovieanywhereintheworld.Themovieo
    nlydebuteddomesticallyinJapanbutitmorethandoubledthepreviousr
    ecord.Ticketsaleslastweekendweregreaterthanthoseofallothercoun
    triescombined.Japanesecinemassawover3.4millionpatronsforkingo
    utawhopping$44millionontickets.ThemovieDemonSlayerisbasedon
    asmash-hitJapanesemanga-aJapanese-stylecomicbook.Thestoryi
    ssetinearly20th-centuryJapan.Themainprotagonistisayoungma
    nwhojoinsagroupofwarriorstogetrevengeonagroupofghoulsanddem
    onsthatkilledhisfamilyandcursedhissister.Itisthelatestinalonglineof
    animeandmangatobecomeaphenomenoninJapanesepopularculture
    .The22-volumemangahassoldover100millioncopies,makingitoneo
    fthemostsuccessfulmangaofalltime.JapanologistRolandKeltsfromTo
    kyo'sWasedaUniversitysaid:"Thisparticulartitlecutsacrossgeneratio
    ns.Evenpeopleover40,over50,reallylikeDemonSlayer."

    Free writing

    Write about Demon Slayer for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Anime is a very important art form. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. ANIME: Make a poster about anime. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ANIME STUDIES: Write a magazine article about governments promoting anime studies in schools. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on anime. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on anime. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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