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Frankl’s existential psychology and logotherapy. Employing descriptive-interpretative qualitative analysis of film scenes and related literature, the study finds that Akaza’s recurring trauma generates existential suffering, pushing him toward meaninglessness and pseudomeaning expressed as obsession with power. 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Revised: December 04th, 2026 . Accepted: February 03th, 2026 Available Online: February 04th, 2026. Published Regularly: February, 2026  \n\n| Keywords | Abstract |\n| --- | --- |\n| Akaza Existential, Film Trauma Viktor | This study aims to analyze the trauma and search for meaning in the life of the character Akaza in the film “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” through the perspective of Viktor E. Frankl’s existential psychology. The method used is descriptive-interpretative qualitative analysis of film scenes and a review of literature related to logotherapy, trauma, and character dynamics. The results show that the recurring trauma experienced by Akaza forms existential suffering that plunges him into meaninglessness and pseudomeaning in the form of an obsession with power. However, flashbacks to significant figures bring back the values of love and responsibility, which encourage the choice of a positive existential attitude until self-transcendence is achieved. This study expands the application of logotherapy to antagonistic characters and shows that popular media can represent existential dynamics in a complex manner. The findings contribute to the development of character psychology studies in films and reinforce the potential of fictional narratives as a medium for psychological and reflective education. |\n| Corresponding Author |  |\n| Laylatul Mukharohmah Universitas Negeri Surabaya\u003Cbr>Email:\u003Cbr>24020074069@\u003Cbr>[mhs.unesa.ac.id](mhs.unesa.ac.id) |  |\n\nINTRODUCTION  \nFilm, as a product of popular culture, not only functions as visual entertainment but also as a medium for representing complex human experiences, including psychological trauma, inner conflict, and the search for meaning in life. In literary and film studies, audiovisual works are often understood as narrative texts that reflect the social and psychological realities of society, even though they are framed through creative imagination (Ahmadi, 2020). Films also play an important role in reflecting and critiquing social and humanitarian phenomena developing in society (Meilani & Ahmadi, 2025) . Therefore, film analysis is not only relevant in aesthetic studies but also in psychological approaches that seek to understand the inner dynamics of characters.  \nOne popular work that presents the psychological complexity of its characters is the Japanese animated film “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle,” an adaptation of the manga“Kimetsu no Yaiba” by Koyoharu Gotouge. This film does not merely present the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist in a black-and-white moral framework, but rather shows characters who are built through traumatic backgrounds, value conflicts, and struggles with the meaning of life. The antagonists in this film are not only positioned as evil figures, but also as individuals who carry deep psychological wounds and a history of suffering that shapes their existential choices.  \n© Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta  \nFebruary 2026 Page 34-46  \nIn the context of psychology, trauma is understood as a psychological experience that has the potential to disrupt a person ’s stability and functioning(Imamah & Ahmadi, 2025) . Unresolved trauma can manifest itself in the form of manipulative behavior, aggression, extreme emotions, and ongoing interpersonal conflict (Nabila & Ernawati, 2025) . The character Akaza, formerly known as “Hakuji” before turning into a demon, represents this narrative. He experie","cbCailbYgm6SE30T","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailbYgm6SE30T","pdf",791837,13,"English","# Introduction\n## Film as a medium for psychological experience\n## Akaza’s traumatic background and identity shift\n## Existential psychology and logotherapy framework\n# Method and Analysis\n## Descriptive-interpretative qualitative approach\n## Film-scene review and literature study\n# Findings\n## Trauma as existential suffering and pseudomeaning\n## Flashbacks restoring love and responsibility\n## Positive existential attitude and self-transcendence\n# Contribution\n## Extending logotherapy to antagonistic characters\n## Using popular media for psychological reflection","[{\"question\":\"What theoretical perspective guides the study of Akaza’s trauma?\",\"answer\":\"The study uses Viktor E. Frankl’s existential psychology and the logotherapy framework, focusing on the will to meaning and self-transcendence.\"},{\"question\":\"How does recurring trauma affect Akaza’s search for meaning?\",\"answer\":\"Recurring trauma creates existential suffering that leads Akaza to meaninglessness and pseudomeaning, expressed through an obsession with power.\"},{\"question\":\"What enables Akaza to move toward a positive existential attitude?\",\"answer\":\"Flashbacks to significant figures bring back values of love and responsibility, encouraging choices that support a positive existential attitude until self-transcendence is reached.\"}]","TRAUMA AND THE MEANING OF LIFE FOR THE CHARACTER AKAZA IN THE MOVIE DEMON SLAYER: INFINITY CASTLE | PDF",33]