The news covers the story of Chinese enthusiasts of the wildly popular Japanese anime series 'Demon Slayer', who are traveling all the way to Hong Kong to get access to the series and its merchandise. The phenomenon has been triggered by the restrictions on Japanese anime in mainland China, prompting fans to undertake what can be seen as a pilgrimage to consume their desired content.

In Japan, anime is not only a form of entertainment but also a significant part of pop culture and international soft power. The popularity of 'Demon Slayer' coupled with the lengths Chinese fans are willing to go to access it, has accentuated Japan's cultural influence. However, it also draws focus on regulatory differences regarding content and intellectual property rights between countries.

Compared to the US or EU, anime is less mainstream but still has a solid fan base. Issues related to access and censorship of Japanese anime are less prevalent, and individuals generally have easier access to international content, making such journeys less necessary.