Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Breaks Records
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle has stormed into Japanese cinemas, rewriting box office history in record time. The highly anticipated anime film has already surpassed some of Japan’s biggest cinematic hits and is now closing in on Mugen Train, its own franchise predecessor, as it aims to become the highest-grossing film in Japan.
Since premiering on July 18, 2025, the film has raked in an astonishing 25.8 billion yen ($174 million) within just 31 days, selling over 18.27 million tickets. With this achievement, Infinity Castle now sits in fourth place on Japan’s all-time box office chart, moving past Disney’s Frozen (25.5 billion yen) and Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name (25.1 billion yen).
The only films ahead are James Cameron’s Titanic (27.7 billion yen), Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (31.7 billion yen), and the reigning champion, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (40.7 billion yen).
Third-Highest Anime Film in Japan
With its meteoric rise, Infinity Castle has become the third-highest-grossing anime film ever in Japan, trailing only behind Mugen Train and Spirited Away. Analysts predict that, at its current pace, the movie has a strong chance of surpassing Titanic and possibly Spirited Away, depending on its sustained performance.
The speed of its success has also stunned industry watchers. Infinity Castle reached the 10 billion yen milestone in less than 10 days, shattering the record previously held by Mugen Train.
International Success Across Asia
The box office domination is not limited to Japan. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle also opened at number one across multiple Asian markets, including Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Opening weekend grosses included:
- Vietnam: $2.5 million
- Thailand: $3.2 million
- Malaysia: $3.3 million
- Hong Kong: $3.5 million
- Indonesia: $3.6 million
Combined with Japanese earnings, the worldwide box office has already crossed the $200 million mark. Analysts forecast the global total could eventually reach 35–40 billion yen ($237–270 million) depending on international performance and longevity.
Part of a Three-Film Adaptation
Infinity Castle marks the beginning of the three-part adaptation of the manga’s climactic final arc. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and animated by ufotable, the movie has impressed fans with its stunning visuals, powerful storytelling, and faithful adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge’s source material.
Key staff for the film include:
- Director: Haruo Sotozaki
- Chief Animation Director & Character Designer: Akira Matsushima
- Music: Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina
This installment sets the stage for the ultimate showdown between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan Kibutsuji, the series’ central antagonist.
Plot Overview of Infinity Castle
The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, who continues his journey as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps after his sister Nezuko’s transformation into a demon. Over time, he strengthens his skills and forges unbreakable bonds with his allies—Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira — while fighting alongside the powerful Hashira.
Past arcs saw Tanjiro and his comrades battle alongside Hashira such as:
- Kyojuro Rengoku (Flame Hashira) aboard the Mugen Train
- Tengen Uzui (Sound Hashira) in the Entertainment District
- Muichiro Tokito (Mist Hashira) and Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Hashira) during the Swordsmith Village battles
As the Corps undergoes Hashira Training to prepare for the final conflict, the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji launches an assault on the Ubuyashiki Mansion. During the chaos, Tanjiro and his allies are plunged into the Infinity Castle, a nightmarish domain that serves as the demons’ stronghold.
Here, the final and most decisive battle begins, as the Demon Slayer Corps faces off against their greatest foe in a fight that will determine the fate of humanity.
Upcoming Global Release
While the movie continues to dominate the Japanese and Asian box office, international audiences in the West will soon get their chance to experience it. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is scheduled for a general release in North America (United States and Canada) on September 12, 2025, distributed by Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll, which also streams the anime series, previous arcs, and Mugen Train, describes the film as a direct continuation of the Hashira Training Arc, seamlessly transitioning into the final arc.
Demon Slayer’s Box Office Legacy
The Demon Slayer franchise has already carved its place in cinematic history. Mugen Train (2020) became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, earning 40.7 billion yen ($313 million) domestically and more than $500 million worldwide.
Now, with Infinity Castle surging at unprecedented speed, the franchise seems poised to dominate global box office charts once again. The upcoming sequels are expected to push this dominance even further, potentially making Demon Slayer the most successful anime film franchise in history.
The rise of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is more than just a box office triumph, it reflects the global power of anime storytelling. From breathtaking animation to emotionally charged narratives, the film delivers everything fans have come to expect and more.
As audiences worldwide gear up for its international release, one thing is certain: Infinity Castle is not only breaking records but also redefining what anime cinema can achieve on a global scale.
With two more films in the trilogy still to come, the journey is far from over. Fans can expect even bigger battles, deeper emotional arcs, and box office numbers that could eclipse anything seen before in anime film history.
