The latest installment of the Demon Slayer saga has unleashed a cinematic storm across Japan. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, the highly-anticipated first film in a trilogy, opened to earth-shaking numbers, collecting over 7.3 billion yen or approximately $49.6 million in just four days.
Distributed by Aniplex and Toho, and directed by Haruo Sotozaki, Infinity Castle officially premiered on Friday. It instantly crushed multiple records, including the highest-grossing opening day in Japanese box office history. Its Friday revenue alone soared to 1.64 billion yen, roughly $11.1 million. The pace intensified as the weekend progressed.
By Sunday, Infinity Castle had its most explosive day. Sales hit 2.03 billion yen, or $13.8 million, setting a new single-day record in the market. These staggering numbers positioned the film as Japan’s second-biggest release of 2025, only days after its debut.
IMAX takes a hit—of Demon Slayer scale
IMAX screenings fueled much of the frenzy. The film collected an unprecedented $3 million from IMAX theaters on its first day alone, setting an all-time Japanese IMAX record. This number eclipsed the launches of both domestic and Hollywood films.
By the end of the four-day frame, IMAX had grossed $3.5 million, further solidifying Infinity Castle’s dominance. It outpaced Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, the franchise’s previous record-holder, which earned 4.62 billion yen in its three-day 2020 debut.
That earlier film ultimately raked in over 40.4 billion yen domestically and surpassed $500 million globally. With Infinity Castle already crossing 7 billion yen in just four days, many are wondering if it could topple that legacy.
Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hashira return for blood—and glory
The narrative picks up with Tanjiro Kamado and his allies preparing for their most harrowing battle yet. After a series of brutal confrontations alongside the elite Hashira—including the battles aboard the Mugen Train and in the Entertainment District—the corps now face their darkest challenge.
Their enemy, Muzan Kibutsuji, infiltrates the Ubuyashiki Mansion. As Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to intervene, they are suddenly pulled into an eerie and twisted dimension known as the Infinity Castle—home turf for the demons. The stakes are higher than ever, and fans know the final confrontation is no longer a question of if, but when.
A new gold standard for anime box office power
Crunchyroll, which co-distributes the film outside of Japan with Sony, confirmed that Friday’s record-breaking numbers were higher than any anime or live-action debut in Japanese history. The official X account for the film reported a weekend attendance of nearly 3.8 million people.
By Monday, a national holiday in Japan, the film had welcomed 5.16 million viewers. The rush of moviegoers pushed the cumulative total past the $49 million mark, signaling a phenomenon far beyond normal blockbuster hype.
The release marks the first chapter in a three-part finale, and industry insiders expect each installment to surpass the last. International fans won’t have to wait long either. Crunchyroll and Sony plan to roll out the trilogy globally starting in August, with North America joining the release slate on September 12.
Global anticipation hits boiling point
While Japan is currently experiencing the eye of the Demon Slayer storm, the ripple effect is already global. Advance interest and ticket sales have surged in regions where the movie hasn’t even premiered. Fans from Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas are preparing for record turnout.
The movie’s momentum also underscores a broader shift: anime, once considered niche, now commands the box office with the power of Hollywood’s largest franchises. Analysts say Infinity Castle is redefining what global studios expect from Japanese animation.
Even streaming platforms are feeling the heat. The original anime series on Netflix and Crunchyroll saw a notable spike in viewership over the past week, as new audiences rushed to catch up before the film’s international launch.
Could Infinity Castle dethrone Mugen Train’s $500M global run?
With such an explosive start, the question now looms—can Infinity Castle surpass the global haul of Mugen Train?
The 2020 film, released during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, shocked the world by becoming the highest-grossing anime film of all time. It beat Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away and even outpaced global live-action releases in certain territories. Its $500 million record seemed untouchable—until now.
With a loyal fanbase, a polished storyline, and international distribution locked in, Infinity Castle may be the only title capable of toppling that throne. The next two chapters of the trilogy could further fuel the frenzy, ensuring the franchise remains a box office juggernaut.
The wait for the next chapter is already becoming unbearable.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.