The cinematic phenomenon continues as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has rapidly climbed to become the sixth highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, surpassing the monumental success of One Piece Film: Red. Released on July 18, 2025, the film achieved this remarkable feat in just under a month, cementing its place in Japanese box office history.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top Tier
In an astonishing display of domestic box office power, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has garnered approximately ¥21.74 billion (US$147.2 million) in Japan as of August 11, 2025. This monumental figure allowed it to eclipse One Piece Film: Red, which previously held the sixth spot with a total earning of ¥20.33 billion. The swift ascent is particularly notable, as Infinity Castle – Part 1 achieved its ¥20.5 billion milestone in just 24 days, a stark contrast to the 451 days it took One Piece Film: Red to reach a similar benchmark.
Breaking Records from Day One
The first installment of the Infinity Castle trilogy, directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, began its theatrical run by shattering multiple records. On its opening day, it secured the highest opening day gross in Japanese box office history, earning ¥1.64 billion (US$11.11 million) with 1.15 million admissions. This was followed by breaking records for the highest single-day box office revenue and the biggest opening weekend of all time in Japanese cinema, accumulating ¥5.52 billion (US$37.42 million) in its first three days. The film also became the fastest in Japan to surpass the ¥10 billion mark, achieving it in just eight days.
The Legacy of Demon Slayer Films
The continued success of the Demon Slayer franchise in cinemas is not unprecedented. The previous installment, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, released in 2020, still holds the record as the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, a testament to the series’ immense popularity. The Infinity Castle film, unlike recent compilation films, returns to a full-length, original feature format, directly adapting the highly anticipated “Infinity Castle” arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga and serving as a direct sequel to the anime’s fourth season.
International Rollout and Future Prospects
While the domestic performance has been extraordinary, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns is now set for a broad international release. The film began its overseas expansion in Taiwan on August 8 and will continue its rollout across various Asian markets throughout August, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea. A wide global debut, including in North America and Europe, is slated for September. Industry analysts anticipate that the film’s worldwide earnings could exceed $300 million, further solidifying the Demon Slayer brand’s global appeal.
