Tokyo, Japan – The first installment of the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” trilogy has rapidly ascended Japan’s all-time box office charts, securing the fourth position in just 31 days since its release. As of August 17, 2025, the film has amassed a staggering 25.78 billion yen (approximately US$174.32 million), pushing past Makoto Shinkai’s acclaimed “Your Name.” and Disney’s global phenomenon “Frozen” in the process.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top Tier
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: The Return of Akaza,” which premiered on July 18, 2025, has demonstrated unprecedented box office momentum, reflecting the immense popularity of the franchise in Japan. Within its first 31 days, the film sold an impressive 18.27 million tickets, showcasing a powerful turnout from dedicated fans and new audiences alike.
This remarkable performance has allowed “Infinity Castle” to swiftly overtake the lifetime gross of “Your Name.,” which had held the fifth spot since its release in 2016 with 25.17 billion yen. Furthermore, the animated blockbuster surpassed Disney’s “Frozen,” which previously occupied the fourth position with 25.50 billion yen. The film has even exceeded James Cameron’s “Titanic” in terms of admissions, pulling in 18.2 million viewers compared to “Titanic”‘s 18.1 million.
Breaking Records from Opening Day
The success of “Infinity Castle” was evident from its very debut. The film set new records for the highest opening weekend revenue, highest opening day revenue, and highest single-day revenue in Japanese cinema history. It notably became the fastest film in Japan to cross the 10 billion yen mark, achieving this milestone in just eight days – two days quicker than the previous record held by the franchise’s own “Mugen Train” film. This blistering pace highlights the enduring appeal of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga series and its anime adaptation.
The Legacy of Demon Slayer in Japanese Cinema
The “Demon Slayer” franchise has a history of breaking box office records in Japan and globally. The previous feature film, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train,” released in 2020, stands as the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, with an astounding 40.75 billion yen. “Mugen Train” also became the highest-grossing film of 2020 worldwide and the highest-grossing anime and Japanese film of all time globally, marking a historic moment as the first non-Hollywood production to top the annual global box office.
“Infinity Castle” is the first installment of a planned trilogy that will adapt the climactic “Infinity Castle” arc from the original manga, promising more high-stakes action and emotional depth for fans. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, the film continues to impress with its renowned animation quality and intense battle sequences.
With its current trajectory, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” is positioned to continue its impressive run, further solidifying the franchise’s place as a dominant force in the global animation landscape. The film is scheduled for international release, with Crunchyroll distributing it through Sony Pictures Releasing in various Asian countries in August, followed by a worldwide release in September.
