The anime phenomenon continues its unprecedented run with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns officially surpassing James Cameron’s Titanic at the Japanese box office, securing its place as the third highest-grossing film of all time in the country. The film has also broken multiple records across Southeast Asia, demonstrating the franchise’s expanding global influence.
Released in Japan on July 18, 2025, the first installment of the highly anticipated “Infinity Castle” trilogy has rapidly ascended the cinematic ranks, drawing in millions of viewers and generating staggering revenue.
Unprecedented Box Office Domination in Japan
In just 38 days since its premiere, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has accumulated an astonishing ¥28.08 billion (approximately $187 million) in domestic earnings. This monumental achievement pushed it past Titanic‘s long-standing total of ¥27.77 billion, solidifying its position among Japan’s cinematic giants.
The film’s success extends beyond revenue, with over 19.82 million admissions recorded, further highlighting its immense popularity among Japanese audiences. This makes it the third most-watched film in Japanese history by admissions, overtaking Frozen.
While setting new benchmarks, Infinity Castle still trails two other titans in Japan’s box office history: its predecessor, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which holds the top spot with ¥40.75 billion, and Studio Ghibli’s classic Spirited Away, which sits at ¥31.68 billion. However, Infinity Castle has already made history by achieving the fastest climb to ¥10 billion in just eight days, outperforming Mugen Train‘s previous record of ten days.
Southeast Asia Embraces the Demon Slayer Phenomenon
The film’s success is not confined to its domestic market. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has made an explosive international debut, particularly across Southeast Asia, where it has shattered numerous records.
In South Korea, the movie achieved a record-breaking opening weekend, grossing nearly $13 million from 1.65 million admissions, a significant leap from Mugen Train‘s initial Korean opening. The film captured a commanding 72.6% of the market share during its opening weekend in the region, indicating overwhelming positive reception.
Furthermore, Infinity Castle has outperformed the entire regional lifetime gross of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train in several key markets, including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It also established itself as the highest all-time opening for an animated film in eight Southeast Asian territories, surpassing even Disney’s Frozen II. These early international showings contributed to a worldwide gross exceeding $200 million within 34 days, with over $44 million coming from international markets in its first week alone. IMAX screenings have also played a crucial role in its global performance, generating over $28.5 million internationally.
The Legacy of Demon Slayer Continues
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns is the first of a planned three-part adaptation of the manga’s climactic “Infinity Castle” arc, directed by Haruo Sotozaki and animated by Ufotable. This multi-film approach, following the success of Mugen Train, indicates a strategic expansion of the beloved franchise. With international releases continuing through August in select Asian markets and a North American release scheduled for September 12, the film is poised to further solidify Demon Slayer‘s position as a global box office powerhouse.
