TOKYO – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has officially entered the top 10 highest-grossing films in Japanese box office history, achieving this remarkable feat in a mere 17 days since its release. The first installment of the highly anticipated trilogy, which adapts the climax of Koyoharu Gotouge’s popular manga, has demonstrated an unprecedented commercial success, continuing the Demon Slayer franchise’s trend of breaking box office records.
Released on July 18, 2025, the film has quickly captivated audiences, accumulating an estimated ¥17.84 billion (approximately US$119.6 million) in cumulative earnings by the end of its third weekend. This impressive figure allowed it to surpass long-standing hits such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Bayside Shakedown 2.
A Meteoric Rise: Breaking Records from Day One
The Infinity Castle film wasted no time in making its mark on the Japanese box office. Its opening day on July 18, 2025, generated ¥1.64 billion (US$11.11 million) from 1.15 million admissions, setting a new record for the highest opening day gross in Japanese box office history. The momentum continued through its opening weekend, with a three-day total reaching ¥5.52 billion (US$37.42 million) from 3.84 million admissions, marking the biggest opening weekend of all time in Japanese cinema.
Within just eight days of its release, the film crossed the ¥10 billion mark (approximately US$71.0 million), selling 7.5 million tickets, making it the fastest film in Japan to achieve this milestone. This broke the previous record set by the franchise’s own Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train.
The “Infinity Castle” Phenomenon: Why It Resonates
The success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns highlights the enduring popularity of the Demon Slayer franchise in Japan. Unlike the previous Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training adaptations, which were compilation films, Infinity Castle is a full-length, multi-film adaptation designed to delve deeply into the manga’s dramatic climax. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, this film offers a wholly new narrative that directly follows the events of the anime’s fourth season, providing a darker and more intense story for fans.
The film’s domestic box office success has also made it the highest-grossing film of 2025 in Japan so far. It has garnered over 12.8 million admissions, placing it among the most-watched films in the country’s cinematic history.
International Release and Future Prospects
While Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns continues its dominant run in Japan, international audiences are eagerly awaiting its release. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Releasing are distributing the film in various international markets, with staggered release dates beginning in August 2025. North American screenings, including IMAX and other premium large formats, are set to begin on September 12, 2025. The film will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles and an English dub.
The Infinity Castle arc is the final arc of the Demon Slayer manga, and this cinematic trilogy is expected to bring Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu’s stories to a theatrical conclusion. The immense success of the first film in Japan sets a high bar for the subsequent parts of the trilogy and solidifies Demon Slayer‘s position as a cultural phenomenon.
