Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns is continuing its historic run at the Japanese box office. Just eight days into its theatrical release, the film has officially surpassed the ¥10 billion mark, reaching an estimated total of ¥10.7 billion (approximately $73 million) as of July 25. If actual tallies from Thursday prove even higher than anticipated, the film may have crossed this milestone in just seven days, beating the 10-day record set by its predecessor, Mugen Train.
Released on July 18, 2025, Infinity Castle opened to unprecedented numbers. Over its first four days, it generated ¥7.32 billion (about $49.5 million), becoming the highest-grossing Japanese film ever for its opening day, single day, and weekend. Daily figures included ¥1.65 billion on its first Friday, followed by increasing weekend earnings and a strong Monday total of ¥1.79 billion, boosted by Japan’s Marine Day national holiday.
According to distributor Toho and media outlets like Japan Times, the film also drew over 5.16 million viewers in just four days, accounting for roughly 4 percent of Japan’s total population. For cinemas still struggling with attendance declines since the pandemic, 2024 saw a 7.1 percent drop in ticket sales compared to 2023. Infinity Castle is proving to be more than just a hit. It is a cultural event that is bringing audiences back to theaters in large numbers.
Critically, Infinity Castle adapts the climactic arc of Koyoharu Gotouge’s best-selling manga with a scale that sets it apart from previous entries in the franchise. Unlike earlier recap films like To the Swordsmith Village, this is a full cinematic installment in a new trilogy, continuing the approach established by Mugen Train. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and animated by Ufotable, the film showcases the studio’s signature high-quality visuals and emotional storytelling.
As it stands, Infinity Castle has already surpassed the initial momentum of several other major anime films. It is now well on its way to joining the ranks of Japan’s top-grossing animated features. For context, Mugen Train still leads with a global total of over $507 million, followed by Your Name, Spirited Away, and Suzume among others. However, Infinity Castle appears on track to challenge those figures—at least domestically—with projections estimating it could reach ¥13 billion by the end of its second weekend.
Internationally, demand is high. The global rollout is scheduled to begin in August across various Asian territories, followed by a wider release in September. In the United States, the film will premiere exclusively in IMAX on September 12, with Sony-owned Crunchyroll handling distribution. An official IMAX-exclusive poster has already been released, underlining the strong global backing for the title.
Looking forward, Infinity Castle seems primed not only to continue its record-setting streak in Japan but also to replicate that success internationally. If early numbers are any indication, the franchise’s latest entry may well become one of the defining box office stories of 2025—not just for anime, but for cinema as a whole.
