The phenomenon of Demon Slayer continues its extraordinary theatrical run in Japan, with the latest film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, reaching unprecedented heights at the domestic box office. Within just 13 days of release, the film has amassed a staggering 14.9 billion yen, equivalent to approximately $100.02 million, as of its second Wednesday in theaters. With over 10.4 million admissions already recorded, the film is set to officially surpass the $100 million benchmark on Thursday, placing it firmly among the top-grossing films in Japanese history.
This marks a significant milestone not only for the Demon Slayer franchise but also for the industry at large. In local currency, Infinity Castle has now overtaken Detective Conan: One Eyed Flashback—the 28th entry in that series, which previously held the title for highest-grossing film of 2025 in Japan with 14.59 billion yen. Infinity Castle now ranks as the 17th highest-grossing film of all time in the country. Its current earnings include $4.4 million on its second Wednesday alone, reflecting only a 30 percent drop from its previous week, a remarkable level of consistency for a film already in its second week of release.
The momentum began with its July 18 debut, where the film set multiple records in its opening days. Grossing 7.32 billion yen ($49.5 million) in just four days, it claimed the highest-grossing opening day, single day, and weekend ever for a Japanese film. By its eighth day, it had surpassed the 10 billion yen mark, achieving this feat faster than its own predecessor, Mugen Train, which remains the highest-grossing Japanese film globally with over $507 million.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, Infinity Castle adapts the climactic story arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s original manga, presenting it as a full-length cinematic feature rather than a compilation. The film showcases Ufotable’s trademark combination of visual spectacle and emotional depth. Unlike recap installments such as To the Swordsmith Village, Infinity Castle is the first in a new trilogy, marking a return to the film-first approach that elevated Mugen Train to its historic status.
Globally, anticipation continues to build. The film is scheduled for theatrical release across Asia in August, with Europe, Latin America, and the United States to follow in September. In North America, Infinity Castle will premiere in IMAX theaters on September 12. Distribution will be handled by Crunchyroll, with Sony Pictures providing global marketing support. A dedicated IMAX poster has already been unveiled to accompany the premiere.
In addition to the film’s success, Sega is releasing a new video game titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2. The sequel aims to expand on the original title with a larger roster, refined combat mechanics, and broader story integration, further cementing Demon Slayer as a cross-media juggernaut. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
