The highly anticipated Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie has arrived—and it’s already rewriting Japan’s box office history. In just 4 days, this anime epic broke nearly every major domestic record, from opening-day earnings to IMAX performance, setting a new benchmark for what anime films can achieve in theaters.
A Record-Smashing Premiere in Japan
Premiering on July 18, 2025, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Akaza’s Return opened to packed cinemas across Japan. Fans flooded theaters in record numbers, with over 3.84 million viewers attending in the first three days alone. According to official distributor TOHO and reports from Oricon:
- Opening Day (Friday): ¥1.64 billion (~$11.1 million)
- Biggest Day (Sunday): ¥2.03 billion (~$13.8 million)
- Total (3 Days): ¥5.52 billion (~$37.5 million)
- Total (4 Days): ¥7.31 billion (~$49.6 million) with 5.16 million admissions
These numbers don’t just break the franchise’s own records—they top the entire history of Japan’s film industry for single-day, opening weekend, and IMAX opening grosses.
The film earned $3 million in IMAX on day one alone—the highest IMAX opening day in Japanese cinema history. Its four-day IMAX total stands at $3.5 million.
Infinity Castle vs. Mugen Train
Comparisons to the previous blockbuster Mugen Train are inevitable. That film grossed ¥4.62 billion in its first 3 days back in 2020 and eventually surpassed ¥40.4 billion ($500 million globally), becoming the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. But Infinity Castle has outpaced its predecessor’s early performance despite launching in a post-pandemic market.
With this run, many believe Infinity Castle could eventually surpass Mugen Train’s all-time global box office record.
Why This Movie Hit So Hard
Several key factors contributed to Infinity Castle’s explosive launch:
- Franchise Momentum: With four successful anime seasons and one record-breaking movie behind it, Demon Slayer has built a massive global fanbase.
- High Stakes Storyline: The Infinity Castle trilogy adapts the final arc of the manga, meaning every moment is filled with consequence and emotional weight.
- Stunning Animation: Ufotable’s signature blend of fluid action and vivid visuals continues to set the bar for modern anime.
- Eventized Release: Instead of releasing this arc as a TV season, Aniplex and Ufotable opted for a theatrical trilogy, giving fans a cinematic experience.
The trilogy is being directed by Haruo Sotozaki, with production by Ufotable and distribution in Japan by Aniplex and TOHO.
What Happens in the Infinity Castle Arc?
The Infinity Castle storyline is packed with major confrontations and emotional stakes. Here’s what fans can expect in this arc:
- Tanjiro and the Hashira fall into the Infinity Castle—the demons’ final stronghold.
- They face off against the Upper Ranks, including the deadly Akaza, who returns as the central threat in Part 1.
- The arc leads to dramatic battles with Kokushibo and Muzan Kibutsuji, setting up the climactic end of the series.
Global Release Coming Soon
While Japanese fans got the first look, Infinity Castle – Part 1 will hit international markets soon. Here’s what to expect:
- August 2025: Limited early international premieres
- September 12, 2025: Official wide release in the US, Canada, UK, India, and more
Note: “Akaza’s Return” refers specifically to the first part of the trilogy—not the trilogy as a whole.
The remaining two films are already in production. Release dates for Part 2 and Part 3 have not yet been finalized, but fans are hoping for a 2026 global rollout.
Where to Watch and Read Demon Slayer
Can’t wait for the movie? You’ve got options:
- Manga: Available in full on Manga Plus (205 chapters total)
- Anime Seasons 1–4: Stream now on Crunchyroll
- Upcoming Films: Infinity Castle Parts 1–3 will complete the anime adaptation in theaters
The Infinity Castle arc covers chapters 137 to 183 in the manga, for those looking to read ahead.
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has already established itself as a cultural juggernaut. It didn’t just break records—it obliterated them. Whether it can surpass Mugen Train’s final totals remains to be seen, but it’s clear this trilogy is poised to redefine anime cinema once again.
If its current momentum continues through global releases, Infinity Castle may very well claim the title of the highest-grossing anime film ever.
