The first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle trilogy has rapidly ascended to become one of Japan’s top 10 highest-grossing films of all time, achieving this feat in just 17 days since its premiere. As of August 4, 2025, the film, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, has garnered a staggering 17.63 billion yen (approximately US$119.5 million) and sold over 12.5 million tickets.
A Meteoric Rise to Box Office Stardom
Released on July 18, 2025, the highly anticipated Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns wasted no time in breaking box office records. It secured the biggest opening weekend of all time in Japanese cinema, accumulating 5.52 billion yen (US$37.42 million) from 3.84 million admissions in its first three days. The film also set a new record for the highest single-day box office revenue in Japan.
Within just eight days of its release, the movie surpassed the 10-billion-yen mark, selling 7.5 million tickets and becoming the fastest film in Japan to achieve this milestone, outpacing its predecessor, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train. This rapid ascent highlights the immense popularity and strong word-of-mouth appeal of the Demon Slayer franchise among Japanese audiences.
Overtaking Cinematic Giants
The film’s impressive performance allowed it to quickly climb the ranks of Japan’s all-time highest-grossing films. By surpassing the 2003 film Bayside Shakedown 2, which grossed ¥17.35 billion, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns officially secured its place as the 10th highest-earning film in Japanese history.
Prior to entering the top 10, the film also surpassed other notable titles such as Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram, Avatar, and The First Slam Dunk in its journey through the domestic market.
The Legacy of Demon Slayer in Japanese Cinema
The Demon Slayer franchise has consistently demonstrated its powerful presence in the Japanese box office. The previous film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, released in 2020, still holds the unbroken record for Japanese box office success, earning over 40.43 billion yen domestically. While Infinity Castle remains far from this peak, its current trajectory solidifies the franchise’s significant impact on the country’s cinematic landscape.
What’s Next for the Infinity Castle Trilogy?
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns is the first installment in a planned trilogy adapting the climactic Infinity Castle arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s popular manga series. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and animated by Ufotable, this film offers a wholly new and darker narrative, following the events of the anime’s fourth season.
Following its successful domestic debut, the film is scheduled for international release between August 14 and September 25, 2025, with screenings planned across various Asian countries, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and South Korea. The continued success of this first part sets a high bar for the subsequent films in the trilogy.
