In a monumental achievement for the anime industry, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has officially surpassed Studio Ghibli’s critically acclaimed Spirited Away to become the second-highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. The film, which premiered in Japan on July 18, 2025, continues the franchise’s unprecedented box office dominance.
Demon Slayer Claims Second Spot on Japan’s All-Time Box Office Chart
As of September 10, 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1 had garnered over ¥31.7 billion (approximately $215 million USD) at the Japanese box office. This impressive figure edged out Spirited Away‘s long-standing domestic total of ¥31.68 billion, solidifying Infinity Castle – Part 1‘s position as the second-highest-grossing film in Japanese cinematic history. The film’s rapid ascent comes less than two months after its domestic release.
A New Era for Japanese Cinema
For years, Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning masterpiece, Spirited Away, released in 2001, stood as an unshakeable icon, setting a high standard for Japanese animated films at the box office. Its reign as the second-highest-grossing film for decades underscores the significance of Infinity Castle – Part 1‘s achievement. The speed at which the Demon Slayer film reached this milestone highlights the fervent passion of its fanbase and the immense cultural impact of the franchise.
The Unstoppable Force of the Demon Slayer Franchise
The latest Demon Slayer film’s success is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of the franchise’s extraordinary box office performance. Its predecessor, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, released in 2020, currently holds the undisputed title of Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time, with a staggering ¥40.75 billion. Mugen Train also became the first Japanese film to gross over half a billion dollars worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film globally in 2020—an unprecedented feat for a non-Hollywood production.
Infinity Castle’s Record-Shattering Debut
From its opening day, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1 demonstrated its potential to be a record-breaker. It secured the highest opening day gross in Japanese box office history with ¥1.64 billion and went on to claim the biggest opening weekend with a three-day total of ¥5.52 billion. The film continued its strong run internationally, achieving a record-breaking opening weekend for an anime film in the United States, grossing an estimated $70 million. Globally, the film has already crossed the $450 million milestone, making it the second-highest-grossing anime film ever worldwide, surpassing Your Name and Spirited Away‘s global hauls.
What’s Next for the Infinity Castle Saga?
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1 is the first installment in a planned trilogy that will conclude the popular anime television series. With its current momentum, analysts are keenly watching to see if Infinity Castle – Part 1 can close the remaining gap of approximately ¥9 billion to challenge Demon Slayer: Mugen Train for the ultimate top spot in Japan. If successful, the Demon Slayer franchise would hold the top two positions in Japanese box office history, an unparalleled achievement. The upcoming parts of the Infinity Castle trilogy are highly anticipated, promising to further cement Demon Slayer‘s legacy as a cultural phenomenon.
