In the fiercely competitive Japanese box office, recent figures show a notable resurgence for two major anime films. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has impressively climbed to the #4 spot in its 14th weekend, while Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle has re-entered the top 10, landing at #8 in its 23rd weekend. Both films continue to demonstrate the robust appeal of anime features in Japan, backed by strong fan engagement and strategic promotional efforts.
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s Steady Ascent
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has showcased remarkable staying power in Japanese cinemas. In its 14th weekend (December 19-21), the film garnered 147 million yen (approximately US$937,000) from 99,900 admissions, propelling it five spots up from its previous ninth-place ranking to secure the #4 position.
The film’s cumulative domestic gross has now reached an impressive 9.8 billion yen (about US$62.46 million) from 6.41 million admissions. This performance places it at #51 in Japan’s all-time box office rankings, notably surpassing Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween, which had a total of 9.78 billion yen. To further engage its dedicated fanbase, Japanese theaters began distributing a “Memorial Collection” booklet on December 20. This bonus item features a new interview with Chainsaw Man manga creator Tatsuki Fujimoto and previously unpublished illustrations, contributing to the film’s continued draw.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Enduring Legacy
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, the first in a planned trilogy based on the popular manga, continues to prove its box office might. In its 23rd weekend, the film returned to the top 10, securing the #8 spot.
The movie boasts a staggering 157-day cumulative total domestic gross of 38.61 billion yen (approximately US$246.2 million). While already a massive success, it is still striving to surpass the monumental 40.75 billion yen (about US$259.9 million) achieved by its predecessor, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train. Infinity Castle had previously made headlines by becoming the second highest-grossing film ever in Japan, overtaking Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed Spirited Away. Globally, as of November 16, the film stands as the highest-earning anime film of all time worldwide and the highest-earning Japanese film globally, having sold over 89 million tickets and grossed approximately US$685 million.
In a move to reward loyal viewers, a “Supplemental Pamphlet: Demon Slayer Corps Edition” is being distributed as the 12th bonus item to the first 500,000 attendees, featuring key animation drawings of the Demon Slayer Corps characters. These consistent promotional strategies are vital in maintaining audience interest and driving repeat viewings for both high-performing anime features.
