The battle inside the Infinity Castle isn’t just thrilling on screen—it’s rewriting anime history at the box office. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle (Part 1: Akaza Returns) has soared past legendary Studio Ghibli milestones, turning in record numbers and proving once more that the Demon Slayer franchise is a heavyweight in the global animation ring.
Demon Slayer Opening Day: Quiet Village Meets Thunder
From the moment Infinity Castle cracked open theaters on July 18, 2025, it set off seismic waves in Japan’s box office charts. According to Polygon.com, on its opening day, it raked in ¥1.64 billion (~US$11.1 million) with 1.15 million tickets sold—making it the highest opening day gross in Japanese cinema history.
By the third day, the film had posted ¥2.03 billion (~US$13.8 million), setting the new benchmark for single-day box office revenue in Japan. That lead-up weekend? A staggering ¥5.52 billion (~US$37.4 million) from 3.84 million admissions, enough to crown Infinity Castle the biggest opening weekend ever in Japanese history—overtaking its own predecessor, Mugen Train.
Ghibli vs. Demon Slayer: David and Goliath in the Theater
Trailer for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment/Crunchyroll
One of the more jaw-dropping moments in this box office saga: Infinity Castle has officially overtaken Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in total domestic gross (as of September 2025), placing itself as Japan’s second-highest-grossing film of all time. It now trails only Mugen Train in that all-time ranking.
Also, in just about ten days after release, Infinity Castle became the fastest Japanese film ever to reach ¥10 billion, surpassing the speed of Mugen Train.
Five Records, One Movie: The Meteoric Rise
In four days, Infinity Castle didn’t just perform well—it smashed five separate opening records in Japan. These include:
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Highest opening day
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Highest single-day revenue
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Biggest three-day debut
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Best IMAX opening day for local or international films
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Highest box office attendance during a holiday period in its early run
The momentum isn’t limited to just domestic showings either—pre-sales, international rollout, and critical reception are all feeding into what may become one of the highest-grossing anime films ever.
Final Thoughts
With Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle carving its way past Studio Ghibli’s storied past and setting new records in speed, size, and revenue, the anime world is watching. Not only has the film surpassed Spirited Away in domestic earnings, but its record-breaking opening weekend and rapid rise to ¥10 billion yen show that Demon Slayer isn’t just riding a wave—it’s creating one.
Will Infinity Castle go on to dethrone Mugen Train as Japan’s highest-grossing film ever? Fans and analysts believe it’s possible. One thing’s for sure: Demon Slayer has redefined what blockbuster anime can be, and the legacy of this film will be felt for a long time in studios, cinema halls, and fandoms alike.
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