The first film in the highly anticipated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy, Akaza Sairai, continues to dominate the Japanese box office. In its eighth weekend, the film ranked at number one, selling 501,000 tickets and earning over 804 million yen (about US$5.45 million) from Friday to Sunday.
So far, the film has sold an impressive 22 million tickets and earned a cumulative 31.4 billion yen (about US$213 million). This achievement makes it the fastest film in Japanese history to surpass 30 billion yen, reaching the milestone in only 46 days.
Breaking Records and Surpassing Classics
The record was previously held by Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which achieved the milestone in 59 days. With this new feat, Infinity Castle: Akaza Sairai proves the continued strength of the Demon Slayer franchise at the global box office.
The film has already surpassed Titanic to become the third-highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. With strong weekend numbers and no signs of slowing down, industry experts predict it will surpass Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in the coming days, cementing Demon Slayer as one of the most successful anime franchises in history.
Creative Team and Music Contributions
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by ufotable, the film continues the studio’s tradition of high-quality animation and faithful storytelling. Ufotable is also credited with the screenplay, ensuring consistency across the trilogy.
The soundtrack features powerhouse artists Aimer and LiSA, who each deliver memorable performances. Aimer’s “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”) sets a dramatic tone, while LiSA’s “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”) delivers an energetic and emotional punch, adding depth to the viewing experience.
Other Films Holding Strong in Japan
While Demon Slayer dominates, other films continue to perform well at the Japanese box office. The live-action adaptation of Kotake Create’s horror game The Exit 8 secured the second spot in its second weekend, with cumulative earnings exceeding 2 billion yen. The film has been screened at prestigious festivals including Cannes, Toronto, and SITGES, and is set for a North American release by NEON in 2026.
Meanwhile, Karada Sagashi: The Last Night, the sequel to the 2022 horror adaptation, opened at number four. The latest Crayon Shin-chan film, Super Magnificent! Scorching Kasukabe Dancers continues its run in the top ten, bringing fresh entertainment to fans of the long-running franchise.
Future Expectations for Demon Slayer Trilogy
The success of Infinity Castle: Akaza Sairai sets high expectations for the remaining two films in the trilogy. With fans eager to see the epic conclusion of Tanjiro’s journey against Muzan Kibutsuji, the following instalments are expected to draw even larger audiences.
Given its record-breaking pace, strong fan loyalty, and the cultural impact of Demon Slayer, the trilogy could redefine box office records for anime films worldwide. As the first instalment continues to climb the charts, all eyes are now on how far the series will go and whether it will surpass Spirited Away to claim the top spot in Japanese cinema history.
