Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle has achieved record-breaking box office numbers, surpassing US$555 million worldwide to become the highest-grossing Japanese film and anime feature of all time.
In North America, the film earned US $104 million within two weekends, marking the strongest theatrical performance ever for a Japanese release.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini credited the achievement to both the quality of the production and the depth of global anime fandom.
“We didn’t expect to hit $70 million within the first three days,” Purini said, noting that repeat viewing is expected to fuel continued growth. He described the success as proof of anime’s shift from niche culture to mainstream entertainment, explaining, “It’s now undeniable how big anime has become.”
The film was produced by Ufotable with Aniplex, while Sony Pictures handled international distribution. Purini highlighted how collaboration across Sony’s divisions played a key role in the outcome, with Crunchyroll leveraging its direct ties to anime fans alongside Sony Pictures’ global distribution experience.
Adapted from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, the Demon Slayer franchise has grown into one of the most significant global anime properties, with previous film Mugen Train also surpassing US$500 million in 2020. For Sony and Crunchyroll, Infinity Castle’s success underlines anime’s position as a central growth engine within the company.
The Infinity Castle trilogy was announced with no confirmed release dates for the two remaining instalments.
Purini added that the film’s performance demonstrates anime’s diverse audience base, spanning multiple age groups and ethnicities worldwide, reinforcing its growing status as a global cultural force.
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