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Demon Slayer Becomes Japan’s Highest-Grossing Film, Surpassing Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train has just become Japan’s highest-grossing film.

The film, based on the popular manga series, amassed ¥32.47 billion as of Sunday and drew more than 24 million people to theatres since its opening on 16 October despite an ongoing pandemic.

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The film surpassed sales from Hollywood blockbusters, the Harry Potter series, and even the works of the revered Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train took 45 days to become the second highest-grossing movie ever in Japan before claiming the top spot from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away 14 days later. Miyazaki’s Spirited Away took 253 days to eclipse the ¥30 billion mark in box-office sales but Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train did so in 59 days.

demon slayer

Part of the film’s success lies in its compelling storyline that tells the tale of a teenage boy named Tanjiro who joins a band of demon fighters to avenge the slaughter of most of his family. It’s a good fashioned good versus evil story as Tanjiro also attempts to rescue his sister who has turned into a demon too.