It’s another one for the history books, as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has become the first Japanese film ever to cross US$600 million at the global box office. After a smashing US$70 million U.S. opening gross, the latest entry in the hit anime series now stands at US$606.5 million worldwide, with the figure expected to rise in the coming weeks, especially if it secures a release in China.
The current upward trajectory also puts it in a promising position to overtake James Gunn’s Superman, which finished its theatrical run as this year’s highest-grossing superhero film with a global haul of over US$615 million. In Japan, the anime film has earned US$235.7 million, outperforming its predecessor, Infinity Train, to the top spot on the country’s list of highest-grossing movies of all time. North American audiences contributed US$115.8 million, while international markets racked up another US$255 million to the current haul.
Haruo Sotozaki, who previously helmed Infinity Train, is directing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle at returning studio ufotable. It picks up after the finale of the fourth anime season, where Muzan Kibutsuji (Toshihiko Seki / Greg Chun) traps Tanjiro Kamado (Natsuki Hanae / Zach Aguliar) and his companions of the Demon Slayer Corps inside his fortress, the Infinity Castle, kicking off a decisive battle between the Demon Slayers and Muzan’s subordinates, the Upper Moons. Aimer’s “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”) and LiSA’s “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”) are featured as the opening and ending theme songs.
The film is the first part of a planned trilogy set to adapt the titular arc of Koyoharu Gotouge’s best-selling manga series. New cast additions to the English dub include Channing Tatum (Deadpool and Wolverine) and Rebecca Wang (Blue Eye Samurai), who voice Keizo and Koyuki, respectively.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
