Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle has set new box office records, earning more than US$555 million worldwide to become the top-grossing Japanese movie and anime film ever.
In North America, it made US$104 million in just two weekends, the best theatrical run ever for a Japanese release.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini credited the success to the film’s high quality and the strength of anime fans around the world.
We didn’t expect to hit $70 million within the first three days. It’s now undeniable how big anime has become.
Purini said, adding that repeat viewings should keep the numbers climbing. He called the achievement proof that anime has moved from a niche interest to mainstream entertainment, saying
The film was made by Ufotable with Aniplex, and Sony Pictures managed international distribution. Purini said teamwork across Sony’s divisions was key, with Crunchyroll using its direct connection to anime fans along with Sony Pictures’ global reach.
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, the Demon Slayer series has become one of the world’s biggest anime franchises, with the earlier film Mugen Train also topping US$500 million in 2020. For Sony and Crunchyroll, Infinity Castle’s success shows that anime is a major growth driver for the company.
The Infinity Castle trilogy was announced without release dates for the next two films.
Purini also said the film’s results show that anime attracts a wide audience across different ages and backgrounds, strengthening its place as a worldwide cultural force.
Source: Tribune