Demon Slayer: The Infinity Fortress Overtakes a Ghibli Giant at the Box Office

Culture
By Newsroom,  published 12 September 2025 at 10h01, updated on 12 September 2025 at 10h01.
Culture

Aniplex / PR-ADN

Studio Ghibli’s longstanding dominance at the box office has been overtaken, as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Infinity Fortress surpasses one of its iconic films, marking a significant shift in the landscape of Japanese animation.

TL;DR

  • Demon Slayer breaks Spirited Away’s Japanese box office record.
  • Western success needed to top franchise’s previous global record.
  • Uncertainty remains about future films or manga continuation.

    • A New Box Office Champion in Japan

    There are moments when the numbers simply speak for themselves. The latest installment of the acclaimed anime franchise, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by ufotable, has achieved what once seemed unthinkable: it has overtaken Studio Ghibli’s legendary film, Spirited Away, at the Japanese box office. With a staggering 31.7 billion yen (about $215 million) in ticket sales, this shonen phenomenon led by Tanjiro and his companions now stands as a new benchmark in its home country.

    The Race Toward an Even Higher Summit

    Yet, while surpassing an icon like Miyazaki’s masterpiece is a headline-grabbing feat, another challenge looms large for the teams at Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Tōhō. The current record-holder for the highest-grossing Japanese animated film remains none other than their own previous release: Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which amassed 40.7 billion yen (around $276 million) in 2020. To dethrone itself on the world stage, Infinity Castle must now conquer Western audiences and add another $60 million to its tally—an ambition that will be put to the test as North American screens prepare for its September 12, 2025 debut.

    The Future Remains Uncertain for Fans and Industry Watchers Alike

    Despite this recent success, clarity is still lacking about how—or when—the saga will reach its conclusion. The studio, ufotable, has announced plans for two final films to wrap up the story, but neither release dates nor details have been confirmed. Such uncertainty fuels both fan anticipation and industry speculation in equal measure.

    It’s worth considering a few facts shaping expectations:

  • The manga written by Koyoharu Gotouge ended definitively in 2020, with no word yet on sequels or spin-offs.
  • Though some industry trends point toward continuations—such as with hits like Jujutsu Kaisen—Demon Slayer’s future beyond these planned movies remains officially undecided.

    • A Global Challenge Ahead

    As Demon Slayer rides a wave of international enthusiasm, all eyes are on whether this momentum can carry it to fresh global records. Whether the franchise can leverage its immense popularity into one more box office triumph—or if this chapter marks the peak—remains to be seen. For now, fans worldwide will have to watch and wait, with patience once again becoming part of the journey.