“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” has obliterated box office records in Japan, launching with historic figures and powering a massive global Imax weekend.
Released on July 18 by Toho and backed by Aniplex (a Sony Group company), the animated feature earned a staggering JPY1.65 billion ($11.13 million) from 1,155,637 admissions on opening day – marking the highest single-day box office gross in Japanese history. Over the July 18–20 weekend, the film took in $37.3 million from 3,843,613 admissions. Including Monday’s Marine Day holiday, the four-day total reached $49.4 million from 5,164,348 tickets sold – also a new national record.
Directed by Sotozaki Haruo and produced by ufotable, “Infinity Castle” adapts the climactic final arc of Gotouge Koyoharu’s blockbuster manga. Returning voice cast members include Hanae Natsuki, Kitō Akari, Shimono Hiro, and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu. The film follows the Demon Slayer Corps’ all-out assault on Kibutsuji Muzan’s stronghold in a bid to end the war between humans and demons.
The film also set a new benchmark for Imax in Japan, grossing $3 million from 59 Imax screens during the Friday–Sunday frame – a new record for the format in the country. By the end of the four-day holiday, Imax takings had reached $3.5 million, with a per-screen average of $48,000. “Infinity Castle” will begin rolling out in North America and international territories from Sept. 12, via Toho, Aniplex and Crunchyroll.
Holding steady at No. 2, Aniplex’s “Kokuho” continues its robust theatrical run. After 46 days in release, the film has grossed $44.9 million from 4,721,319 admissions. It dropped just 15% from the previous weekend – a rare feat for a prestige drama.
Directed by Lee Sang-il and based on Yoshida Shuichi’s novel, “Kokuho” premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in May. The film stars Yoshizawa Ryo as Kikuo, the son of a yakuza who is adopted by legendary kabuki master Watanabe Ken (as Hanai Hanjiro II). Trained alongside his foster brother Yokohama Ryusei (as Shunsuke), Kikuo rises to prominence as an onnagata, or male performer of female kabuki roles, while grappling with artistic ambition and personal rivalry across five decades.