Fans in cosplay poses for a commemorative photo before a screening of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, Part 1: Akaza Returns at a movie theater in Shanghai, China, on November 13 (©Kyodo).
The latest Demon Slayer film, Infinity Castle, Part 1: Akaza Returns, has shattered records with global box-office earnings surpassing ¥100 billion JPY ($640 million USD). It is the first Japanese film in history to reach that milestone. United States media say Japanese anime now commands a presence on par with Disney, driven by shifting tastes among younger viewers.
And despite worsening Japan-China relations, the film is enjoying strong momentum in China, where review sites are filled with high scores. Even so, a handful of Chinese outlets have attempted to tie the film to Japan's prewar "militarism," injecting politics into an otherwise overwhelmingly positive reception.
Rivaling Disney
Demon Slayer has shattered records across the North American market, holding the No 1 spot for two straight weekends. US outlets have called the film's performance "surprising," yet coverage has been overwhelmingly positive. What was once dismissed as niche content is now winning over young Americans and carving out a powerful position in Hollywood.
The film opened in the US and Canada in September, and according to the Associated Press, its first weekend brought in an estimated $70 million USD. That figure more than doubles the $31 million debut of Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1999), setting a new all-time opening record for a Japanese animated film.
Analysts told AP that the results underscore the unpredictability of the box office and the remarkable fact that a Japanese anime film could open to $70 million.
Several outlets, including AP, attributed the film's strong numbers to its broad popularity in America and the strategic timing of its September release, a window with few major Hollywood competitors. They also highlighted the strong social-media buzz and noted that many viewers went to theaters specifically for ufotable's dynamic, high-quality animation.
Anime's Rise in US Pop Culture
US media further reported that for young audiences, leading Japanese anime titles now carry a cultural presence comparable to Disney. Bloomberg observed that Demon Slayer's box-office performance matches what Hollywood would typically expect from major franchises like James Bond. A genre once considered deeply niche is now embraced by athletes, celebrities, and mainstream audiences who help define what is "cool" in American pop culture.
Some US outlets also discussed the film alongside Netflix's animated feature KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters, noting that both titles reflect the growing appetite for anime-influenced storytelling.
The New York Times commented that, at a time when Hollywood is struggling to keep pace with shifting generational tastes, the success of these films shows how younger audiences are gravitating toward new styles and formats. With a relatively modest production budget of about $20 million, Demon Slayer has delivered exceptionally strong returns, underscoring its efficiency as a commercial blockbuster.
As the Academy Awards approach in March, Variety reported that the film's US distributor is weighing an Oscar campaign, citing its standout music, visual design, and overall craftsmanship as strengths that could support an awards push.
Box-Office Success and Political Tension
Demon Slayer opened in China on November 14, just as Beijing was protesting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Diet remarks about a potential Taiwan contingency. Although there were fears the film might be pulled, it went on to earn roughly ¥630 million CPY (about $88 million) by December 4, becoming the second-highest-grossing foreign film in China this year.
In the wake of Takaichi's comments, Chinese authorities postponed multiple Japanese anime releases. These included Crayon Shin-chan and Detective Conan. State broadcaster CCTV said the delays were made out of consideration for "audience sentiment."
At a November 25 press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the cancellations of Japanese films and concerts reflected how Takaichi's "incorrect remarks" had damaged the feelings of the Chinese public and worsened the climate for Japan–China exchanges, signaling that the move was also intended as a diplomatic countermeasure.
Douban Slayer
Despite Beijing's tougher stance, Demon Slayer was one of the few Japanese films that avoided postponement. The reason is unclear, but it may reflect the exceptionally strong anticipation surrounding the release.
On the major review platform Douban, roughly 165,000 users have already rated the film, giving it an impressive average score of 8.5 out of 10. Viewers praised its visuals, emotional impact, and overall craftsmanship, and similar high ratings appear across other sites as well.
Japanese animation has long had a devoted following in China. Studio Ghibli titles like Spirited Away and long-running favorites such as Doraemon consistently draw wide audiences. More recently, the 2023 hit The First Slam Dunk earned around ¥660 million CPY ($93 million) and became a significant cultural phenomenon, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Japanese works despite broader political tensions.
Even as Japan-China relations continue to worsen, Demon Slayer is on track to surpass The First Slam Dunk's box-office total. Judging from the outpouring of positive reviews, the film may even be acting as a quiet "buffer," helping sustain more favorable public sentiment toward Japan among ordinary Chinese viewers.
Desperate Criticism
At the same time, several Chinese media outlets have tried to link the film to Japan's so-called "militarism," using it as a vehicle for broader political criticism.
Alt: At the same time, several Chinese media outlets have tried using it as a vehicle for broader political criticism and to link the film to Japan's perceived prewar militaristic image.
On November 28, the news site Guancha published an article calling Demon Slayer an "interesting depiction of Taisho-era romance," but also claiming that the demons' uncontrollable regenerative abilities resemble what it described as the "stubborn traits of Japan's political right." The piece argued that "the demons that once pushed Japan down a violent, irreversible path still control the country today."
Paired with a photograph of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the article went on to assert that for Japan to eliminate far-right ideology, like slaying a demon, it would have to "endure deep pain" in the process.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Eiji Honma, Tomo Kuwamura, The Sankei Shimbun
