According to Box Office Vietnam, an independent box office tracking website, from 15/8 to 17/8, the film sold over 620,000 tickets, filling 11,700 screenings. It significantly outperformed competitors like "Mang me di bo" (10.8 billion VND) and "Dinh leo" (3.5 billion VND). Previously, during early screenings on 14/8, many theaters in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi reported sold-out IMAX showings.

A Box Office Vietnam representative noted this is an unprecedented achievement for an anime film in the domestic market. With its current popularity, the film could surpass the record held by "Minions: The Rise of Gru" (199 billion VND) to become the highest-grossing animated film ever.

Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village is the first in a trilogy of films directed by Haruo Sotozaki. The story follows Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of demons, as he attacks the Ubuyashiki mansion, drawing Tanjiro and the Hashira (elite swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps) into the Swordsmith Village, where a life-or-death battle against the demons ensues.

The filmmakers invested heavily in the setting, creating a sense of awe. The fast-paced action sequences, combined with impressive lighting effects, create a thrilling experience. The film also delves into the psychological depths of the Hashira and the antagonists, hinting at conflicts to come in later installments.

A cinema in Thu Duc City posted a notice that all IMAX screenings of "Demon Slayer" were sold out on 14/8. *Photo: Cinema provided*

Before its release in Vietnam, the project swept box offices across Asia. According to Yahoo, the film has surpassed 25.7 billion yen (174 million USD) in its first month, attracting 18.27 million viewers. It holds the 4th position on the list of the highest-grossing films in Japanese cinematic history.

On 8/8, the film premiered in Taiwan with thousands of pre-booked tickets. The three-day opening weekend gross reached 176 million Taiwan dollars (about 5.9 million USD), 50% higher than the opening record of "Mugen Train," on par with Hollywood blockbusters like Avengers and Fast & Furious. In Thailand, the film earned over 150 million baht (over 4.6 million USD) after just five days of release.

Kamado Tanjiro, the main character in the film. *Photo: Crunchyroll*

Demon Slayer is a manga series written and illustrated by Gotouge Koyoharu, first published in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2016. Set in Taisho-era Japan, the story revolves around the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization that fights against man-eating demons. The story begins when young charcoal seller Kamado Tanjiro returns home to find his family murdered and his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon. Determined to save his sister and avenge his family, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps.

In September 2019, the manga was adapted into a 26-episode anime series, becoming a viral sensation. According to publisher Shueisha on 17/7, the manga has sold over 220 million copies.

Que Chi