According to box office observer Kogyo Tsushinsha, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle" debuted on 18/7 and topped the Japanese box office for five consecutive weeks, securing the 4th spot on Japan's all-time highest-grossing films list. Rekijin calls the film's success "unprecedented" in the recent anime and manga world, surpassing familiar names like "Doraemon" and "Detective Conan".

"Demon Slayer" originated as a manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2016 to 2020. According to Touken, the franchise gained significant attention when the anime adaptation, "Tanjiro Kamado: Determination Arc," aired in April 2019.

Before the anime, the manga had only sold around 3.5 million copies, but by July 2019, sales exceeded 80 million. Despite airing late at night, the anime quickly gained a massive viewership. In 2024, "Infinity Train Arc," "Red Light District Arc," "Swordsmith Village Arc," and "Hashira Training Arc" were produced.

Touken attributes "Demon Slayer’s" popularity to several factors: its simple, easy-to-follow storyline with a clear distinction between good and evil, each character's unique personality, and the characters' compelling training journeys to combat the antagonists.

Set during the Taisho period, the story follows young charcoal seller Kamado Tanjiro as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps to fight human-eating demons. The "Infinity Castle Arc," a trilogy of films, focuses on the final battle at Infinity Castle, the demons' secret base. The climax intensifies as the swordsmen enter the ultimate showdown at Infinity Castle, the secret lair of demon king Muzan Kibutsuji.

While the Taisho era feels distant to modern viewers, it still evokes empathy. Human anxieties about change, future uncertainties, and the search for life's meaning are timeless themes. Beneath its action and fantasy exterior, "Demon Slayer" explores family, friendship, and mentorship – universal values that resonate with diverse audiences.

Beyond the human-demon conflict, the story reflects human pain, weakness, and aspirations. The villains are portrayed as lost souls seeking happiness. Muzan, powerful and immortal, cannot endure sunlight and lives in constant fear of death. Akaza craves ultimate power to protect loved ones, leading him to sell his soul to demons. Douma lives in a delusion of perfection, always smiling while his hands are stained with blood.

The visuals are a major strength. Studio Ufotable blends 2D and CGI animation techniques to create cinematic battles. The aesthetically pleasing effects of water, fire, and lightning associated with each technique showcase each character's distinct style. The vibrant, colorful world reflects Japanese artistic sensibilities. Traditional elements like kimonos, swordsmanship, and bushido spirit blend with Western cultural influences. The theme song "Gurenge," performed by Japanese singer LiSA, has garnered hundreds of millions of online listens.

In October 2020, when "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Train" premiered in Japan, the seemingly niche anime film became a box office sensation, the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Amid a pandemic, the film earned USD 507 million globally, surpassing "Spirited Away's" previous record of USD 396 million.

Almost a decade after its release, the manga's sales surpassed 220 million copies. Characters like Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Zenitsu have become new icons in Japanese pop culture. In Thailand, cosplay events are filled with Tanjiro and Nezuko portrayals.

In the US, the series gained traction thanks to its stunning action sequences and animation, according to Cnet. "Mugen Train" achieved a record-breaking USD 21 million opening weekend, the highest for an anime film in the country. "Infinity Castle" has the highest anime pre-sale ticket numbers, according to ticketing platform Fandango.

In France, on 19/8, "Infinity Castle" sold out in under a minute at Le Grand Rex, with over 10,000 people vying for around 2,700 seats. Screenings in London (UK) also sold out before the release date.

Kamado Tanjiro's demon-slaying team in "Demon Slayer." Photo: Crunchyroll

In Vietnam, the new film grossed over 113 billion VND, marking the highest-grossing anime opening weekend at the Vietnamese box office. The Vietnamese "Demon Slayer" fan community thrives on social media. Cosplay and fanart groups in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City attract thousands of young people who embody the characters.

Kaori Mikawa, a professor at Kyoto Seika University (Japan), notes that "Demon Slayer" offers both entertainment and an exploration of human anxieties, hopes, and the will to live. Cnet comments, "The series' success reflects a shift in pop culture consumption, with Japanese anime products now competing directly with Hollywood films."

Que Chi (adapted from Touken, Nippon)