Chapter 1 of the trilogy beats ‘Mugen Train’ debut numbers with over 3 billion yen and global buzz building
TOKYO — Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Chapter 1 has stormed into Japanese theaters and smashed box office records on its release day, setting a new benchmark for anime films. The latest installment from Ufotable has surpassed the opening day revenue of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, its own record-setting predecessor.
Released on July 18 in Japan, Infinity Castle earned a staggering 1.7 billion yen on its first day, overtaking Mugen Train’s 1.2 billion yen mark. Within hours, that number soared to over 3 billion yen, and with the weekend just beginning, industry analysts expect the film’s opening total to reach unprecedented heights.
Record-Breaking Debut Signals Massive Global Interest
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train set a high bar when it became a global phenomenon in 2020, earning $485 million worldwide—despite pandemic-era theater restrictions. Given Infinity Castle’s 40% stronger start, early projections suggest it could cross $700 million globally, although currency fluctuations, especially a weakening yen, may impact final tallies.
The buzz isn’t just about money—critical and fan reception is overwhelmingly positive. With a current IMDb score of 9.4/10, Infinity Castle is, by ratings alone, one of the highest-reviewed movies in the world. While Rotten Tomatoes scores are yet to drop, fan reactions point to a visually stunning, emotionally gripping continuation of the saga.
International Rollout and Trilogy Timeline
While Japan gets the head start, the film’s international release will span from August to mid-September, including:
- Indonesia – August 15
- Philippines – August 20
- US, UK, Canada, India, South Africa – September 12
- Brazil, Mexico, UAE – September 11
Unofficial reports suggest the final two films in the Infinity Castle trilogy will arrive in 2027 and 2029, bringing a cinematic close to one of the most iconic anime franchises of the decade.
