Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle vs The Mugen Train: Breaks Box Office Records

ANIME UPDATESBOX OFFICE BLOCKBUSTER

7/26/20251 min read

On July 18, 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1: Akaza Returns premiered in Japan — kicking off the highly anticipated final arc in Demon Slayer’s cinematic trilogy. As the first of a three-part finale, it set the stage for one of the biggest anime events of the year.

📅 Release & Holiday Boost

The film debuted in 400+ theaters across Japan on Friday, July 18, coinciding with Marine Day, a public holiday that significantly boosted attendance throughout the four-day opening window.

📈 Box Office Breakdown

According to official figures:

Opening Day (Day 1): ¥1.64 billion (~$11.1M USD), breaking the previous single-day record.
Day 3 (Sunday): Set a new highest single-day gross: ¥2.03 billion (~$13.8M USD).
3-Day Total (July 18–20): ¥5.52 billion (~$37.5M USD), surpassing Mugen Train’s three-day debut.
4-Day Total (including Marine Day): ¥7.31 billion (~$49.7M USD) from 5.16 million tickets sold.

That makes Infinity Castle Part 1 the second-biggest opening of 2025 in Japan, trailing only Detective Conan: One‑Eyed Flashback at roughly ¥14.47 billion year‑to‑date.

🧩 Why It Matters

1. Record-Breaking Weekend

It smashed previous anime box office records for opening day, single-day, and weekend totals — beating even Mugen Train in yen terms.

2. Holiday Surge

The inclusion of Marine Day (July 20) in the first four days gave it a strong edge over openings without holiday support.

3. Trilogy Momentum

As Part 1 of a trilogy, this film is building anticipation for Parts 2 and 3, giving Demon Slayer more box office power than a single release.

💬 Final Thoughts

Infinity Castle Part 1 has delivered spectacular numbers — and while it may not dethrone Mugen Train’s global record, its opening was stronger in yen-based metrics. With Parts 2 and 3 still to come, the trilogy has a solid chance to surpass the previous benchmark for highest-grossing anime franchise.