Pratik S
Introduction – Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle fever
Anime enthusiasts worldwide have been patiently waiting for the Infinity Castle arc, which will be the climactic conclusion of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series. The hype went on a paroxysm when Part 1: Akaza’s Return hit Japanese theaters on July 18, 2025, sparking box office firework displays and fueling debate among fans and analysts. Since Mugen Train has grossed more than $507 million in the world and is currently the highest-grossing anime movie, it is only natural to ask if Infinity Castle can beat it.
Opening Weekend: Infinity Castle Breaks Mugen Train’s Records
Within its opening three days, Infinity Castle collected around ¥5.52 billion (~$37.4 million USD) from 3.84 million tickets sold, obliterating Japan’s all-time opening-day, single-day, and weekend marks. The film collected ¥1.63 billion (~$11 million USD) on opening day alone, besting Mugen Train’s ¥1.28 billion opening.
By. By day four, it had already reached ¥7.31 billion (~$49.6 million USD), with more than 5.16 million individuals viewing the anime in Japanese theaters. The highest domestic anime opening of all time is exactly that.
Why These Huge Japan Collections Are Important
The movie opened in 443 Japanese theaters, including IMAX and premium large format, for the widest franchise opening so far. Midnight showtimes sold out in multiple regions, demonstrating the franchise’s huge home country pull.
More impressive, though, is that Infinity Castle did this in a post-pandemic market, as Mugen Train took advantage of being released when competition was low. Even with inflation and increased ticket prices, the healthy box office indicates an even healthier fan base and cultural presence than ever before.
Story Recap – Why Fans Are So Invested
The film is based on the final arc of Demon Slayer, written by Koyoharu Gotouge. The story follows Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hashira as they enter the enigmatic and deadly Infinity Castle to battle Muzan Kibutsuji’s most powerful demons.
Part 1: Akaza’s Return centers on the gruesome fight against Upper Rank demon Akaza, as well as the epic clash between Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Upper Rank One demon Kokushibo. These beloved battles are at the heart of why this entry has attracted so much overwhelming interest.
Worldwide Release Plans & Revenue Projections
Infinity Castle is launched globally from August across parts of the Asian region, and then the major markets such as North America, India, the UK, and Australia from September 12, 2025.
With a four-day Japan-only run of close to $50 million USD, initial estimates indicate the entire trilogy might reach a global figure of $600M–$700M, well surpassing that of Mugen Train’s $507M.
This would make Infinity Castle not only the highest-grossing Demon Slayer movie but possibly the highest-grossing anime film of all time.
Movie Budget & Production Quality
While official budget figures have not been announced, it’s obvious that Ufotable has invested a lot of capital into production. From top-shelf animation, state-of-the-art CGI, IMAX-level visuals, to big-budget worldwide promotion, this movie is on a whole different level.
Mugen Train supposedly had a budget of approximately ¥2 billion (~$18M). Considering the higher production value and magnitude of Infinity Castle, its budget is estimated at much more than that.
Luckily, the front-loaded earnings already guarantee a solid return on investment.
Mugen Train vs Infinity Castle comparison
Let’s compare some of the important opening stats:
Metric Mugen Train Infinity Castle – Part 1
Opening Weekend (¥) ¥4.62B ¥5.52B (3-day), ¥7.31B (4-day)
Opening Day (¥) ¥1.28B ¥1.63B
Worldwide Gross ($M) $507M+ TBD (Projected $600M–$700M)
In only four days, Infinity Castle was already surpassing Mugen Train’s opening figures. If global markets react the same way, the film is set to break all previous records.
Also Read This: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Trilogy official Trailer
Why Infinity Castle Has Better International Appeal
While Mugen Train was released during COVID-19 lockouts, Infinity Castle has a relatively freer international market. The fan base has grown to immense proportions, and anticipation for the last installments of the saga has never been higher.
In addition, the movie draws revenue from brand endorsements, merchandise sales, streaming rights, and enormous online chatter—all of which contribute to its wider cultural significance and potential for long-term profitability.
What’s to Come in the Infinity Castle Trilogy?
Although release dates for Parts 2 and 3 are yet to be confirmed, some insiders propose they might come in 2027 and 2029, respectively. The future movies will center on Tanjiro’s climactic fight scenes, such as the final confrontation with Muzan Kibutsuji.
Should the trend of the past continue, each new sequel may outdo the last in emotional resonance as well as box office returns.
Final Word – Can It Outdo Mugen Train?
Mugen Train raised the bar for what anime could achieve in theaters, and Infinity Castle is poised to soar even higher. With its record-breaking domestic debut, visually stunning realization, crowd-pleasing action, and global release strategy, Infinity Castle is not a movie—it’s a cultural marker.
