In a historic moment for anime cinema, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, the blockbuster adaptation of the final arc of the immensely popular Demon Slayer franchise, has been officially nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the Best Motion Picture – Animated category.
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards nominations were announced on December 8, 2025, setting the stage for awards season ahead of the ceremony scheduled for January 11, 2026. Infinity Castle joins a competitive group of animated films that includes titles such as Arco, Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2 in the race for animation’s top honor.
A Milestone for Demon Slayer and Anime
The nomination marks a major achievement for Demon Slayer and Japanese animation as a whole. While anime films have occasionally received international awards recognition in the past including Studio Ghibli’s successes at previous Golden Globes and Oscars Infinity Castle stands out as one of the few anime films based on an ongoing series to earn a nod from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
Produced by ufotable and distributed internationally by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Infinity Castle was released in 2025 as the first chapter of an ambitious three-part cinematic trilogy adapting the climactic final arc of Koyoharu Gotōge’s best-selling manga. Its nomination underscores the film’s broad global impact, both commercially and critically.
Record-Breaking Success
The film has enjoyed extraordinary box office success, grossing over $780 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2025 and setting multiple records for international animated releases. It became the highest-grossing Japanese film in the U.S. market and achieved enormous popularity across Asia, North America, and Europe.
Critics have widely praised the film’s animation quality, intense action sequences, and emotional storytelling, all of which have contributed to its awards season momentum. While some viewers debate the storytelling pacing due to its episodic structure compressed into one cinematic experience, Infinity Castle’s technical artistry remains universally commended.
Anime on the Global Stage
The Golden Globe nomination for Infinity Castle reflects a broader trend of anime breaking into Western awards recognition a space historically dominated by Hollywood and major U.S. animation studios. Following the success of titles like Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, which previously won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, Infinity Castle’s nomination signals continued respect and appreciation for Japanese animation on prestigious international platforms.
For fans and creators alike, this nomination not only celebrates Demon Slayer’s achievements but also highlights the growing cultural influence of anime around the world. As the awards season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Golden Globes in January, with Infinity Castle poised as a strong contender in one of the year’s most exciting, animated film lineups.
Originally written by:BY MATTHEW HERNON
Link to the article: https://www.tokyoweekender.com/entertainment/anime-and-manga/demon-slayer-film-makes-history-with-golden-globe-nomination/
