The newest installment in the wildly popular “Demon Slayer” anime franchise has taken Japan by storm, becoming the fastest film in history to gross 10 billion yen (approximately $67 million), according to industry tracker Kogyo Tsushinsha.
Released on July 18, the film hit the milestone in just eight days, beating the previous record held by its own predecessor, which had reached the same figure in 10 days back in 2020.
In a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the film’s production team expressed their gratitude:
“We thank each and every fan who came to movie theatres and theatre staff who are delivering this to the fans.”
A Cultural Juggernaut
“Demon Slayer,” originally titled Kimetsu no Yaiba, is the brainchild of manga artist Koyoharu Gotouge. The series has become one of the most iconic Japanese cultural exports of the decade. Since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2016, the manga has sold over 200 million copies worldwide, according to publisher Shueisha.
The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a kind-hearted boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by demons and his sister Nezuko is turned into one. With stunning animation, emotionally resonant storytelling, and unforgettable characters, the franchise has attracted fans of all ages across the globe.
A Legacy of Breaking Records
This is not the first time Demon Slayer has made headlines for box office success. The 2020 film “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” became the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, surpassing even Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. The new film continues this legacy of success, setting new standards for Japanese animation in cinema.
The franchise’s popularity places it alongside long-standing titans of anime like “Dragon Ball,” “Naruto,” and “One Piece,” according to Kyodo News. Its impact has been cultural as well as commercial, drawing massive merchandising sales, international streaming deals, and even influencing tourism in regions featured in the series.
What’s Next for Demon Slayer?
With the series continuing to dominate not just manga sales but also anime streaming charts and the silver screen, fans are eagerly anticipating what comes next. The latest film’s success reaffirms Demon Slayer’s status as a global entertainment powerhouse and a symbol of anime’s growing influence in the mainstream media landscape.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, the latest Demon Slayer movie is proving to be more than just a box office hit — it’s a cultural phenomenon.
Source:https://www.arabnews.jp/en/arts-culture/article_152392/
