Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle : un triomphe annoncé

After months of anticipation, the Demon Slayer fan world has finally been fulfilled with the release of the film Infinity Castle, the first installment in the trilogy concluding the manga's final arc. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable studio, this feature-length film promises to transport viewers into an epic clash between demon hunters and the dark forces.

Released on July 18, 2025, the film immediately won over Japanese audiences. Theaters saw a massive influx of viewers, and the box office exploded in its first weekend, grossing approximately 6 billion yen (~40.6 million USD). The film broke historical records, becoming the biggest opening weekend of all time in Japan, grossing 5.52 billion yen (37.42 million USD) over three days. In eight days, it crossed the 10 billion yen (~71 million USD) mark, setting a new record for the fastest-grossing film to reach this threshold. In 34 days, it generated $203.69 million worldwide.

At the end of August, Infinity Castle crossed the $196 million mark in Japan, becoming the third-highest-grossing film in the country's history, behind Spirited Away and Mugen Train. It is now about $8 million away from surpassing Spirited Away for second place.

The film received an enthusiastic reception from Japanese audiences, garnering an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 on Filmarks, based on over 8,000 reviews. Critics praised the stunning animation, character arcs, and intense battle sequences. However, some expressed reservations about the narrative structure, which was sometimes deemed repetitive, and the excessive use of flashbacks, which may have hindered the film's pacing.

Infinity Castle is the first film in a trilogy adapting the final arc of the Demon Slayer manga (chapters 137 to 205). Unlike the previous films, which were compilations of the anime seasons, this trilogy was designed to fully capture the dramatic scale of the final arc. The first installment, titled Akaza Returns, follows Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu as they descend into Muzan Castle to rescue the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. The film features iconic battles, including those against Akaza, Shinobu, and Zenitsu.

The trilogy replaces what would have been the anime's fifth season and will be a theatrical exclusive, with international releases planned on streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and Netflix. A new trailer has been released, showcasing the final battle theme and new songs from LiSA and Aimer. While the full voice cast remains under wraps, familiar voices are expected to return, alongside newcomers such as Channing Tatum and Rebecca Wang.