The long-awaited first chapter of the final Demon Slayer film trilogy, Infinity Castle, has finally arrived—on 12 September 2025 in India (international releases spread in preceding weeks) and has since lit up fan reactions, theatres, and the global box office.
Demon Slayer Box Office & Records
- In India, Infinity Castle crossed ₹10–13 crore net on its opening day. The film’s English and Hindi versions led the way in collections, with strong occupancy in cities like Kochi and Chennai.
- Globally, it’s broken multiple records in Japan: highest opening day, best single-day earnings, best three-day debut; it has now overtaken Spirited Away to become Japan’s second-highest-grossing film ever, second only to Mugen Train.
- Early box-office projections are bullish: in the U.S., some estimates suggest Infinity Castle could outdo Pokémon: The First Movie’s decades-old record for the most earned opening weekend among anime films.
Release Highlights & Fan Anticipation
- Infinity Castle is being released in multiple formats in India (Japanese original, English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu) with midnight shows and even “pre-dawn” screenings (as early as 5:00 am in some cities) to meet the huge demand.
- Before its release, advance ticket sales were already breaking records. Some theatres sold out fast, especially for the Japanese 2D IMAX version.
Critical and Fan Reception
- The animation studio Ufotable has once again been praised as going above and beyond—fans and critics alike note that the visuals are top-tier, especially in action scenes and fight choreography.
- Many say the film stays faithfully true to the manga, especially in capturing emotional moments and character arcs.
- Some criticism: pacing is uneven at times, particularly due to extended flashbacks and a heavy density of content to cover in one film. Also, because this is only Part 1 of the final arc trilogy, it doesn’t resolve the central conflict yet — it sets the stage.
What Happens at the End & What Comes Next
- The film ends without a definitive resolution to the showdown with Muzan Kibutsuji. Instead, we see the Demon Slayer Corps pushed to their limits inside the shifting, dangerous Infinity Castle, which itself becomes almost a living, labyrinthine weapon.
- Key characters are shown in battle or regrouping in credit or post-credit scenes, hinting at their roles and stakes in upcoming parts.
- A second film in the trilogy is already expected—fans are bracing for the next chapter, likely to bring the big confrontation and emotional climaxes. But as of now, no firm release date has been confirmed for the next part.
Why Infinity Castle Feels Special
- It carries the weight of being the beginning of the end for one of the most popular anime/manga franchises in recent years. The emotional stakes are higher, the action more intense, and the audience expectations immense.
- The production values (animation, sound design, fight choreography) are being called among the best Demon Slayer has ever done. This is not just fan service — it’s a polished cinematic experience aiming to reward long-time fans.
- The global response demonstrates how anime has become a truly international phenomenon—not just “imported content”. Audiences outside Japan are turning out in force, consuming dubbed or subtitled versions, and participating in midnight/early screenings.
Final Thoughts
While Infinity Castle: Part 1 doesn’t tie up all loose ends, it delivers powerfully as the first act of a finale. It’s electrifying, heartbreaking, visually stunning, and serves as both a love letter to fans and a warning: things are about to get much more intense.
If you haven’t watched all preceding seasons or read the manga, this might feel dense—but for those keeping up, it’s everything you could hope for going into the final battle.