The highly anticipated film, Akaza Returns, has shattered box office records, selling an astounding 89 million tickets globally, with 26 million of those tickets sold in Japan alone. This cinematic triumph marks a significant milestone in the world of Japanese cinema.
ยฉKoyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
The movie, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba โ The Movie: Infinity Castle โ Part 1: Akaza Returns, the inaugural installment in the highly anticipated Infinity Castle trilogy, has generated an impressive 106,370,568,950 yen (approximately USD 685 million) in global revenue as of November 16. This remarkable achievement positions it as the first Japanese film to surpass the 100 billion yen mark worldwide.
In Japan, the film has sold 26,045,587 tickets, amassing 37,927,589,200 yen (approximately USD 244 million) over 122 days. This extraordinary performance underscores the film’s immense popularity and cultural impact.
The film’s international success continued with its release in China on Friday, where it earned 373 million RMB (approximately USD 52.53 million) in its first three days. Notably, the film’s IMAX screenings in China generated USD 12.3 million, setting a new record for the highest-earning and selling IMAX opening for a Japanese film in the country. Only Ne Zha 2, an animated film, has achieved a higher IMAX opening in China.
The film’s Japanese premiere took place on July 18. By September 15, it had sold 23,042,671 tickets, accumulating 33,056,606,000 yen (approximately USD 224 million). This impressive run secured its place as the second highest-earning film of all time at the Japanese box office, surpassing the iconic Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, which was released in 2001.
Currently, Akaza Returns stands as the highest-earning anime film of all time worldwide and the highest-earning Japanese film globally. It has also claimed the title of the highest-grossing comic book film of the year worldwide.
The previous record holder in Japan, Demon Slayer โ Kimetsu no Yaiba โ The Movie: Mugen Train, released in October 2020, remains the highest-earning film in the country with a total take of 40.75 billion yen (approximately USD 277 million).
The anime trilogy is directed by Haruo Sotozaki at ufotable, with the studio also responsible for the screenplays. The film features two powerful musical performances: “Taiyล ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”) by Aimer and “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”) by LiSA.
News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com
