Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Dethrones Pokémon & Dragon Ball – Here’s Why It Matters

Why This Caught My Attention

Demon Slayer’s first film in its final trilogy, Infinity Castle (La Forteresse Infinie), just posted a monster theatrical debut in the U.S.: $33 million day one and $70 million across opening weekend. That dethrones long-standing anime box office benchmarks once dominated by Pokémon and, more recently, Dragon Ball Super. As someone who lines up for anime premieres and also grinds through anime tie-in games, this is more than a feel-good headline-it’s a signal flare for where anime, and by extension anime games, are headed next. French fans, you’re up next with the theatrical release this Wednesday.

Key Takeaways

• $33M opening day/$70M weekend resets U.S. anime records and marks a best-in-years launch for Crunchyroll/Sony.
• Infinity Castle proves anime films can open like mainstream blockbusters, not just “event screenings.”
• Expect knock-on effects: bigger budgets for anime adaptations, faster Western rollouts, and more game tie-ins.
• But keep an eye on format-fans still want a proper film, not stitched TV episodes with premium ticket pricing.

Breaking Down the Record (and Who Got Dethroned)

For years, Pokémon set the early bar for anime features in the West-The First Movie was a ’90s phenomenon—and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero later pushed modern records with a strong U.S. opening weekend. Demon Slayer has now leapfrogged both with a gladiatorial combo of brand heat, theater saturation, and premium formats. The $33M first-day figure is the jaw-dropper; it’s blockbuster territory, not “niche anime hit.”

Context matters. Mugen Train opened huge during a weird theatrical window and proved anime can anchor weekends, and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 followed with massive demand. Infinity Castle takes the baton and sprints: a coordinated push, IMAX/PLF screens, dual dub/sub showtimes, and a fanbase conditioned to treat these releases like opening night for a new MCU chapter.

The Real Story: Crunchyroll and Sony’s Play

Crunchyroll (under Sony) has tuned the “anime event” machine. Limited runs with FOMO sold tickets in the past; now we’re seeing wide-release muscle with marketing that treats an anime arc like a tentpole. That’s important because budgets follow box office. If you’re wondering why this matters to gamers, remember who else lives in Sony’s house: PlayStation. Transmedia is the name of the game, and this kind of performance makes cross-pollination a no-brainer—console promos, themed cosmetics, and maybe a renewed push for flagship anime titles on PS5 storefronts.

There’s also a lesson in cadence. Demon Slayer’s prior film runs blurred lines between “movie” and “TV compilation.” Fans called that out. If Infinity Castle Part 1 feels like true cinema—fresh animation, film-grade pacing, set-piece direction—Crunchyroll wins both critically and commercially. If it’s TV episodes stitched together with an upcharge, people will notice. The opening weekend says “hype achieved,” but staying power depends on the cut.

What This Changes for Players

Anime games eat when anime hits big. CyberConnect2’s Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles gave us a stylish, arena-fighter take in 2021. A finale-scale arc like Infinity Castle practically begs for a follow-up: multi-character boss gauntlets, tag mechanics, destructible arenas, and cinematic QTEs that mimic the show’s sakuga peaks. Publishers love a sure bet—this weekend just handed them one.

Beyond a straight sequel, expect collabs. Fortnite-style crossovers, gacha banners in the usual suspects, and even platform perks tied to PSN/Crunchyroll bundles make sense. EVO and anime fighter communities could get a fresh injection if a new Demon Slayer fighter leans into rollback netcode and proper tournament features (learn from Dragon Ball FighterZ’s renaissance, not the worst habits of licensed arena brawlers).

For PC and console players, I’m watching two things: 1) Will we get next-gen updates or new-gen-first titles rather than cross-gen compromises? 2) Will publishers finally prioritize global parity—launching game content close to theatrical beats so hype doesn’t evaporate?

What to Watch If You’re Heading to Theaters (France Next)

French release lands Wednesday, and if U.S. turnout is any indicator, prime showtimes will be slammed. Practical tips: check whether your screening is subbed or dubbed before you book, expect PLF surcharges to be aggressive, and block social media if you’re spoiler-sensitive—Infinity Castle is a character gauntlet, and surprises are the currency.

If you bounced off prior Demon Slayer “compilation” releases, I’d still give this a look. Early chatter suggests this feels like a real chapter one of a finale, not a glorified recap. The opening-weekend legs will tell us how general audiences respond once the diehards have punched their tickets.

TL;DR

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle just smashed U.S. anime box office records with a $33M first day and $70M weekend, dethroning Pokémon and Dragon Ball benchmarks. It’s a win for Crunchyroll/Sony and a green light for bigger anime games and crossovers—so long as the film delivers a true cinematic arc and not just premium-priced episodes. France gets the big-screen showdown this Wednesday.