Demon Slayer Dominates Japan’s 2025 Box Office as Anime Drives a Historic Year for Domestic Film
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1 finishes 2025 as Japan’s top-grossing domestic film at an estimated ¥390–400 billion (approximately $2.6–2.7 billion).
Anime accounts for half of the annual Top 10, with three animated features clearing ¥100 billion (about $670 million).
The live-action hit Kokuho (aka National Treasure) rewrites Japanese box office history as the highest-grossing domestic live-action film ever.
Japan’s 2025 domestic box office rankings are in, and the numbers confirm a year dominated by anime, led by an unprecedented run from Demon Slayer. Figures released by Bunka Tsushinsha cover releases from winter 2024 through winter 2025, with some totals still estimated as films continue their theatrical runs.
Anime Performance Leads the Conversation From the Start
Taking the No. 1 spot for the year is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1, which closed out 2025 with an estimated ¥390–400 billion in domestic box office revenue (approximately $2.6–2.7 billion).
Released on July 18, the film shattered opening records immediately. Over its first three days, it earned ¥55.24 billion (about $368 million), surpassing the opening performance of 2020’s Mugen Train. Including the July 21 holiday, its four-day total reached approximately ¥73 billion (about $487 million).
The film debuted at No. 1 and held the top position for nine consecutive weeks. It remained in the Top 3 for 15 weeks and, after briefly slipping out of the Top 10, re-entered the rankings during the Christmas period. As of its 24th week in release, it was still charting in the Top 10 during the final week of 2025.
Internationally, Infinity Castle Part 1 also made history, becoming the first Japanese production to surpass ¥1 trillion worldwide (approximately $6.7 billion). Domestically, it currently ranks as the second highest-grossing film in Japanese history, with attention now focused on whether it can overtake Mugen Train’s ¥407.5 billion record (about $2.72 billion), depending on how much runway remains as screening counts decline.
Live-Action Breakout Rewrites the Record Books
Finishing second for the year is Kokuho (aka National Treasure), a rare live-action phenomenon in a year otherwise ruled by animation. The film reached an estimated ¥190 billion (approximately $1.27 billion), ultimately breaking the long-standing record for the highest-grossing domestic live-action film in Japan.
After opening to ¥3.46 billion (about $23 million) over its first three days and debuting at No. 3, word of mouth quickly changed its trajectory. In its second weekend, revenue climbed to approximately ¥4.51 billion (about $30 million), pushing the film to No. 2. By its third weekend, it claimed the No. 1 spot with around ¥5.15 billion (about $34 million).
The momentum continued week after week, with steadily rising grosses through its fifth weekend. Even after relinquishing the top position to Demon Slayer, National Treasure maintained strong legs, staying in the Top 10 through late October, briefly dipping out, then returning again. By the final week of 2025, Kokuho remained firmly inside the Top 10, officially surpassing Bayside Shakedown 2 as the top live-action performer in Japanese box office history.
Conan, Chainsaw Man, and a Top 10 Filled With Anime
Third place went to Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback, which earned ¥147 billion (approximately $980 million). Its opening three days alone delivered ¥34.39 billion (about $229 million), landing it at No. 1 out of the gate. The result marks the third consecutive year the Detective Conan film series has crossed ¥100 billion (about $670 million), underscoring the franchise’s extraordinary consistency.
In total, five anime films appear in the 2025 Top 10. Among them, the top three animated titles all exceeded ¥100 billion (estimated), highlighting anime’s continued dominance in Japan’s theatrical market.
Just outside the top tier, Chainsaw Man – Reze Arc reached an estimated ¥100 billion or more (about $670 million), while the live-action anime adaptation Cells at Work! ranked fifth with ¥63.5 billion (approximately $423 million). Notably, Cells at Work! became Warner Bros. Japan’s highest-grossing domestic live-action release to date.
A Strong Year Ends With Industry Questions Ahead
Beyond anime and National Treasure, several live-action titles also performed strongly, including TOKYO MER: Nankai Mission and Exit 8, both surpassing ¥50 billion (around $340 million). At the same time, Toho distributed nine of the Top 10 titles, reinforcing its overwhelming presence in the domestic market.
That dominance makes Warner Bros. Japan’s decision to exit domestic theatrical distribution at the end of 2025 particularly noteworthy. Despite successes like Cells at Work! and the hit Bomb, which earned over ¥25 billion (about $167 million), the company’s departure raises questions about competition and diversity in Japan’s theatrical landscape moving forward.
With record-setting anime hits, a once-in-a-generation live-action success, and packed theaters throughout the year, 2025 will be remembered as one of the most commercially vibrant years in modern Japanese film history.
2025 Japan Domestic Box Office Top 10
(Some totals estimated; USD figures approximate)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1 – ¥390–400B (approx. $2.6–2.7B)
Kokuho, aka National Treasure – ¥190B (approx. $1.27B)
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback – ¥147B (approx. $980M)
Chainsaw Man – Reze Arc – ¥100B+ (approx. $670M+)
Cells at Work! – ¥63.5B (approx. $423M)
TOKYO MER: Nankai Mission – ¥52.7B (approx. $351M)
Exit 8 – ¥51B (approx. $340M)
Doraemon: Nobita’s Picture World Story – ¥46B (approx. $307M)
Grand Maison Paris – ¥42B (approx. $280M)
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- – ¥35.9B (approx. $239M)