Japan’s cinema industry is witnessing a historic run as Infinity Castle: Part 1 – Akaza Returns dominates the box office with unprecedented speed and scale. Released on July 18, the film shattered multiple records, posting Japan’s highest-ever opening day at ¥1.64 billion, a record single-day gross of ¥2.04 billion, and an unmatched three-day weekend of ¥5.52 billion from 3.84 million admissions.
Within just eight days, the film crossed the ¥10 billion milestone—beating the pace set by the previous record-holder Mugen Train, which took 10 days. By day 17, it had grossed ¥17.64 billion (~$120 million), securing a place in Japan’s top 10 all-time highest-grossing films. Three weeks in, its total surged to $130.8 million (~¥19.4 billion), making it the country’s 9th biggest film ever.
Industry analysts predict Infinity Castle could challenge Mugen Train’s franchise record of over $506 millionworldwide, given its momentum and strong cultural buzz.
A Franchise Finale on the Big Screen
The film is the first installment in a three-part theatrical trilogy that will conclude the beloved manga, replacing the usual TV anime season with a cinematic send-off. Fans have embraced the move, turning screenings into cultural events.
Sony’s Strategic Push in Anime
Backed by Sony, which owns Crunchyroll, the success is part of a long-term anime strategy the company compares to the early PlayStation era—a period of aggressive global expansion. Sony sees Infinity Castle not just as a domestic triumph, but as a cornerstone of anime’s growing worldwide influence.
Quick Box Office Snapshot
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Opening Day | ¥1.64B – record |
| First Weekend | ¥5.52B – record |
| Days to ¥10B | 8 – fastest ever |
| 17-Day Gross | ¥17.64B – top 10 all-time |
| Three-Week Total | ¥19.4B – 9th highest overall |
With its box office pace showing no signs of slowing, Infinity Castle is not only rewriting records but also redefining the global potential of anime films.
