The Indian box office is witnessing an unprecedented phenomenon: the mainstream arrival of anime, with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle leading the charge. This film's success signifies a shift in the entertainment landscape, demonstrating that anime, once a niche interest, has now captured the hearts of a broad audience, especially Gen Z.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which was released in India on September 12, 2025, has shattered records and redefined expectations for anime films in the country. The film has grossed over ₹65 crore in box-office collections in the country. Even before its release, the film's advance bookings were so overwhelming that theaters scheduled 5 AM shows across the country, a phenomenon typically reserved for major Bollywood or South Indian blockbusters.

The film has achieved the highest opening weekend for any anime or animated film in India, surpassing the lifetime collections of all previous anime films in just one day. It also stands as the second-highest weekend for any international film in India in 2025. The film's success can be attributed to several factors:

• Growing Fandom: Anime's popularity in India has been steadily increasing, fueled by affordable internet access, a demand for unique stories, and the accessibility provided by OTT platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll.
• Wide Release: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle received the widest release ever for an anime film in India, screening in close to 600 cities, including almost 480 cities that had never previously screened an anime movie.
• Language Localization: The film was made available in multiple languages, including Japanese, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English, broadening its appeal to both dedicated anime fans and mainstream audiences.

The distribution strategy for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle involved releasing the film in smaller cinemas and single screens across tier-2 and tier-3 cities, many of which do not traditionally show anime or animation. This move paid off, with these cinemas reporting strong occupancy levels and enthusiastic audience response.

The success of Demon Slayer highlights the potential for anime to thrive in the Indian market. The film's performance has demonstrated to distributors and exhibitors that anime can draw crowds comparable to mainstream blockbusters. This could lead to more anime films receiving wider releases in India, giving fans greater access to the content they love and potentially opening the door for other anime franchises to find similar success.

The Demon Slayer phenomenon extends beyond the box office, with multiplexes adapting their programming to meet the demand, including round-the-clock shows and early morning screenings. This unprecedented level of enthusiasm underscores anime's growing cultural significance in India.