Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Demon Slayer Film Breaks Records in Japan

MsqD by MsqD
5 years ago
in Featured, News

Recently, J-List’s own Peter Payne shared how movie theaters in Japan have sprung back to life after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. What’s just as impressive is how the newly released Demon Slayer film has broken records, which may be indicative of a resilient Japanese box office.

Demon Slayer Film Poster
Theatrical poster for the Demon Slayer film. Despite the pandemic, it’s succeeded in displacing Disney’s Frozen in domestic box office returns. (Source: IMDb)

As reported by Bloomberg News’ Gearoid Riley on Twitter, Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train (2020) raked in JPY 4.62 billion (USD 44.12 million) in its opening weekend, which he noted was twice that of previous record-holder Frozen (2014). Even more remarkable is how, according to Kyodo News, over 3.4 million people had seen the film over those three days alone. Whether it’s due to the overall popularity of the manga and anime, the relative lack of competition, pent-up demand, or all of the above, this is no small feat. Which isn’t even getting to the positive reviews that have begun trickling out, which are bound to spur greater box office returns.

【言及】大ヒット『鬼滅の刃』、加藤官房長官「私もテレビで観た」https://t.co/RTZaefJWQG

映画については「映画産業に大きな貢献をいただいている」と回答。『進撃の巨人』についても「全巻読んでいる」と明かした。 pic.twitter.com/IwkQEIN8qY

— ライブドアニュース (@livedoornews) October 20, 2020

The movie’s success has reached the point that it’s being brought up by Japanese politicians, such as Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato, as a sign of how normalcy is returning to the country. Such remarks aren’t that far off. (Source: Twitter/Livedoor News)

Record-breaking as those are, however, it’s also fascinating how it’s all happening in spite of the pandemic. In a time when prominent figures are urging the US Congress to fund a bailout to help keep theaters afloat, and when going to the movie house is seen as a distant memory for many across the globe, Japan’s media industries are emerging as an exception to the “norm” seen elsewhere. Indeed, even before Demon Slayer premiered, it was noticed how the shares of Toho Co., which operated almost 20% of the country’s theaters, have not only recovered 45% percent from March, but have come within 9% of their all-time record set last year alone. To say nothing of the commendable popularity of Kyoto Animation’s Violet Evergarden film, seen as the third top-grossing anime film for 2020.

Toho Moviehouse Exterior
In contrast to other movie industry giants like Cineworld, Toho has seen a resurgence both in terms of finances and moviegoing audiences. (Source: Bloomberg News)

As much as it both confounds and impresses foreign outlets, these developments reveal a silver lining to an otherwise miserable situation: that Japan’s pop culture and otakudom status are not only still alive, but are also starting to fill in the void left by Hollywood. For both creators and fans, this could not have come at a better time.

Tags: Demon SlayerJapanMovies

More Posts Like This

Fushigi No Kuni De Alice To Dive In Wonderland PV1 4
News

A Storybook Tale in Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to Dive in Wonderland

by Kasaix
1 month ago

Rise grew up listening to her grandmother read Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She finds an invitation from...

Best Anime Cosplay AnimeJapan 2025
Featured

Best Cosplay of AnimeJapan 2025

by Brett Michael Orr
4 months ago

One of the largest and most important events on the anime calendar, AnimeJapan 2025, has come and gone in a...

Me And Roboco Movie PV1 6

Me & Roboco the Movie Introduces a Robot Maid Multiverse

5 months ago
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid A Lonely Dragon Wants To Be Loved PV1 4

Family Visits in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon

5 months ago
Virgin Punk Trail Screenshot 02

Virgin Punk – Clockwork Girl Blasts into Theaters This June

5 months ago
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX PV1 5

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Engages in Clan Battles

7 months ago
Next Post
Game Of The Week Base My Girlfriend Is The President Jast Sns V2

My Girlfriend is the President is the Game of the Week

Trending Today

The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 month ago
Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

3 months ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

4 months ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 9 Featured Image
Featured

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 9 — Slippery When Wet!

2 weeks ago
Dengeki Moeoh August 2025 Cover
Anime Magazine

What’s Inside Dengeki Moeoh August 2025? Ecchi Illustrations, Posters, Art, and More!

7 days ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Seishun.Buta.Yarou.wa.Santa.Claus.no.Yume.wo.Minai Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

Seishun Buta Yarou Returns! Why You Should Not Miss ‘Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus’

by Peter Payne
July 14, 2025

Dandadan S2 Pulls No Punches (and the Fight Scenes Hit Hard, Too)

Cultural Exchange with a Game Center Girl — A Kawaii Romance

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider and Fight Shocker

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 10 — Fall Brings Chill and Friction!

Hottest Cosplay for Summer 2025 Anime Season

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.