Why a Japanese Anime Movie Is Dominating Indian Screens—Even in Smaller Towns
A Japanese anime movie has taken India by storm, and the numbers are staggering. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle has achieved something no anime film has ever done before in India: complete first-day housefu status across the country, including smaller towns. From Mumbai to Guwahati, from Delhi to Indore, and even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, theatres are reporting sold-out shows, some scheduled at 4 AM and midnight to meet the surging demand.
This is not just another release. It is a landmark moment that is redefining how Indian audiences perceive Japanese anime on the big screen.
A Box Office Tsunami in India
According to advance booking reports, Infinity Castle crossed 1.35 lakh ticket sales before release, with PVR Inox contributing 90,000 tickets and Cinepolis selling 45,000. On opening day, the film sold over 1 lakh tickets nationwide, setting a new record for anime releases in India. Trade experts estimate its first weekend gross at around ₹15 crore, a number usually reserved for Hollywood blockbusters, not subtitled Japanese anime.
And crucially, the phenomenon is not confined to metros. Screens in Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Coimbatore, and Guwahati were just as packed as those in Mumbai and Bengaluru. For the first time, anime screenings in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are going houseful, a milestone no anime film has achieved before in India.
To put this in perspective:
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2022) sold 50,000 tickets on its opening day and grossed ₹1.8 crore, considered a milestone at the time.
Suzume (2023) had strong demand in metros but only limited presence in smaller towns. Houseful shows outside big cities were rare.
Infinity Castle has smashed through those limits, bringing anime to India’s heartland and drawing record-breaking occupancy everywhere it has screened.
A Global Record-Breaker
The hysteria in India mirrors the frenzy in Japan, where Infinity Castle shattered records from day one. On its opening day, it earned ¥1.64 billion (US$11.11 million) with 1.15 million admissions, the highest ever for a Japanese film.
By the third day, it had grossed ¥5.52 billion (US$37.42 million), marking the biggest opening weekend in Japanese box office history. Within eight days, the film had surpassed ¥10 billion (US$71 million), becoming the fastest film in Japan to reach that milestone, breaking the previous record set by none other than its predecessor, Mugen Train.
Globally, in just over a month, Infinity Castle has already earned $203.69 million, cementing its position as not just a Japanese hit, but a worldwide cultural juggernaut.
Critical Response: Praise and Pushback
The film has topped Japan’s Filmarks satisfaction ranking with an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 from more than 8,000 reviews. Fans praise its breathtaking animation, emotional intensity, and edge-of-the-seat battle sequences.
But not all feedback is glowing. Critics such as Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network graded it a C+, citing its repetitive structure and reliance on flashbacks as pacing issues. The Japan Times’ Matt Schley described it as faithful to the manga but criticized its extended runtime and lack of narrative closure—since this is the first installment of a planned trilogy. Zelda Lee of HardwareZone summed it up as “exciting and frustrating in equal measure,” rewarding loyal fans but possibly overwhelming new viewers.
Why Is Anime Suddenly Booming in India?
The Indian anime community has been steadily growing for years, fueled by streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Prime Video, along with fan-driven events such as Comic Con and countless cosplay gatherings. But until recently, anime films struggled to break into mainstream cinema.
Mugen Train (2020) was the first big breakthrough. Released during the pandemic, it surprised trade analysts with its strong collections despite limited screenings. That momentum carried into Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Suzume, which built a bridge between passionate fans and casual audiences curious about anime.
But Infinity Castle has taken things to the next level for three reasons:
The Power of the Franchise
Demon Slayer is not just an anime, it’s a global phenomenon. Its manga has sold over 150 million copies, its TV series has trended worldwide, and its characters like Tanjiro and Nezuko are now household names among anime fans.
Event-Style Screenings
Theatres in India are treating this release like a Marvel film. With midnight and early-morning shows, fans are experiencing anime with the same frenzy once reserved for superhero blockbusters.
Nationwide Reach Beyond Metros
Unlike earlier anime releases that catered mainly to big cities, Infinity Castle is seeing houseful shows in smaller towns all over India—a first for anime. This is what transforms it from a fan-driven hit into a mainstream cultural wave.
The New Era of Anime in India
For anime lovers in India, this moment feels like a dream realized. “I never thought I’d watch Demon Slayer on the big screen in my own town, let alone in a packed 4 AM show,” said a fan in Pune. Similar sentiments are pouring in from smaller cities where international films rarely achieve such turnout.
Trade analysts believe the success of Infinity Castle will open the doors for more Japanese films in India, potentially giving Hollywood stiff competition. If the trend continues, anime could carve out a permanent space in the Indian box office calendar.
Records Broken at a Glance
-First anime film to achieve complete first-day houseful status across India—including smaller towns
-Highest pre-sales ever for an anime film in India (1.35 lakh tickets)
-Opening day sales: Over 1 lakh tickets nationwide
-Opening weekend gross: ₹15 crore (record for anime in India)
-Fastest Japanese film to cross ¥10 billion ($71 million) in Japan
-Global earnings: $203.69 million in 34 days
Final Word
Anime in India has gone from niche to mainstream, and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is leading the charge. What was once seen as “cartoons for kids” is now commanding the same attention and box office pull as Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
With packed theatres from metro multiplexes to single screens in smaller towns, the message is clear: anime has finally arrived in India and it’s here to stay.
