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Before Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castleenters Western theaters, the film has already been dethroned one of the best anime films of the mid-2010s. Your Name, by Makoto Shinkai, has lost its spot as Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time to the latest Demon Slayer film, thus setting the stage for what's to come once the film arrives in theaters this September.

When Your Name came out in 2016, the feature generated ¥25.17 billion, making it the second-largest gross for a domestic film in the country, behind Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away. But that changed when Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train came out...

Lost Twins 2 opens with a quiet sense of wonder, immediately placing players into a painterly world with its twin protagonists, Abi and Ben. After the pair is pulled through a mysterious portal in their home, they find themselves in a series of magical landscapes.

Their goal is simple: navigate the environment and reunite at the exit portal of each stage. Guiding them from a distance is an enigmatic, phoenix-like bird, a creature based on the Fenghuang from Chinese mythology. It waits patiently at every exit, though its true purpose remains unclear. Is it helping the twins find their way home, or does it have another plan?

This narrative ambiguity sets a gentle, inquisitive tone. The game’s visual presentation strongly evokes the works of Studio Ghibli, calling to mind the art direction of games like Ni no Kuni. The hand-painted quality creates a soft, inviting atmosphere for a thoughtful puzzle adventure,...

HBO Max Adds Your Name, Perfect Blue, Shin Godzilla & More Anime Films To Its Library This September (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

HBO Max is making this year exciting for anime fans. The streaming platform is adding a big batch of Japanese films through a partnership with Gkids, bringing both well-known hits and hidden gems to its library. The deal builds on HBO Max’s existing collaboration with Gkids, the distributor behind titles like Belle, Inu-Oh, and Mirai, along with live-action hits such as Shin Godzilla and Studio Ghibli favorites like Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron.

Rare and Underrated Japanese Films Join HBO Max

The lineup will feature three movies from Makoto Shinkai, including the globally popular Your Name, along with Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Place Promised in Our Early Days, per Collider.

‘Your Name’ is coming to HBO Max on September 1st! pic.twitter.

In its fifth weekend of August 15-17, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle earned 1.875 billion yen (12.67 million Usd) on 1,218,000 admissions — only 2.23% down from the previous weekend — and kept its first place position at the Japanese box office now for five straight weekends, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha . The film's cumulative total gross reached 25,782,656,600 yen (174.27 million Usd) on 18,272,941 admissions in 31 days since its release on July 18, according to the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise's official X (formerly Twitter) . The five-week gross of Infinity Castle is 110.3% of the franchise's previous film in 2020, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train , which earned 23.3 billion yen (157.47 million Usd) by the end of its fifth weekend. Infinity Castle has now become the fourth top-grossing film of all-time in Japan , overtaking Frozen (25.5 billion yen / 2014) and Makoto Shinkai's Your Name. (25.17 billion yen / 2017). The movies currently ranked higher than Infinity Castle are Mugen Train (40.75 billion yen...

In 2016, Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name went international and has since become one of Japan’s highest-grossing films of all time. Now, a new movie has finally taken its spot at the box office.

Shinkai’s Your Name was released in Japan in August 2016 and tells the story of Taki and Mitsuha, two teenagers who begin mysteriously swapping bodies. However, the supernatural and at first somewhat comedic hijinks reveal a darker tone, as Mitsuha, living in the small town of Itomori, actually died three years prior when a comet destroyed the town. The film helped cement Shinkai as a major directorial force, with some even calling him the new Miyazaki.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office Day 31 (Japan) Update! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has officially completed a month in Japanese theatres! It has maintained an excellent hold and continues to be the #1 choice of the audience. Haruo Sotozaki’s directorial has knocked Frozen to become the 4th highest-grossing film of all time at the domestic box office. Scroll below for the latest box office update.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office Collection Day 31

It’s been another hit weekend for the Ufotable production. According to Luiz Fernando, Akaza’s Return grossed an estimated $12.3 million during its fifth weekend. It raked in around $3.7 million on day 31, surging its domestic total to $175.5 million (¥25.86 billion).

Infinity Castle has registered 18.6 million admissions so far in Japan. In the next few days, it will beat Your Name (19.6 million) to become the 6th most-watched movie in the domestic market.

Trending Superman North America...

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle continues its box office reign over the last week, jumping up two spots from sixth place in the all-time Japan box office over Japan’s Obon holiday to become the country's fourth highest-grossing film of all time. As of August 17, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle has brought in 25.78 billion yen (US$174.32 million) in 31 days on 18.27 million ticket sales, according to the series' official accounts . Infinity Castle has now taken the fourth-place spot on the Japan box office all-time chart , previously held by Disney's Frozen, and pushed Your Name out of the top five for the first time since the Makoto Shinkai-directed film was released in 2016. It now sits below Titanic , released in 1997, which made 27.7 billion yen. Infinity Castle is also now the third-highest-grossing anime film of all time in Japan, following Mugen Train in first place and Spirited Away in second place,...

The latest installment in the Demon Slayer franchise has climbed to fourth place on Japan’s all-time box office chart, surpassing Makoto Shinkai’s critically acclaimed 2016 film, your name.

It was announced on Aug 18, 2025, that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: The Return of Akaza had earned a cumulative total of 25.78 billion yen (approx. 175.4 million Usd) in its first 31 days of release. The film, which opened on July 18, 2025, sold 18,272,941 tickets in that period.

The achievement pushed the film past the 25.5 billion yen lifetime gross of Disney’s Frozen (2014) and the 25.03 billion yen total of your name. to secure the No. 4 spot in Japanese box office history.

In comparison, Mugen Train had earned 23.34 billion yen from 17.5 million admissions in its first 31 days since release in 2020. This is approximately 2.4 billion yen less than what the new film grossed. On the other hand, your name. movie took...

It's a pretty good year to be an anime fan. Aside from the rise in popularity of the Japanese storytelling art across all streaming platforms, HBO Max announced this week that an important new addition is coming to its library. Starting this September, the streamer will be home to a slate of Japanese masterpieces distributed by Gkids. The titles include high-profile movies like Your Name, underrated gems like Millennium Actress, and even forgotten masterpieces like Angel's Egg. The movies will be released in 2025 and 2026 on the platform.

The addition is part of a deal that expands the partnership of HBO Max and Gkids Films, the distribution company that has brought overseas titles that include Belle, Inu-Oh, and Mirai, as well as live-action titles like Shin Godzilla and some of Studio Ghibli's highest-rated movies such as Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron.

In an official statement, the EVP...

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office Day 30 (Japan) Update ( Photo Credit – Facebook; Netflix )

The Japanese anime movie Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has been in theaters for a month. It has also earned a remarkable feat at the box office in Japan, entering the all-time top 5 grossers. The film has surpassed the lifetime of Your Name in Japan and Titanic’s admissions to achieve a great milestone. Keep scrolling for the deets.

It is an animated dark fantasy action film directed by Haruo Sotozaki. Last month, the anime movie debuted with strong collections, reportedly marking the highest opening day gross in Japanese box office history. The film has the potential to beat Demon Slayer: Mugen Train’s collection at the box office. This is the climactic film featuring great action and animation.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s box office collection in Japan on day 30

Based on Luiz Fernando’s report, Demon...

Alright, Studio Ghibli fans, we are here with the list you have been waiting for: the top 10 best Studio Ghibli main characters of all time. When Studio Ghibli creates a main character, they don’t just give them a name and a plot to follow; they breathe a soul into them. These aren’t just anime heroes; these are individuals you could imagine having tea with, arguing with, or following into battle.

Some are bold and fearless, some are quiet and stubborn, and a few are, well, giant fuzzy forest spirits. But they all have one thing in common: they stay with you long after the movie ends. So let’s skip the slow build-up and jump right into the ultimate list of Ghibli’s greatest leads, the characters who can completely make you laugh, cry, and sometimes even make you question your life’s choices.

1. Nausicaä From Nausicaä of...

No one can write a song as extreme as Car Bomb. That’s because no other band can sound like them. In case there was a need to put that beyond a shadow of a doubt, their brand new EP, Tiles Whisper Dreams , is likely the most intense 12 minutes of music you’ll hear all year. I had a conversation with guitarist Greg Kubacki about the new EP and learning about the artistic process via watching Akira . The new EP, Tiles Whisper Dreams , is finally out. How are you feeling? How was that recording process? Tell me all about it. Greg Kubacki : It was long. So we started writing like in 2019, after Mordial was out. We just kept writing and writing and writing, and we really wanted to make the best songs possible. Our intention was to put out a full-length. But some of the songs are just quite not there yet.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, the latest feature film in the Demon Slayer anime franchise, continues to set box office records in Japan.

As of August 11 (a national holiday), the film has earned a total of $148.6m (¥22bn) on 15.7 million admissions since its release July 18, and is now Japan’s 6th-highest-grossing film of all time, reports box office tracker Kogyo Tsushin.

Over its fourth weekend in cinemas, August 8-10, Infinity Castle earned $12.8m (¥1.9bn) on 1.3 million admissions, maintaining its #1 box office spot. In second and third place for the same weekend were new entry Jurassic World Rebirth with...

The hype surrounding Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is only going to intensify, as the movie has surpassed One Piece Film Red to become the 6th highest-grossing movie of all time, according to Kogyotsushin.com. It hasn’t even been a month, and the movie has already earned around ¥ 22 billion, and the sales figures are only going to increase from here on.

The global release will push the numbers even more, surpassing expectations and standards. Demon Slayer might not have any competition right now as far as impact goes, and its win against One Piece proves that. However, when it comes to influence and the longevity of the impact, can Demon Slayer truly beat One Piece?

One Piece Film Red vs. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Sales Comparison

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was released in Japan on July 18, 2025. Within the first few weeks, the movie entered the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time in Japan.

One Piece Film: Red, the highest-grossing film in the One Piece franchise to date, has been knocked from its position as the sixth highest-grossing film in Japanese box office history by the newly released Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle Arc Part 1- Akaza’s Return. The Demon Slayer film achieved the milestone less than a month after its release, marking another major box office triumph for the series.

Per Oricon, the latest theatrical installment in the Demon Slayer franchise has drawn 15,698,202 admissions and earned a staggering 22,072,191,500 yen (approximately US$150.4 million) in just 25 days since the movie's release in Japan on July 18. This impressive achievement has helped the movie officially surpass the 20.34 billion yen (US$138.6 million) total earned by One Piece Film: Red, ending the latter’s three-year reign at No. 6 on the all-time Japanese box office chart.

One Piece Film: Red Gets Trumped at the Box...

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office Day 22 Japan Update!(Photo Credit –Facebook/Netflix/Hulu)

The craze for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 – Akaza Returns is unimaginable in Japan. Released on July 18, 2025, Haruo Sotozaki’s dark animated fantasy action film is still the #1 choice of the audience. It has now emerged as the 7th highest-grossing film at the domestic box office. Scroll below for a detailed day 22 report!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle at the Japan Box Office

As per the latest estimates, Infinity Castle has added $4.2 million to its box office collection on day 22. It witnessed only a 38.2% drop from last Saturday, which is impressive. Akaza Returns continues to dominate the Japan box office, giving Jurassic World Rebirth, Kokuho and other releases a run for their money.

The cumulative total of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle at the Japanese box office stands around ¥20.31 billion ($137.9 million) after 22 days.

Popular Shonen anime like Sakamoto Days and Naruto might draw massive watch time on Netflix, but Studio Ghibli’s timeless movies have quietly stolen the spotlight yet again. According to a Netflix report, Ghibli classics like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle have garnered 6 million viewing hours each, which is a staggering number for any film. On the other hand, Sakamoto Days season 1 has received 24 million view hours while Naruto has attracted 45 million view hours across all seasons.

It is visible that Hayao Miyazaki’s magic continues to capture the hearts of people decades after his movies have been released. The enchanting storytelling unique to Ghibli has stolen the hearts of Netflix households, even amidst a massive anime boom. Netflix is streaming Ghibli movies in most countries outside of the United States and Japan.

Ghibli Outshines Competitors Like Naruto or Sakamoto Days

Hayao Miyazaki might have released his latest title...

In 2023, prominent animation director Takeshi Honda collaborated with Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki on the latter's coming-of-age fantasy epic, The Boy and the Heron. Recently, Honda returned to Ghibli to create an animated short for Marushin -- a company that has been partnered with Studio Ghibli for over 30 years.

Initially founded in 1966, Marushin is a popular manufacturer of high-quality towels in Japan. The company became a licensing partner with Studio Ghibli in 1994, thus allowing Marushin to release collaborative products bearing motifs and themes from Ghibli's works. As detailed on Marushin's official site, Studio Ghibli recently helped its 30-year-old affiliate create its first-ever TV commercial. The short features a small white dog happily chasing after various objects, including Porco Rosso's red seaplane and the little car driven by Sousuke's mother in Ponyo. By the end of the commercial, the dog is sitting with a bright yellow towel at its feet. Cbr...

Hello anime fans, you might want to sit down for the new box office record (August 8) of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, because it isn’t just shattering records in Japan, it’s smashing them to tiny little bits and throwing them off the Infinity Castle balcony. Let us look at the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Japan Box Office Report (August 8) below.

But before that, it’s almost three weeks now since Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza’s Return hit Japanese theaters on July 18, 2025, and the figures we’re witnessing are flat-out jaw-dropping. This isn’t just another anime movie release; this is a full-blown cultural phenomenon with ticket lines wrapping around city blocks and box office staff working overtime.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Total Box Office Performance So Far

According to official figures, Infinity Castle has been viewed by 12,558,582 Japanese viewers and has garnered ¥17,639,557,600 (approximately $119.5M) in 17 days,...

The new Demon Slayer movie, Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza Returns, is totally slaying the Japanese box office, and the numbers are just crazy. So, in only 17 days of release, Infinity Castle has made a crazy ¥17.63 billion.

Not only did it push Bayside Shakedown 2 out of Japan’s Top 10 all-time box office, but it’s actually just a hair away from surpassing Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle, too. But here’s the kicker: Infinity Castle is completely ahead of Mugen Train by nearly ¥2 billion by 17 days of data! Insane, right? It’s faster, stronger, and way more terrifying.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Total Box Office Performance So Far

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. On Day 1, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle thundered in with ¥1.64 billion ($11.2M), the largest opening day Ever in Japan. Three days in, it was raking it in at ¥5.52 billion. And now? With 17 days under its belt,...

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office (Japan): Hits Yet Another Milestone(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has been earning winning numbers since its release, achieving new milestones regularly. By the end of its third weekend, the anime movie had cracked Japan’s all-time top 10 grossers, earning $120 million at the box office. It is now on track to climb higher on the list. Keep scrolling for the deets.

It has also broken the record of hitting the fastest ¥10 billion at the Japanese box office. This movie is gearing up for release in September in other parts of the world, including India. The film will soon beat Howl’s Moving Castle’s box office collection in Japan and a few more renowned films to climb up the charts.

How much has the Infinity Castle earned so far at the box office?

According to Kogyo Tsushinsha via Crunchyroll News,...

In 2020, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train made history, as it became the highest-grossing film at the Japanese box office -- a record it still holds today. Now, in 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle is looking to be following in its predecessor's footsteps -- but it has several anime movies to beat first, even as it enters the top 10 biggest box office successes of all time in its home country.

The newest Demon Slayer movie has become one of the most successful Japanese films of all time, and is now working to surpass the rest of the top 10. The list of the ten highest-grossing films in Japan is still topped by Mugen Train, but that doesn't mean that every member of the top 10 is an anime, or even a Japanese production, although several notable entries are, per Japanese news site Oricon.

The first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy had entered the top 10 highest-earning films of all time in Japan.

In its first 17 days the movie, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Akaza‘s Return, sold 12,558,582 tickets to earn a cumulative total of 17,639,557,600 yen (about US$119.3 million). In doing so, it surpassed the 2003 film Bayside Shakedown 2 to claim the #10 spot.

The movie had previously set a new record as the fastest film in Japan to earn 10 billion yen, accomplishing the feat within eight days of its release. It broke the record held by the franchise’s 2020 film, Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which is currently the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan.

The Infinity Castle movie also broke several opening records set by Mugen Train. It had claimed Japan’s best opening-day box office on July 18 with 1,155,637 tickets sold...

Daveigh Chase is most popularly known for her iconic horror role in the 2002 film, The Ring, where she played the terrifying Samara Morgan. For her role in the film, she won the Best Villain award at the 2003 MTV Awards, beating out veterans like Mike Myers, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Despite her early fame in Hollywood, Chase couldn’t stay long enough in the industry. She last acted in or voiced a role in films, TV, or video games in the year 2016. Following the film American Romance, her career appeared to have come to a pause. At this point, fans can only guess that the actress has possibly retired from Hollywood.

Over the last decade, Chase has been largely away from the public eye. She doesn’t have any social media presence as of now. Daveigh Chase’s Instagram feed was last updated in November 2017. Her feed was...

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Box Office Day 17 (Japan) Update! (Photo Credit – Instagram/Prime Video)

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle refuses to slow down and continues its record-breaking spree in Japan. In only 17 days, it has entered the top 10 highest-grossing films at the domestic box office. It is now closer than ever to stealing the #1 spot from The Mugen Train. Scroll below for a detailed analysis!

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Japan Box Office Day 17

As per Luiz Fernando, Infinity Castle accumulated $17.4 million in its third weekend. It added another $6.8 million to the kitty, maintaining a rock-solid hold on day 17. The overall collection in Japan comes to ¥17.84 billion ($119.6 million).

Haruo Sotozaki’s directorial has registered 12.8 admissions since its big release on July 18, 2025. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is now the 12th most-watched film in Japan, leaving behind Godzilla vs. King Kong and Bayside Shakedown 2, as each registered 12.6 million admissions.

Trending Liam Neeson At The...

Top 10 Highest-Grossing Films At Japan Box Office (Photo Credit – Instagram/Netflix)

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is on track to beat with The Mugen Train, the #1 film in Japan. Haruo Sotozaki’s directorial is currently the 12th highest grosser at the domestic box office. How much does it need to enter the top 10 highest-grossing films? Scroll below for a detailed analysis!

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle at the Japan Box Office

Despite multiple competitors like Kokuho and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Infinity Castle is still the #1 audience choice. In 16 days, it has accumulated ¥16.81 billion ($112.8 million). In a single day, it crossed Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram (¥15.8 billion), Avatar (¥15.9 billion), and The First Slam Dunk (¥16.48 billion) to become the #12 grosser in the domestic market.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will soon enter the top 10 highest-grossing films in Japan

Infinity Castle needs only ¥540 million in its kitty to beat Bayside Shakedown 2 (¥17.35 billion) and...

Okay, let’s be honest: when people talk about Studio Ghibli, names like Chihiro, Totoro, Howl, and Kiki are thrown around with starry-eyed admiration. And yeah, they’re awesome and all, But, Ghibli’s secret strength? The side characters. The background legends. The supporting weirdos who may even receive a couple of minutes on screen, and yet become instantly iconic.

You know the ones we are talking about. The cranky old man with too many arms, the sassy fireball in your fireplace, the giant fluffy cat-bus hybrid that shows up and changes your life forever. Ghibli doesn’t make ‘minor characters’, Ghibli makes ‘side characters who’ll haunt your heart for all of eternity.’ So today, we’re throwing the spotlight where it belongs: here are 10 Studio Ghibli side characters who stole our hearts in the best possible way.

10. Kamaji from Spirited Away: The Boiler Room Grandpa We All Secretly...

Alright, anime fans, we’ve got some bittersweet news. The irreplaceable Tsunehiko Kamijo, the voice of some of the most iconic Studio Ghibli side characters and Japan’s stage and screen veteran, has died at the age of 85. His agency, KeiSeven Nakamuraya, announced on August 1 that Kamijo passed away on July 22 due to senility in a hospital near his hometown in Nagano Prefecture.

And honestly? This one hurts. Kamijo wasn’t just some voice actor; he was a vibe. A powerhouse actor with a career that spanned circles around several generations. So let’s take a moment to celebrate the absolute legend and everything he gave us.

Studio Ghibli Greatness: Tsunehiko Kamijo’s Most Iconic Anime Voice Roles

According to the official talent profile, born on March 7, 1940, in the serene corners of Nagano Prefecture, Kamijo started his singing career all the way back in June 1962. And he didn’t simply...

The official website for Digimon Beatbreak , the upcoming new TV series from the Digimon anime franchise, released a main trailer and visual today. The site also announced that the anime is set to premiere in Japan on October 5, 2025 . Digimon Beatbreak Main Trailer Main visual with the tagline: "Glitch The Future" Related: Miyu Irino, Megumi Han Voice Lead Roles in Digimon Beatbreak Anime In addition to the previously-announced cast of Miyu Irino (Haku in Spirited Away ) as the human protagonist, Tomoro Tenma, and Megumi Han (Gon Freecss in Hunter × Hunter ) as Tomoro's partner digimon, Gekkomon, six new voice cast members, who voice the members of Golden Dawn and their partner digimons, were also revealed Tomoro Tenma voiced by Miyu Irino Gekkomon voiced by Megumi Han Rena Sakuya voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa (Amate Yuzuriha in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX ) Pristimon voiced by Mustumi Tamura (Kai in Teogonia ) Makoto Kuonji voiced...

Hayao Miyazaki’s movies have always been in a league of their own. Ghibli movies are seldom compared to any other creations purely due to how unique and visually immersive they are. However, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle might be the competition that Ghibli movies never expected to receive.

Timeless pieces like Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron have upheld the golden standard of anime movies. However, the anime movie industry has been seeing a phenomenal shift ever since Demon Slayer: Mugen Train debuted, and the wave is only expanding with the recent Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Brings a New Standard to Anime Movies

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train shocked the anime world by grossing over $500 million worldwide. It broke plenty of box office records and even became the highest-grossing movie in Japan, surpassing Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. This was the first time that...

This year’s wide-open Oscar race for Best Animated Feature is about to get a new contender. After setting box-office records in Japan and making a huge splash at Comic-Con over the weekend, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is preparing for its U.S. debut — and a potential run at the Academy Awards.

The film, the first installment of a theatrical trilogy that will conclude the story of the popular anime series, opened in Japan on July 18 and grossed about $50 million in its first weekend. It should pass $100 million by the end of next weekend.

Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by the anime house Ufotable, the film finds the hero Tanjiro Kamado – a boy who joins the Demon Slayer Corps after his family is killed and his sister is turned into a demon – and his fellow slayers stranded in the titular castle, which is the fortress of demons,...

Spirited Away might have won Hayao Miyazaki his first Oscar, but when it comes to viewers, another movie has stolen their hearts. The movie in question is Howl’s Moving Castle, which presents classic fairytale tropes, but, in true Miyazaki style, it has been sprinkled with anti-war sentiments.

Howl’s Moving Castle has a lot to offer in terms of artworks, dynamic visuals, and stunning backgrounds. The music fits in perfectly with each scene. Joe Hisashi blends fantasy and whimsy with the perfect amount of drama for this movie. Yet, these aren’t the only reasons why Spirited Away falls behind Howl’s Moving Castle.

Hayao Miyazaki Created Relatable Characters in Howl’s Moving Castle Sophie and Howl are relatable protagonists in Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle | Credits: Ghibli

Sophie and Howl are the two protagonists of Howl’s Moving Castle, and to an older audience, they just seem more relatable than Chihiro.

Over three decades ago, one of the most poignant animated films of all time, produced by Studio Ghibli, premiered to widespread acclaim. Over the years, it has been released in theaters once more, as well as in various media formats, including VHS and DVD. That production is Grave of the Fireflies, which, based on new reports, is set to return to theaters soon to mark a tragic milestone. The pic debuted on April 16, 1988, to modest commercial success, while at the same time was hugely favored by critics, who praised its sentimental tone.

According to Anime News Network, Grave of the Fireflies will be rereleased in Japanese theaters on August 10 and 11, as announced by the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library. Tickets are priced at 510 yen (approximately US$3.50) for adults and 250 yen (approximately US$1.70) for seniors aged 65 and older. However, admission is free for those under 25. Furthermore, on each screening day,...

Studio Ghibli is giving Spirited Away fans one more chance to snag one of its most sought-after jewelry collections. After selling out four years ago, the Spirited Away collectible earrings based on the comical Hopping Lantern are available for purchase once again.

Donguri Sora, the official online store of Studio Ghibli, has restocked one of its most popular items based on the 2001 animated classic. The earring accessories are inspired by the Hopping Lantern, one of the many magical creatures featured in Spirited Away. In addition to the anime jewelry, Studio Ghibli fans can also decorate their homes with a real-life functional lamp modeled after the Hopping Lantern.

Spirited Away’s Hopping Lantern Earrings & Interior Lamp Are Available on the Studio Ghibli Online Store

The Spirited Away Lantern Accessories Earrings are currently available on Donguri Sora for 3,300 yen, including tax, equivalent to approximately $22.40 in the U.S. As described on the product page,...

Video game releases never stop, and that’s the fun part. We always have something new to experience, no matter what. However, with so many releases almost every single day, we sometimes get overwhelmed.

To make life easier for you, we’ve tallied down all the major releases coming in the 30th week of 2025. From blockbuster IPs to eye-catching indies, this article has them all to keep you up-to-date. Whether you buy them to play or not is completely down to you. So let’s get right into it, shall we?

1. The King is Watching – Steam PC – July 21, 2025 – Price Tbd Image Credit: tinyBuild

Right off the start, in week 30 of 2025, we’ll be getting The King is Watching via Steam PC. It’s a rougelite kingdom builder, which simply means all your experiences will be unique. If you all think the video game sounds too simple, you might want to change your mind right now.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1: The Return of Akaza was one of the most anticipated movies of 2025. And why not? After the phenomenon that was Mugen Train, fans have every right to be excited about the franchise’s latest feature. The movie opened in Japan on July 18, and many early screenings were quickly sold out.

It didn’t take too long to realize that Infinity Castle Part 1 will be breaking its previous records in one fell swoop. According to some sources, the movie has already reported surpassing 1 billion yen in earnings in just 16 hours of its opening. This means the movie has earned around 6.7 million Usd in just one day.

Demon Slayer Is Ready to Break Its Own Record

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train grossed over $507 million and became the highest-grossing movie of 2020. It is currently the highest-earning film in Japan of all time. It also broke several box office records.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy’s first movie is out, and early reviews suggest that Studio Ufotable has gone above and beyond anything they have ever attempted before. Even their work on the Demon Slayer anime and the Mugen Train movie has been overtaken by the latest production.

By the looks of it, the studio has even brought in outside staff to make sure that the movie is one of the remarkable ones that fans have come across. It was recently revealed that Shinya Ohira, a famous animator and director, worked on one of the fight sequences in Infinity Castle.

Demon Slayer Film’s Animator Partook in Ghibli Oscar Winners

Shinya Ohira has been a part of several iconic anime movies over his decades-long career. He worked on the iconic movie, Akira, in which he drew parts of the elevator scene as well as the famous explosion scene. His style...

KPop Demon Hunters, released June 20 and, at 80 million views, one of Netflix’s biggest animated films ever with chart-topping music to boot, had co-ceo Ted Sarandos singing its praises today.

The film “is a phenomenal success out of the gate. One of the things that I’m excited, really proud of the team over, is [that it’s] original animation — not a sequel, not a live action remake. Original animation … is very tough and has been struggling for years.” Leo, The Sea Beast and now Kpop Demon Hunters are original animation and “we’re super thrilled about that,” he said on a call after the giant streamer’s second-quarter earnings, noting the latter’s winning mix of music and pop culture.

“Getting it right matters. The storytelling matters. The innovation and animation itself matters. And the fact that people are in love with this film and in love with the music from this film,...

Right after landing 13 Emmy nominations Tuesday, another bit of impressive news for Netflix’s Adolescence — the mighty limited series that could was by far the most-watched TV title on the streamer in the first half of the year.

In fact, with 145M views from its premiere date on March 13 through the end of June, it was the second most-watched title overall, behind only Jamie Foxx’s Back in Action (with 165M), per Netflix’s latest What We Watched report, which details viewing across every Netflix title from January 2025 to June 2025. It is worth noting, though, that Back in Action was released in January, which gave it a huge time advantage over Adolescence to make up an extra 20M or so views.

To further illustrate this monster performance for Adolescence, it’s more than both Seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game, which were the second and third best performing titles of the...

Showcasing an exciting lineup of fan favorites and the best of pop culture, Shout! Studios, a Radial Entertainment Company, is thrilled to announce its return to the convention center this summer for San Diego Comic-Con 2025!

This year, Shout! will be giving away a number of exclusive items at its booth (#4118), while supplies last. We’ve teamed up with Gkids to help fans of the series Arcane: League Of Legends stay cool with a hand fan featuring art from the exciting series. Celebrate the works of beloved filmmaker Jim Henson with an exclusive pin pack featuring four beloved properties: The Dark Crystal, Farscape, Labyrinth, and The Storyteller. Fans of the classic sci-fi comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000 can pick up an exclusive pin pack featuring four fan-favorite characters from the show.

Capture your Sdcc experience with a visit to our photobooth, featuring backgrounds from several of our most popular film...

The influence of anime, especially in the last few years, has reached a point where it has become a part of the mainstream media. In fact, many popular celebrities and famous individuals have openly accepted their love for the Japanese art form, and among them, the one name that does not shock people is Elon Musk.

Billionaire Businessman, Meme Architect, and the former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, Musk, has confessed to his love for anime multiple times. However, it has now reached a point where he has introduced a new feature for his AI chatbot Grok called AI companions, and the first character released as part of this feature is a goth anime girl named Ani.

What’s interesting about this new AI chatbot, goth anime girl, is that it looks quite similar to Mina Amane, one of the main characters from Death Note. The...

Meet Zelda and Link! Sony and Nintendo have announced the two leads of the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Variety reports that Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo, posted on his social media to announce Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth to be portraying Zelda and Link. The post also includes either first-look photos or images from their screen tests. Miyamoto writes, “I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.” The post is then followed by, “The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 7, 2027. Thank you for your patience.”

This is Miyamoto. I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda...

At the Japan box office this weekend, all eyes will be on the performance of one title – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle.

Not only will the animated feature kick off a highly-anticipated trilogy of films, it will also follow up Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train.

Set for release on July 18 by Aniplex and Toho and produced by studio Ufotable, there is little doubt Infinity Castle will be among the top-grossing films of 2025 in Japan, where anime based on popular franchises rule the box office.

As the world heads into summer blockbuster season, anime fans have even more reason to celebrate with skyrocketing sales of this year’s must-see movie: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle.

The film, which has its roadshow and general release in Japan on July 18, isn’t a compilation film like the franchise’s previous releases focusing on the "Swordsmith Training Arc" and "Hashira Village Arc." Instead, Infinity Castle is an entirely new arc for the anime split over three movies.Ticket sales began in Japan at 12 a.m. on July 14 and almost immediately sold out, with some would-be moviegoers reporting that websites crashed due to high demand and tickets selling out within as little as 10 minutes. The film is set to have its world premiere screening at 24 cinemas around Japan at midnight on the 17th (Jst), allowing the most die-hard fans to see the film as soon as it releases.

Digimonfans are about to be gifted with a brand-new anime series. First announced back in March, Digimon Beatbreak is the new installment of the long-running anime franchise that will introduce new characters and Digimon partners to viewers. Details of the new era of Digimon are still blurry — a trailer is bound to roll out soon — but we do know that the new series will follow the traditional basic structure of a kid getting paired up with a digital monster to protect the planet. This week, the two lead voice actors of the anime were announced.

Miyu Irino will be the voice of Tomoro Tema, the new protagonist whose look is teased in the new series' first image. We don't know much about Tomoro, but he is a little older than former Digimon protagonists — which could indicate that the new series is aiming for a target audience whose age is closer...

In 1997, Studio Ghibli dazzled Japanese audiences with Princess Mononoke -- a film that advocates for nature with a heartfelt, action-packed storyline. Next year, Viz Media will be honoring the work with a brand-new physical release for its popular comic adaptation.

Viz's official X (formerly Twitter) account recently unveiled an upcoming, all-in-one edition of Princess Mononoke: The Film Comic. Originally released in 2005 as a five-volume series, this 856-page graphic novel retells Princess Mononoke's epic narrative using full-color animation stills from the hit film. According to Viz Media's X page, the comic is scheduled to hit bookstores in "Spring 2026." However, as of writing, Amazon's official listing states that the work will be released on Jan. 27, 2026. Viz Media has made Princess Mononoke: The Film Comic available to pre-order for $35.

Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke Fans Have a New International Release Coming in January Announcement: Ashitaka, Lady Eboshi, and forest protector San rise to...

Okay, let’s be real, Grave of the Fireflies isn’t just a movie. It’s more like an emotional nuke Studio Ghibli dropped on all of us. You go in thinking it’s another cozy anime about two cute siblings surviving tough times, and suddenly you’re all balled up in the corner of your bedroom, sobbing into your pillow, questioning humanity, and possibly skipping dinner.

Because, let’s face it, how do you even eat after that ending? But just when you think this 1988 classic can’t hurt you anymore, Bam, someone on the internet goes and zooms into the movie poster (posted by @jackofftoart/Ig). And suddenly, 37 years later, Grave of the Fireflies blindsides you with a whole new emotional roundhouse kick to the face.

Fireflies or Falling Death? Ghibli’s Saddest Film Just Got Way Darker

You know the Grave of the Fireflies poster I am...

Spirited Away is an unabashed coming-of-age story of Chihiro. This ten-year-old protagonist moves away from her old house, her old school, friends, and everything she has always been familiar with. The frustration of the pre-teen is understandable and expected. One can only empathize with the helplessness she feels when her parents suddenly transform into pigs.

Without her parents, Chihiro curls in on herself out of fear. She does not have her parents to guide her next move and is suddenly feeling the weight of saving them at such a young age. As the movie progresses, Chihiro’s character also evolves. She is led to a busy bathhouse where most of the story takes place. It is also the place that symbolizes her growth into adolescence.

Spirited Away’s Bathhouse: The Perfect Stage for a Coming-Of-Age Movie

Pre-teen and teenage years are probably one of the most important phases in anyone’s life.

The official X (formerly Twitter) for Digimon Beatbreak , the upcoming new TV series from the Digimon anime franchise, announced two main voice cast members today — Miyu Irino (Haku in Spirited Away ) as the human protagonist, Tomoro Tenma, and Megumi Han (Gon Freecss in Hunter × Hunter ) as Tomoro's partner digimon, Gekkomon. Message from Miyu Irino: "Digimon" was one of the main things I played when I was in elementary school. I raised my Digimon with all my heart and had a great time playing together with my friends. I am very honored to be able to play the main character in a Digimon series. I want children today to be able to feel the same excitement that we felt back then. And for the busier generations of today, I want to remind them of a time when they were so engrossed in playing. I want people to remember those days!

What is an anime? This is the question that has many people debating to this day. Is Avatar: The Last Airbender an anime? Does Studio Ghibli's work count? To end this debate once and for all, Crunchyroll's president, Rahul Purini, shares what the streaming giant defines as "authentic anime."

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Purini stated that for an anime to be considered authentic, it must be "intrinsically connected back to Japan." There might be shows that are "anime-inspired," but unless they have a direct connection to Japan, they don't count as anime. Additionally, he also noted that anime isn't a genre, but a medium for telling different stories. According to Purini, these strong definitions helped Crunchyroll become the platform it is today, enabling it to serve content that caters to its audience.

"There are a few things that are really core to us, what we call our guiding principles.