World domination pursuit by Sony Group with global success of "Demon Slayer" music chart conquest
In the world of animation, the Sony group is making waves with its ambitious plans to challenge Disney's dominance. This ambition is evident in the successful run of the 'Demon Slayer' series, particularly with the recent release of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle'.
The film, which opened in Japanese theaters on July 18, 2025, is the first in a new trilogy for the series and the first feature film in five years. It is produced by Sony Music Entertainment subsidiary Aniplex, which handles the distribution and international release of Sony's animated films.
Aniplex, a leading player in Japan's animation industry, achieved this status with 'Kimetsu no Yaiba'. The series, known for its tremendous success, is often seen as attempting to surpass the dominance of Studio Ghibli, especially with its record-breaking film 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train', which holds the title of the highest-grossing film in Japan's history.
'Infinity Castle' is breaking many records as a Japanese film. In its first five weeks, it earned ¥26 billion and was seen by an audience of 20 million. It is expected to overtake the total earnings of 'Mugen Train', over ¥40 billion, by mid-October.
The film has been rolled out in various countries, including Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, beginning in mid-August. It has grossed over $3 million in each country and is now being shown in more than 80 markets, including the Americas and Oceania.
If shown in China as intended, 'Infinity Castle' would likely outperform both 'Suzume' and 'The Boy and the Heron' in box office takings, potentially exceeding ¥100 billion in global box office earnings.
The parallels between Aniplex and Pixar are striking. Pixar was a tiny animation company in the 1990s but grew to become a central part of the Disney empire through successful collaborations. Similarly, Aniplex has grown significantly due to Sony's international strategy, starting with the success of 'Fullmetal Alchemist' in 2003.
The 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' series, with its potential to surpass the popularity of Studio Ghibli, is a testament to this growth. Around 75% of the country's 590 cinemas screened 'Infinity Castle' on its opening day, indicating a wide and enthusiastic audience.
While series like 'Detective Conan', 'Chiikawa', and other properties are known for steadily growing their fanbases and have increasing numbers of core fans, the 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' series seems poised to take on a household name status.
As the 'Demon Slayer' series continues to break records and gain popularity, the Sony group's challenge to Disney's dominance in the animation industry becomes increasingly apparent.
