Record-Breaking Debut of “Demon Slayer” in China
The latest animated film adaptation of the globally acclaimed Japanese manga “Demon Slayer” made its debut in China on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. The movie, which has already become a massive hit worldwide, set a new record for ticket presales in mainland China, surpassing previous benchmarks and establishing itself as the top-grossing imported animation movie.
The film’s release in China came months after its initial launch in Japan and was also available in nearby regions such as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan in August. Fans eagerly awaited the movie’s arrival, with many attending the first screenings that began just after midnight in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Some fans even dressed as characters from the manga, showing their enthusiasm for the highly anticipated release.
According to reports, ticket presales for the film have already exceeded 180 million yuan ($25.3 million), breaking the previous record held by the 2022 Japanese film “The First Slam Dunk.” That movie, which was released in mainland China the following year, had generated 115 million yuan in presale revenue.
A 26-year-old female graduate student, who was dressed as the protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, expressed her deep appreciation for the film after watching it at a Shanghai cinema. She described the movie as “deeply moved” and thanked the author Koyoharu Gotoge, voice actors, and the entire crew for their work.
“The highlights of the movie were mainly the exquisite visuals and smooth action scenes,” she said. “The special effects were dazzling and stunning.”
Another long-time fan of the series, a 24-year-old male, shared his excitement before watching the film in Beijing. He said, “I am so happy the film was released in mainland China. I had been waiting for it.”
Film Length and Public Interest
The film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle Part 1: Akaza Returns” has captured widespread interest in China. It maintains the same runtime as other countries—155 minutes—indicating that no scenes were cut for the Chinese audience.
This film is a follow-up to the blockbuster 2020 release “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Mugen Train.” However, the 2020 film has not yet been released in mainland China. Chinese media have suggested that the film’s “excessively bloody battle scenes” might be a reason for its delayed approval in the country.
Before the official release in mainland China, many Chinese fans traveled to regions such as Hong Kong, Macao, and the outlying island of Kinmen to see the film. These efforts highlight the strong demand for the movie, which has already become the highest-grossing anime movie worldwide.