As 2025 draws to a close, it's clear that this year has been a major success for anime on the big screen. Several full-length animated features dominated the Japanese box office, and three of them even landed among the top five highest-grossing films in Japan.
The biggest domestic phenomenon of the year was the first installment of the trilogy Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle. According to the latest figures, it earned an astounding 38.71 billion yen (around $247 million), becoming the second highest-grossing film in Japan's box office history, just behind the record-breaking Demon Slayer: Mugen Train from 2020, which brought in 40.43 billion yen.
Worldwide, the new Demon Slayer film pulled in an impressive $718.5 million, making it one of the top global releases of the year and the highest-grossing Japanese movie of all time. The film’s emotional storytelling, breathtaking animation, and cinematic battle sequences have once again reminded audiences why the Demon Slayer franchise continues to set new standards for anime adaptations.
The Infinity Castle trilogy will adapt the remaining chapters of the Demon Slayer manga, bringing Tanjiro’s dramatic journey to a close. Produced by the acclaimed studio ufotable, the first film premiered in July and became an instant sensation. Fans are now eagerly waiting for the second and third parts, whose release dates have yet to be announced. For collectors inspired by the series’ success, exploring unique Demon Slayer mouse pads can be a fun way to bring that same energy to your workspace.
Another major hit was Detective Conan: The One-Eyed Memories, the 28th film in the long-running Detective Conan franchise. Released in April, it grossed 14.66 billion yen (about $93.6 million), securing its place among the year’s top box office earners. The film combined emotional storytelling with intricate mystery elements, keeping both longtime fans and newcomers captivated.
With this release, the Detective Conan series achieved a new milestone - it became the only anime franchise to have three consecutive films surpass the 10 billion yen mark at the Japanese box office. The next installment, from TMS Entertainment, is already in production and expected to hit theaters in spring 2026.
Rounding out the list is Chainsaw Man: Reze’s Story, which premiered in September. The film continues the dark, violent, and emotionally charged narrative of the Chainsaw Man universe, adapting the popular Reze arc from the manga. By the end of the year, it amassed 10 billion yen (approximately $63.8 million) in ticket sales, confirming that the series’ edgy storytelling continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
The movie was produced by MAPPA, the studio behind some of the most visually striking anime of recent years. MAPPA has also begun work on the second season of the Chainsaw Man TV series, promising even more intensity and chaos to come.
Overall, 2025 proved that anime is not just a niche genre but a global powerhouse capable of dominating both domestic and international screens. With storytelling and animation reaching new heights, fans can look forward to 2026 bringing even more spectacular releases from Japan’s most creative studios.
