
No Disney movie has ever earned as much at theaters in Japan as the seemingly unstoppable Mugen Train.
As in many other countries, 2020 has been a rough year for the movie industry in Japan, with the coronavirus pandemic causing temporary theater closures, reduced seating once they reopened, and the public in general avoiding trips to the movies. But while numbers are down for the industry as a whole, there’s one in-theaters feature that’s having historic success, and that’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.
Mugen means “infinite,” and that almost seems like it could describe Mugen Train’s momentum too. After opening just over a month ago, on October 16, it took only 10 days to earn 10 billion yen (US$95.2 million) in box office revenue, making it the fastest to reach that mark in the history of the Japanese film industry. Ticket sales have remained strong, and as of November 24 Mugen Train’s earnings are up to 25,917,043,800 yen (US$246,828,988), raising it to the number-three movie of all time in Japanese theater revenue.
The latest bump powered Mugen Train past both Your Name and Frozen, so the film can now boast that it’s beaten every single Disney movie at the Japanese box office, with the current top five looking like this:
1. Spirited Away: 30.8 billion yen
2. Titanic: 26.2 billion yen
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train: 25.9 billion yen
4. Frozen: 25.5 billion yen
5. Your Name: 25 billion yen
As Mugen Train steamed past Your Name, the latter anime’s director, Makoto Shinkai, took to Twitter to comment on the revised rankings.
ええっ、もう!?笑
— 新海誠 (@shinkaimakoto) November 24, 2020
悔しいなあと思いつつも、記録が常に上書きされていくのもエンタメの持つ健全さですね。僕も良い映画が作れるよう、せめて日々がんばります。
劇場版「鬼滅の刃」歴代3位に!『君の名は。』『アナ雪』超え https://t.co/vRMp8VYvqa @cinematodayより
“What? It’s already earned that much? LOL
It’s vexing [to be passed up in the rankings], but records inevitably being broken is a sign of a healthy entertainment industry. I’ll keep working hard every day so I can make a good movie too.”
With Mugen Train trailing Titanic by only about 300 million yen, it seems like a sure thing that the Demon Slayer movie will surpass its mass transit-set cinematic brethren, leaving Spirited Away as the only movie still out in front of it. If Mugen Train does eventually take the top spot, though, we probably shouldn’t expect Hayao Miyazaki to have much to say about it.
Source: Livedoor News/Oricon News via Jin, Otakomu
Top image ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s just happy they didn’t decide to call it Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Gekijoban: Infinite Train Chapter: Mugen Ressha-hen.

Spirited Away’s box office total revised upwards as Demon Slayer movie closes in on its record
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Blu-ray gets English subtitles, release date announced
Demon Slayer Mugen Train movie finally has U.S. release date for theater and digital format
Demon Slayer breaks Spirited Away’s record, becomes number-one movie of all time in Japan
Demon Slayer Mugen Train about to do something no Japanese movie has done in U.S. in over 20 years
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Giant rubber duck arrives in Osaka!
Beyond sakura: How to tell a cherry blossom from a plum or peach flower
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
There are now zero Japanese live-action films in the country’s top 10 highest earning movies, but why?
Jeopardy question about Demon Slayer shows how far anime has and hasn’t come in the U.S.【Video】
Demon Slayer’s Mugen Train is now ready to be your personal home sushi train too【Photos】
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba VR roller coaster ride and more return to USJ early next year
Hayao Miyazaki ambushed while picking up trash on street for opinions on Demon Slayer
Huge 301,390-square foot Demon Slayer anime rice paddy art project planned, Tanjiro will be eaten
Demon Slayer anime is heading to Swordsmith Village as new season is immediately greenlit
Anime Your Name passing Disney’s Frozen in Japanese box office records looks increasingly likely
High-ranking U.S. politician confirmed as a Demon Slayer music fan
Demon Slayer anime’s Season 2 announced, and it’s coming soon!【Video】
Hayao Miyazaki considers Demon Slayer his rival, Studio Ghibli producer says
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is “jacking” everyone’s seat at the movies in Japan
As anime Your Name comes out on home video, did it manage to beat Frozen at the box office?
Demon Slayers in the sky with new Kimetsu no Yaiba anime-themed airliner from ANA
Demon Slayer Tamagotchi on sale now, preorders for 9 more types on the way
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name passes two Hayao Miyazaki anime’s earnings, box office romp continues