Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba rolls on to its latest success.
As 2020 wound down, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train became the highest-grossing movie of all time in Japan. While it’s unlikely to repeat that feat in the U.S., the anime film is still poised for an incredible achievement in America.
North American box office projections for last weekend are showing a little over US$6.42 million in ticket sales for Mugen Train. Not only does is that more than the live-action Mortal Kombat’s projected US$6.24 million, it’s more than any other movie currently playing, making Mugen Train the number-one movie in North America last weekend!
▼ Trailer for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train
This will be only the second time ever for a Japanese movie to claim the number-one weekend ranking for North America, and the first time that’s happened in more than 20 years. And no, the first film from Japan to take the top spot wasn’t a special screening of Rashomon or Seven Samurai, but…
…Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back.
Not to take anything away from the Pokémon franchise, but Mugen Train winning the weekend will be arguably the more impressive accomplishment, since it’ll be doing so with an added degree of difficulty. Pokémon’s constant kid-friendliness means it can always rely on parents bringing their kids to the theater for some wholesome fun, with revenue pumped up even more since Mom and Dad need to buy tickets of their own too. Mugen Train, though, has been given an R-rating for its U.S. release, something that even many live-action Hollywood films try to avoid out of fear that it’ll negatively impact their ticket sale potential.
But just as they’ve overcome harsh trials within the world of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro and his companions are showing that no challenge is too big for them, and any time you’re in a group that basically consists of just you and Pikachu it’s a sign that people really, really like you.
Sources: Box Office Mojo via Otakomu, The Numbers, Twitter/@eigarankingnews
Top image: YouTube/Aniplex USA
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Demon Slayer Mugen Train movie finally has U.S. release date for theater and digital format
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Blu-ray gets English subtitles, release date announced
Demon Slayer breaks Spirited Away’s record, becomes number-one movie of all time in Japan
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】
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Japan’s favorite popsicles add multilingual packaging to better connect with foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
We tried Starbucks Japan’s new coffee for people who don’t drink coffee
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Demon Slayer passes Frozen and Your Name at Japanese box office, Shinkai comments on its success
Spirited Away’s box office total revised upwards as Demon Slayer movie closes in on its record
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】
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba VR roller coaster ride and more return to USJ early next year
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is “jacking” everyone’s seat at the movies in Japan
Demon Slayer anime is heading to Swordsmith Village as new season is immediately greenlit
There are now zero Japanese live-action films in the country’s top 10 highest earning movies, but why?
Huge 301,390-square foot Demon Slayer anime rice paddy art project planned, Tanjiro will be eaten
Japan media watchdog BPO rewatches and reevaluates Demon Slayer following new complaints
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
Hayao Miyazaki considers Demon Slayer his rival, Studio Ghibli producer says
Japanese politician piggybacks on Demon Slayer’s popularity by exploiting copyright loophole
Japan’s BPO media watchdog organization responds to complaints about Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba breaks all-time single-week Oricon manga sales record