The Japanese animated film "Demon Slayer: Infinity Train" (hereinafter referred to as "Infinity Train") surpassed a cumulative audience of 1.15 million just two days after its domestic release. This is the fastest pace among films that have exceeded 1 million viewers this year.
According to the integrated ticketing system on the 24th, "Demon Slayer: Infinity Train" attracted about 543,900 viewers on its opening day, the 22nd, and 606,300 viewers on the 23rd. It has caused a sensation in the domestic film market by surpassing a cumulative audience of 1.15 million on its second day of release.
This is the shortest record among films that have exceeded 1 million viewers this year. The top-grossing film of the year, "My Daughter is a Zombie," starring Jo Jung-seok, recorded a cumulative audience of 1 million in just four days.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, "Infinity Train" is the first film in a trilogy leading to the conclusion of the story that continues from the TV series. The story pits Kibutsuji Muzan, the leader of the demons, against the Demon Slayer Corps as he lures them into the demons' stronghold, "Infinity." It takes place after the TV series "Demon Slayer: Joint Training Arc," which aired last year.
The film surpassed 12.55 million viewers in Japan just 17 days after its release. Its box office earnings exceeded 17.6 billion yen (approximately 1.659 trillion won).
"Demon Slayer" is based on the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, which has surpassed cumulative sales of 220 million copies. It was adapted into a TV anime in 2019, and the first film, "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train," was released in 2020, attracting 2.22 million viewers in Korea. "Infinity Train" is expected to easily surpass this figure.
Meanwhile, "Demon Slayer" has also faced criticism for glorifying Japanese militarism, as the protagonist Tanjiro's earrings resemble a war flag, and the organization within the work, "Demon Slayer Corps," evokes memories of Imperial Japan's student soldiers.