Japanese animation is shaking up the sluggish Korean box office. In 2023, 'Suzume's Door Lock' and 'The First Slam Dunk' attracted around 5 million viewers, and this year, 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Train' has taken over the box office baton. The first installment of a planned trilogy, this film is dominating the box office despite the downturns for both Korean films and Hollywood blockbusters, using its beautiful animation and emotional storytelling. Thanks to its rapid box office performance, it has surpassed 5 million viewers, and there is speculation it could reach 10 million viewers, a first for the franchise.
According to the Korean Film Council on the 1st, 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Train' had accumulated a total of 3,012,116 viewers as of the morning of the 31st of last month, surpassing the previous installment, 'Infinity Train' (2021), which had 2.22 million viewers. Compared to 'My Daughter is a Zombie', which took 11 days to reach the same audience figure, this film achieved it a day faster. It recorded over 1 million viewers after just two days, reached 2 million in five days, and after ten days, it crossed the 3 million mark, becoming the fourth highest-grossing Japanese animation in Korea, surpassing the performance of 'Howl's Moving Castle' from 2004.
The box office trend is transcending mere fandom. Reviews from theaters are pouring in with evaluations like 'the most stunning animation in human history,' 'overwhelming direction of battle scenes,' and 'deep emotional conveyance of characters.' Viewer satisfaction has led to multiple viewings, and the rewatch rate is particularly high in special formats like IMAX and 4DX. Despite controversy surrounding the work, advance ticket sales reached 920,000, and the strong purchasing power of male audiences in their 20s and 30s continues to keep the excitement alive.
The industrial impact is also growing. ANIPLUS, which holds the rights, is expected to see record revenue this year by adding to box office earnings with merchandise sales, exhibitions, and revenue from the OTT (over-the-top) platform 'Laptel.' Ticket sales alone are estimated to add hundreds of millions of won in revenue, and limited edition posters and postcards that change weekly are encouraging repeated viewings among fans.
'Demon Slayer's' rise is shining through the box office foundation laid by previous works. In 2023, 'Suzume's Door Lock' recorded 5.51 million viewers and 'The First Slam Dunk' grabbed 4.9 million viewers, elevating Japanese animation from a 'niche genre' to 'mainstream content.' In particular, 'The First Slam Dunk' proved cross-generational success by expanding its audience base to include teenagers and people in their 20s, beyond just nostalgia. Other films released in the first half of the year, such as 'Attack on Titan' (500,000) and 'Detective Conan: The Residuum of the Eye (28th, 600,000)', also showed stable performance. With 'Princess Mononoke (4K Remaster)' and 'Chainsaw Man' set to be released in the second half of the year, the influence of Japanese animation is expected to expand further.
Meanwhile, the Korean box office clearly faces a crisis. According to the Korean Film Council, the total audience for the first half of this year reached 42.5 million, a drop of 20.43 million from the same period last year. Revenue also decreased by 33%. The downturn in Korean films has been particularly pronounced. Viewership fell to 21.36 million, a decline of 42.7% from the previous year, with revenue dropping by 43%. In this situation, Japanese animation has established itself as the virtually only growth driver for theaters, helping to sustain the industry in its downturn.
This trend is also in line with changing audience sentiments. According to a recent survey by Gallup Korea, the percentage of respondents who feel positively about Japan reached 38%, the highest level since 2011. In particular, the favorability among those in their teens and 20s reached 61%. Compared to the 12% recorded during the boycott movement in 2019, this represents a significant turnaround.
An industry insider noted, 'In the past, Japanese animation was seen as the exclusive domain of a specific fandom, but now it has established itself as a popular genre without regard to age or gender,' adding, 'The high favorability among those in their 10s and 20s, coupled with the culture of repeated viewings, indicates that long-term box office momentum has been secured.'