Tag: Ne Zha 2

Films

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle—Part 1: Akaza Returns Surpasses Titanic in Japan, Earns $28.5M in IMAX Before Global Release

Tanisha Cardozo

The anime juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down—before even hitting major markets like the U.S., Europe, and China.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle—Part 1: Akaza Returns, directed by Haruo Sotozaki, is rewriting the global box office playbook.

According to trade analyst Luiz Fernando, the film has already raked in a staggering $28.5 million from IMAX screenings alone—without launching in the world’s biggest markets. Currently running in Asia Pacific territories including Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, the film’s early performance hints at a massive global impact once it rolls out internationally.

In South Korea, the movie opened to a record-breaking $13 million in its first 3-day weekend, setting a new benchmark for animated features in the country.

But the real triumph came in its home country. In Japan, Infinity Castle has officially surpassed James Cameron’s Titanic with a total of ¥28 billion (~$190.1 million) in box office earnings, climbing to the 3rd highest-grossing film of all time in Japan.

Not just in revenue—Demon Slayer also broke into the elite league of audience admissions. With 20.3 million tickets sold, it overtook Disney’s Frozen, becoming the 3rd most-watched film in Japan’s cinematic history.

The film continues the epic saga of Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps as they descend into Muzan Kibutsuji’s domain—the terrifying Infinity Castle—for one final, climactic showdown. The return of Akaza and the rise of the Upper Rank demons sets the stage for one of the most intense arcs in anime history.

With anticipation building for its North American release in September, global exhibitors are preparing for a box office surge that could see Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle enter the ranks of the top-grossing animated films of all time.

Fans worldwide are bracing for the final battle—anime, it seems, is no longer a niche but a global box office force to be reckoned with.

Films

‘Ne Zha 2’ Set for Global Theatrical Release with Michelle Yeoh Leading English Voice Cast

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The Chinese animation juggernaut Ne Zha 2 is set to storm international theaters this summer, with a much-anticipated English-language release scheduled for August 22, 2025. Distributed in partnership between A24 and CMC Pictures, the film will open across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — and it’s bringing some serious star power with it.

Leading the English dub is none other than Michelle Yeoh, the Academy Award-winning actress known for Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. “I’m honored to be part of Ne Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation,” Yeoh shared, emphasizing the film’s emotionally resonant and universal storytelling.

Directed by Yang Yu, who also helmed the first Ne Zha film in 2019, the sequel draws on The Investiture of the Gods, a legendary Chinese novel. The story follows Ne Zha — a powerful, misunderstood boy born with dangerous magical abilities. Rejected by gods and mortals alike, he must rise above his destiny to confront an ancient evil that threatens humanity itself.

But this isn’t just another animated film. Ne Zha 2 has already smashed box office records, earning 12.3 billion yuan (approximately $1.71 billion), officially dethroning Pixar’s Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie globally and placing it eighth on the all-time box office chart.

With a powerful mythological narrative, groundbreaking visuals, and a format available in IMAX and 3D, Ne Zha 2 is more than a film — it’s an international spectacle. While it has already captivated audiences in China, the English version could expand its reach and cultural impact dramatically.

The rest of the English voice cast has yet to be announced, but with Michelle Yeoh leading the charge, anticipation is soaring.

Whether you’re a fan of animation, mythology, or global cinema, Ne Zha 2 promises to be one of 2025’s most thrilling releases.