Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza’s Return premiered in Japanese theaters on July 18, 2025, kicking off a highly anticipated trilogy set to conclude the saga of Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps. The film has already made waves, positioning itself as a contender for the biggest anime movie of all time at the box office. While fans in North America and other regions must wait until September 12, 2025, to see the cinematic spectacle, the excitement surrounding the release has been tempered by challenges stemming from its Japan-exclusive debut.
The rise of pirated footage online has prompted a swift and firm response from Ufotable, the studio behind Demon Slayer. In an official statement posted on their social media account, the team addressed the issue directly:
Pirated footage of the movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza’s Return can be found on the internet. Filming movies in theaters without permission is a crime. We intend to take strict measures, including criminal prosecution, against egregious copyright violations. We will continue to take appropriate actions so that you can enjoy Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba in theaters.
This declaration underscores Ufotable’s commitment to safeguarding their work and ensuring that fans experience the film in its intended theatrical format, especially as piracy remains a persistent issue in the anime industry, exacerbated by the film’s limited initial release.
Anime piracy has been a persistent issue, with recent high-profile releases like My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 also facing unauthorized distribution online. In Japan, authorities and studios have intensified efforts to combat this, with organizations like the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) collaborating with international law enforcement to shut down illegal streaming sites and pursue legal action against offenders. Japan’s updated copyright laws, strengthened in recent years, now impose stricter penalties for illegal recordings in theaters, reflecting a broader push to protect the anime industry’s economic and creative interests.
The first installment of the Infinity Castle trilogy, with its substantial two-and-a-half-hour runtime, picks up after the dramatic events of Demon Slayer’s fourth season, where the Hashira Training concluded and the villainous Muzan killed the head of the Demon Slayer Corps. The surviving Hashira, driven by vengeance, were drawn into the titular Infinity Castle, setting the stage for an epic confrontation. Ufotable’s proactive stance against piracy aims to preserve the cinematic experience for this pivotal chapter, as the studio navigates the global demand for one of the most popular shonen franchises in recent history.
When is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza’s Return releasing in U.S. Theaters?
North American fans can mark their calendars for September 12, 2025, when Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza’s Return will hit U.S. theaters. This release marks the start of the film’s international rollout, offering audiences outside Japan the chance to witness Tanjiro’s next chapter on the big screen. With the trilogy poised to wrap up the story that concluded in Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga in 2020, the U.S. premiere is expected to be a major event for anime enthusiasts, though details about the subsequent two films, including their titles and release dates, remain under wraps.
Watch the trailer for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza’s Return below:
