Studio Ghibli is a well-known Japanese animation studio, famous for creating exceptional animated films. They have been producing these remarkable movies since they began in 1985.
Studio Ghibli is like a powerhouse of Japanese animation, and whether you like fantastical adventures or touching dramas based on history, they have a movie for everyone to enjoy. Their films are not only visually stunning but also emotionally powerful.
One outstanding example of their global reach is the enduring popularity of Spirited Away ($395M), which held the top spot on Japan’s Box Office chart for an impressive nineteen years. However, in 2020, this long-standing reign was finally dethroned by a shonen anime, marking a historic moment in Japanese cinema.
No, it wasn’t Naruto or Dragon Ball, but another popular shonen anime took the crown as the highest-earning animated movie with its over $500M revenue.
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Surpasses Spirited Away as Japan’s Highest-Grossing Film
An anime epic depicting a boy’s quest to hunt down and decapitate demons has unexpectedly taken Japanese cinema by storm during the pandemic, and it stands poised to become the highest-grossing film of all time in the country.
Demon Slayer, a feature-length film adapted from the popular manga series, has unseated Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, the fantastical 2001 tale that secured an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The narrative of Tanjiro, whose life undergoes a profound transformation after his family falls victim to a demon attack, has amassed a staggering over 40 billion yen (approximately $500 million) at the box office since its premiere.
Since its debut in Japanese theaters as far back as October 2020, Mugen Train has shattered records not only in Japan but also globally. It achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first non-Hollywood film to claim the number one spot on the list of highest-grossing films in a calendar year, outearning every film released in 2020.
If you don’t know anything about the Demon Slayer movie, here is a short summary for you all:
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train – Short Summary
Tanjiro Kamado and his companions, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, join Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku on the Mugen Train to hunt a demon behind mysterious disappearances.
Inside the train, they confront two demons, instantly killed by Kyojuro. Enmu, a Twelve Kizuki member, ensnares them in a deep sleep, using passengers with insomnia to attack their dreams. Tanjiro is awakened by Nezuko and rescues his friends, subduing irate passengers.
He faces Enmu on the train’s roof and defeats him, but Enmu fuses with the train to devour passengers. Tanjiro, Inosuke, and the conductor derail the train by destroying Enmu’s neckbone.
Their battle continues they are attacked by Upper Three of the Twelve Kizuki, Akaza. Kyojuro valiantly battles but succumbs to mortal wounds. Helpless, Tanjiro and Inosuke watch as Akaza escapes. Despite their loss, Kyojuro’s sacrifice fuels their determination to continue their mission.
Source: The Numbers
