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| Demon Slayer China Release Rumours Intensify as Other Japanese Films Face Postponements |
Concerns flared up across Chinese social media this week after multiple Japanese films suddenly postponed their China releases, raising the question everyone’s whispering: is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle (Mugen Castle) Chapter 1 next in line?
On 17 November 2025, several Japanese titles including Crayon Shin-chan: The Hot Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! were quietly pushed back from their scheduled release dates.
The timing of these delays came just as China–Japan relations entered another tense phase, with Beijing increasing scrutiny on Japanese entertainment entering the market.
This shift triggered immediate speculation that the delays were more than just routine scheduling adjustments.
Many online users connected the dots, suggesting the postponements could be a reaction to the broader political climate.
Rumours Hit Demon Slayer Screenings, But No Official Notice Issued
As chatter grew, the focus quickly shifted to one of the biggest foreign releases of the year: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Chapter 1.
Rumours claimed that the film might be pulled from cinemas beginning on 20 November, with some theatres reportedly not opening ticket sales for screenings past the 19th. That was enough to make fans nervous.
However, checks with multiple cinema chains confirmed that no official notice had been issued regarding a removal.
Already-scheduled showings remain open for purchase, and no platform has confirmed a cancellation.
In short: the panic is real, but the facts aren’t lining up with the rumours.
Demon Slayer Still Smashing the Box Office
Despite the noise, Mugen Castle continues to perform exceptionally well in China. Its early box office numbers paint a clear picture of solid demand:
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Day 1: 117 million yuan (approx. 16.8 million USD)
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Day 2: 147 million yuan (approx. 21.1 million USD)
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Day 3: 89.89 million yuan (approx. 12.9 million USD)
Including midnight screenings, the film’s three-day total hit 372 million yuan (approx. 53.5 million USD).
That’s enough to place it comfortably among the top five highest-grossing imported films of the year, and already the eighth highest-earning Japanese film in Chinese cinema history.
Simply put: rumours about its removal haven’t stopped audiences from turning up.
How Demon Slayer Compares to Other Releases
To get a clearer sense of the landscape, here’s how other key films performed in their opening stretch:
Now You See Me 3 (Hollywood)
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Day 1: 48.43 million yuan
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Day 2: 64.68 million yuan
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Day 3: 40.52 million yuan
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Three-day total: 153 million yuan
Ranked as this year’s third-best Hollywood release and 11th among imported films overall.
Family at Large (Chinese crime film featuring Hu Ge, Wen Qi, Gao Ziqi, Yan Ni, Song Jia, Gao Ye, Ou Hao)
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Day 1: 8.9 million yuan
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Day 2: 3.9 million yuan
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Two-day total: 13.47 million yuan
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Estimated final revenue: around 30 million yuan
The gap is stark. While both imported films surged ahead, the Chinese title struggled to maintain momentum.
This contrast highlights a trend that’s been forming all year: Chinese audiences are strongly favouring high-profile foreign titles, especially major Japanese releases.
Japan–China Tensions Aren’t Stopping Audience Demand
Even with the political backdrop and swirling rumours, the data is straightforward. Interest in Japanese films hasn’t cooled.
If anything, the strong performance of Mugen Castle shows that local audiences remain highly engaged with imported blockbusters, offering tough competition against domestic productions.
For now, no verified announcement confirms the removal of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Chapter 1. Until cinemas receive official instructions, screenings will continue as planned.
Source: 3g.china.com/Weibo