FilmOne Breaks West Africa Anime Box Office Records with Demon Slayer Debut

The anime movie "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" has achieved landmark success both in West Africa and globally, reshaping perceptions about anime's box office potential. FilmOne Entertainment, West Africa's largest film distribution company, recorded the highest-grossing anime opening weekend in the region, with a ₦82 million (approximately $54,828) debut, celebrated by a large community watch party and nationwide screenings across Nigerian cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Benin. In the U.S., "Infinity Castle" became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, surpassing $70 million in its opening weekend and crossing $100 million domestically after nine days, despite a steep 75.5% drop in its second weekend. The film's broad appeal is credited to its critical acclaim, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and strong engagement from Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, indicating a growing appetite for diverse storytelling and anime content in mainstream cinema. Industry experts suggest this success could encourage movie theaters and studios to embrace anime as a significant category for theatrical releases, diversifying content offerings. FilmOne Entertainment aims to capitalize on this momentum by continuing to promote diverse narratives across Nollywood, Hollywood, Bollywood, and anime, positioning itself as a leading innovator in African cinema and distribution.