The anime industry has never seen a series as explosive as Demon Slayer, especially following the release of Infinity Castle Part 1: Akaza’s Return. Its unprecedented box-office success, paired with its global acclaim, has pushed the series to historic, jaw-dropping heights, effectively reshaping expectations for anime’s future and what it can achieve on the world stage.
However, another anime rapidly built momentum and could rival or surpass Demon Slayer’s records. Solo Leveling already had a strong fan base through its manhwa, but its anime adaptation quickly cultivated a vast international audience, allowing the series to break records and gain worldwide attention, positioning it as a potential rival to Demon Slayer.
Demon Slayer Shattered Worldwide Records in 2025
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 redefined what anime could achieve at the global box office in 2025. The film shattered numerous records and claimed the title of the highest-grossing international film in U.S. history with its premiere setting unprecedented numbers for anime openings across North America.
In Japan, Infinity Castle set new benchmarks for single-day and weekend opening revenue, quickly surpassing the previous records held by its predecessor, Mugen Train. The film has gone on to become the highest-grossing Japanese film ever created, eclipsing Spirited Away, which held the title for nearly two decades before Mugen Train.
By the end of 2025, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle retained its place among the top ten highest-grossing films for the year worldwide. With nearly $800 million earned, its achievements cement the series’ place as a historical anime and prove that the medium has grown far past its beginnings as a niche interest.
Solo Leveling Is Rising To Become an Anime Powerhouse
Following the success of Demon Slayer, the entertainment industry has become increasingly aware of the fact that anime is an entertainment powerhouse, with more audiences around the world beginning to take note as well. This is evident in another series that has quickly skyrocketed to international fame, Solo Leveling, a popular Korean manhwa that dominated Crunchyroll.
The series centers around Sung Jinwoo, a once-weak hunter who rises to become one of the most powerful beings after gaining the mysterious System, which allows him to level up as the Player. Jinwoo quickly becomes the Shadow Monarch, granting him skills and abilities that make him a fearsome adversary and an ally that hunters would be grateful for.
The anime adaptation exploded in popularity, setting records on Crunchyroll, becoming the most-viewed and most-rated title in its library, surpassing long-standing anime giants like One Piece and Demon Slayer. Its international reception has made Solo Leveling one of the most popular and influential modern anime series, solidifying its place alongside other hit titles.
Solo Leveling went on to earn Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year Award, as well as Best Action, Best New Series, Best Main Character, Best Score, and Best Ending Sequence. Its achievements demonstrate the series’ immense success and position it for continued growth as more audiences take notice.
A Solo Leveling Film Could Destroy Infinity Castle’s Records
With Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation already shattering records, a potential film could easily redefine what anime is capable of beyond Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle. While no official announcement has been made, there have been industry rumors suggesting that a Solo Leveling film could arrive in late 2026 or potentially be officially announced later in the year.
Its success inspired a massive surge of interest in anime, standing out as the entry point for many newcomers.
If a Solo Leveling film is confirmed, it could be the series to surpass Demon Slayer’s box-office records. While Infinity Castle has yet to reach a billion dollars in gross earnings, it’s incredibly close and could very well still become the first anime to achieve that milestone.
However, if it doesn’t reach that landmark, a Solo Leveling feature film could break its record to become the first billion-dollar anime. That said, with the advantage and momentum that Demon Slayer currently has, if Solo Leveling does not become the first billion-dollar anime, it could still become the fastest anime to reach that record.
Solo Leveling Is a Far More Accessible Series Than Demon Slayer
The global impact of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has done far more than break records, as it stands as the series that firmly cemented anime’s place in mainstream entertainment, capturing the attention of both Hollywood and casual audiences. Its success inspired a massive surge of interest in anime, standing out as the entry point for many newcomers.
Similarly, Solo Leveling’s explosive popularity attracted many casual fans with its fast-paced narrative and shorter run. With only two seasons totaling 25 episodes, the series is highly approachable to newcomers, especially when compared to several seasons of Demon Slayer, which amount to over 60 episodes, with some exceeding standard 24-minute runtimes.
Solo Leveling’s intensity and accessibility make it a binge-friendly series that grips viewers with relentless action and stunning visuals. Paired with its widespread international popularity and strong fan base, the series could become a historic anime that rapidly achieves milestones. With fewer episodes, immense popularity, and ongoing momentum, Solo Leveling could potentially break Demon Slayer’s records.
