Crunchyroll Aims for Oscar Glory with New Anime Blockbuster CEO Confirms
Crunchyroll is pushing for Oscar recognition for its latest anime hit, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle. The movie has generated massive excitement among fans, and the streaming platform is now actively campaigning to have it considered for Academy Awards.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini expressed confidence in the film’s quality. “We think the movie is incredible — the animation, the story, the quality on all fronts. So yes, the fans absolutely deserve for the movie to be considered for awards,” he said.
He added, “We’ll do our part to make sure it gets the right level of support to be considered in all of the categories it could be eligible for.”
Infinity Castle has already made a huge impact at the box office. In just 12 days, the film dominated U.S. theaters, reflecting the strong support from its global audience.
The Japanese animated film adapts the “Infinity Castle” arc of the popular Demon Slayer manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge.
It continues the story from the anime’s fourth season and follows the earlier films Mugen Train (2020), To the Swordsmith Village (2023), and To the Hashira Training (2024). Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, the film stands out as a feature-length adaptation rather than a simple compilation of episodes, similar to the approach used in Mugen Train.
Officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, the movie premiered in Japan on July 18, via Aniplex and Toho. Crunchyroll handled distribution in select Asian countries in August, followed by a wider international release in September.
#NEWS @Crunchyroll is bringing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle to theatres in 2025! pic.twitter.com/sIUJACg3GO
— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (English) (@DemonSlayerUSA) December 8, 2024
The film shattered several box office records, earning $556 million worldwide. It became the highest-grossing film of 2025 in Japan, the highest-grossing Japanese film globally, and the second-highest-grossing movie in Japanese history. Critics praised its stunning visuals, action sequences, and compelling story, though some pointed out minor pacing issues.
With its impressive animation, strong storytelling, and record-breaking performance, Crunchyroll believes Infinity Castle deserves recognition beyond box office numbers. The campaign for an Oscar nomination underscores the growing international influence of anime in mainstream cinema.
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