Kaiji Tang and Robbie Daymond share how anime films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle achieved massive success—and what Hollywood should learn from it.
Anime Films Are Taking Over the Box Office
Following the record-breaking success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, voice actors from JuJutsu Kaisen are opening up about what truly makes an anime film successful on the big screen.
The Demon Slayer movie recently made history, becoming the highest-grossing international film in the U.S. with over $128.6 million in domestic earnings, according to Box Office Mojo. The film, produced by Sony’s Crunchyroll, surpassed beloved anime titles like Your Name, Spirited Away, and Suzume—setting a new standard for anime cinema worldwide.
During an interview with Polygon at New York Comic Con, the English dub cast of JuJutsu Kaisen discussed what they believe is the real “secret formula” behind such anime blockbusters.
Kaiji Tang Explains the “True Formula” for Anime Film Success
Kaiji Tang, who voices the fan-favorite character Satoru Gojo in the JuJutsu Kaisen English dub, explained that box-office triumphs like Demon Slayer aren’t just about flashy animation or big marketing pushes—they’re about emotional buildup and long-term storytelling.
“Hollywood will look at this and be like, ‘Oh man, anime films—let’s go, right?’” Tang said. “But I think the true formula to an anime film’s success is you really need those build-up seasons.”
According to Tang, the deep connection between fans and the story plays a key role:
“You need to have followed the story for two, three, four years. To see the culmination of that story on the big screen is kind of a reward for being there all those seasons. That’s when you get the huge Demon Slayer numbers. That’s the secret.”
Tang emphasized that simply producing random anime movies without context or emotional continuity won’t yield the same results.
“If you just started releasing random anime movies, you’re not going to get Demon Slayer numbers.”
Robbie Daymond Reflects on the Future of Anime Voice Acting
Fellow voice actor Robbie Daymond, who portrays Megumi Fushiguro in the English dub, shared his thoughts on the evolving anime industry—particularly how it might change as Hollywood increasingly invests in anime properties.
“I’m honored to be the last generation of boots-on-the-ground voice actors doing anime,” Daymond said. “Once the corporations get a hold of it, it’s just gonna be a bunch of celebs poorly dubbing anime.”
He added the comment with a touch of humor as Tang jokingly suggested Chris Pratt could one day voice Gojo in a Hollywood adaptation.
Demon Slayer’s Impact on the Global Anime Industry
The success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has sent shockwaves through both the anime and film industries. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and adapted from Koyoharu Gotouge’s best-selling manga, the film concludes an epic four-season journey that captivated audiences worldwide.
The film’s massive success highlights a growing global appreciation for long-form anime storytelling—a trend that JuJutsu Kaisen and other major franchises are poised to continue.
With an all-star voice cast including Channing Tatum, Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, and Rebecca Wang, Infinity Castle has proven that strong character arcs and loyal fan engagement are far more valuable than quick standalone releases.
What’s Next for JuJutsu Kaisen
As for JuJutsu Kaisen, the dark fantasy anime adapted from Gege Akutami’s manga first premiered in 2020, captivating viewers with its blend of supernatural combat and emotional storytelling. Its prequel film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, hit theaters in 2021 and received widespread acclaim for its powerful narrative and animation quality.
Now, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment — Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1, which is set to arrive on Crunchyroll in January 2026.
With Demon Slayer leading the way and Jujutsu Kaisen continuing to build its cinematic universe, it’s clear that the anime industry’s momentum shows no sign of slowing down.
The Future of Anime Films: Build, Reward, Repeat
Both Kaiji Tang and Robbie Daymond agree: anime’s power lies in long-term storytelling, emotional investment, and authenticity. When fans spend years following their favorite heroes and arcs, the reward of seeing those moments come to life on the big screen becomes far more impactful.
Hollywood, Tang suggests, would do well to take note. The key to anime movie success isn’t just production—it’s passion, patience, and payoff.
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