The film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1 – Akaza Returns has had an impressive box office run in Japan, officially ending its extended theatrical engagement on April 9, 2026, after opening on July 18, 2025. To commemorate the film's domestic Blu-ray and DVD release on July 29, a special screening featuring the cast was held on Sunday, August 9.
At the event, key voice actors Takahiro Sakurai (Giyu Tomioka) and Saori Hayami (Shinobu Kocho) appeared for a fan meet-and-greet. Beyond introducing the work, they took time to reflect on their roles, particularly the sequences tied to their characters' tragedies within the swirling chaos of the Infinity Castle.
Notably, both actors shared that recreating the psychological wounds of their characters amid the brutality of battle was profoundly difficult. They said the scenes depicting Giyu and Shinobu's pasts and losses left lingering emotional impact on audiences, and that behind the microphone, they too struggled to hold back tears in the face of the story's sorrow.
During a live Q&A with fans, Sakurai expressed gratitude for the support the film has received. He emphasized that the production's visual and audio investment created a wholly distinct cinematic experience, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with each character's inner world. Meanwhile, Hayami offered sincere thanks to fans who have stood by the franchise, calling the project a memorable highlight of her career.
The event not only marked the film's physical release milestone but also served as a moment for the cast and audience to look back on an emotional chapter of the series, ahead of the next installments in the tear-soaked adventure of the Demon Slayer world.
