By Brian Wilson On May 5, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social, a social media platform owned by Trump Media & Technology Group, that he would impose a 100% tariff on any movie that was produced in a “foreign land.” This was his attempt at reviving the American movie industry, calling other movies a “national security threat.”
Indirectly, through Trump’s May 2025 statement, he implied that anime and anime movies are a “national security threat,” despite their harmless nature. Moreover, highly anticipated titles, such as Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, were yet to be released.
To nobody’s surprise, however, it didn’t stop Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle from breaking box office records left and right. Fans were not deterred by it and instead kept the anime industry thriving in the US.
Infinity Castle Surpasses Box Office Records, Despite Trump’s Tariffs
It should be no secret that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is breaking box office records all over the world. With the sheer number of fans who waited a year to see what happened at the end of Season 4, the reaction made sense. It was first released in Japan on July 18, 2025, with an opening weekend box office record of $37.6 million (via Crunchyroll News).
Then, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle slowly released, with the United States getting it on September 12, 2025. Now that all regions have received it, the total box office record has shot up significantly. If Japan’s opening weekend box office astonished you, you aren’t ready for how much it earned in the United States.
From September 12, 2025, to September 14, 2025, the highly anticipated movie earned $70.6 million in the United States (via Box Office Mojo) in 3,315 theatres across the country. It set the record for the biggest opening weekend earnings an international film has made.
Thus, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle proves that no matter how high a tariff Trump puts on movies produced in a foreign land, fans will find a way to make it thrive at the box office. It also isn’t slowing down, as it has accumulated a total of $555 million worldwide (via Crunchyroll News), and is projected to earn far more.
Demon Slayer’s Success Proves Anime Movies Defy Trump’s Tariffs
Anime movies are some of the best works in the movie industry, delivering in terms of visuals and storytelling. They can provoke emotions unlike any other form of entertainment, and we’ve seen it happen, time and again. Currently, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is active proof. Not a dry eye left the theatre after witnessing the epic events.
In the past, however, we’ve witnessed the success of other anime movies, one of which is within the Demon Slayer franchise. Those who have done exceptionally well and enriched the movie industry, which is unlike what Trump says about it being a “national security level threat.” Here’s the Top 10 highest-grossing anime movies:
With more movies, such as Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and 100 Meters, the anime industry isn’t going to slow down in the United States. It’s only been two weeks since Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle came out, too. Trump’s tariffs do not affect the anime fans who are excited to see more in theatres.
Will Trump’s tariffs affect the anime movies going forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is currently in theatres.
