Japanese manga series Demon Slayer has sold 200 million copies worldwide
The fourth and latest animated film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle opens in Singapore cinemas on Aug 14.
TOKYO - Popular Japanese manga Demon Slayer has sold over 200 million copies across all 23 volumes worldwide, its publisher said on July 17, a feat achieved by only a handful of titles under its wing.
The number of copies in global circulation of the hit series by Japanese manga artist Koyoharu Gotoge has hit 220 million, including digital editions, according to publishing company Shueisha Inc.
The series, which was serialised in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump from 2016 to 2020, tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, an adolescent boy who battles human-eating demons while searching for a cure for his sister, who has turned into a demon.
An animated film based on the series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train, released in 2020, became the first movie in Japan to top 40 billion yen (S$346 million) in box office revenue.
The fourth film adaptation, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle, will open in cinemas across Japan on July 18, and in Singapore on Aug 14. KYODO NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
One minute from the dream: Italy coach proud of Euro 2025 performance
Find out what's new on ST website and app. GENEVA - Italy coach Andrea Soncin found solace in heartbreak after his side came within one minute of reaching the Euro 2025 final, saying it was an encouraging sign that they came so close before losing 2-1 to England in extra time on Tuesday. "This is something which hurts, but we have to be proud of what has been done," he told reporters. "The fact that we didn't get to the final and we were one minute away is encouragement," he added. Italian midfielder Sofia Cantore told Reuters that Le Azzurre's performance showed the strength and growth of the squad. "I think we made something incredible. Now I'm sad, but we bring with ourselves the thought that we can be strong," Cantore said. The last time Italy reached a Women's European Championship final was 1997. They looked destined to repeat the feat when Juventus midfielder Barbara Bonansea fired home in the 33rd minute at the Stade de Geneve. Italian fans erupted in celebration, with one proudly holding a sign declaring "It is coming home to Rome". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Opinion Most companies onboard wrong – here's how to get it right Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving But England's 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang had other ideas, equalising in the 96th minute to send the match to extra time and ultimately crush Italian dreams. "There is a lot of regret, we were a minute and a half away from the dream... unfortunately in the final we were tired," Elena Linari told Italian broadcaster RAI. "I am proud of the girls, it is a bitter evening, but also a sweet one," she added. The support Italy received from their fans at the tournament is something Cantore hopes will continue into the future. "The fans now have to stay closer to us, because maybe they are now conscious about our strengths," she said. REUTERS

Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Chinese authorities warn comedians against provoking ‘gender opposition'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Zhejiang's publicity department chastised some comedy shows for simplifying gender issues into 'opposition between men and women'. BEIJING - Chinese officials have warned comedians against stirring up gender discord, instructing those who invoke a battle of the sexes to criticise constructively rather than 'for the sake of being funny'. The WeChat article posted over the weekend by the authorities in eastern Zhejiang province comes after a comedian detailed her abusive marriage in a performance that went viral on Chinese social media. Women's rights are sensitive territory in China – over the last decade, authorities have cracked down on almost every form of independent feminist activism. Zhejiang's publicity department chastised some comedy shows for becoming a 'battlefield' and simplifying gender issues into 'opposition between men and women'. 'Criticism is obviously fine, but it should be... constructive rather than revolve around gender opposition for the sake of being funny,' the July 20 WeChat article read. The department also offered comedians tips on how to discuss gender in their sets. 'Instead of mocking 'blindly confident men' it is better to explore the social causes for this mentality,' it suggested. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving 'Instead of blindly ridiculing 'materialistic women', it is better to reflect on how consumerism shapes gender roles.' The warning did not name a specific comedian, but called out streaming platform iQiyi's 'The King Of Stand-up Comedy', and mentioned a newcomer dubbed an 'industry gem' online. Earlier in July, the show broadcast a performance by Ms Fan Chunli – who goes by the stage name 'Fangzhuren' – an affable 50-year-old whose set revolved around her abusive marriage. Members of the audience were moved to tears and many stood to applaud when she revealed she had left her ex-husband. Clips of her set spread across the Chinese internet, earning the former sanitation worker from northern Shandong province legions of new fans. 'I hope Fangzhuren's ex-husband hears this and dies of anger,' reads the top-liked comment under a clip re-shared by the programme's official Weibo account. 'Just saying facts' The Chinese arts scene has always been heavily censored by the ruling Communist Party, and the authorities have tightened that oversight in the past decade. But the July 20 warning sparked some criticism online. 'Just saying the facts of what happened is provoking opposition between men and women?' one top-liked Weibo comment reads. 'Once something is discussed from a female perspective it is labelled gender opposition, isn't that too sensitive,' reads another. Other women have faced backlash for joking about gender issues in the past. In 2023, retail giant dropped its sponsorship of Ms Yang Li, a comedian known for asking why men 'look so mediocre yet still have so much self-confidence'. Irked customers, mostly men, filled the company's social media with angry comments after Ms Yang appeared at a promotional event. But in July, fans applauded Fangzhuren for telling her story. 'The environment changes people, and will prompt women's awakening,' she posted on Weibo. 'When I said in the village I wanted a divorce, I was... unforgivable,' she wrote. 'On the outside, when I talk about my divorce, the audience applauds.' AFP

Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Straits Times
Japan's hit Demon Slayer anime sequel shatters own box-office record
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The Demon Slayer series is part of Sony's ambitions to parlay popular anime intellectual property into a fresh array of content. TOKYO – The Japanese smash-hit anime series Demon Slayer has shattered its own opening weekend box-office record, raking in over 5.5 billion yen (S$47.7 million) with the release of a second movie on July 18 . Three-day takings for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle surpassed a 4.6 billion yen record set by the first film's release in October 2020, Sony Group Corp-owned producer Aniplex said on July 2 2. The Demon Slayer series, a historical fantasy centred around a revenge-seeking boy warrior, is part of Sony's ambitions to parlay popular anime intellectual property (IP) into a fresh array of content. Earlier in 2025 , the Tokyo-based entertainment giant launched a streaming-focused anime production house between units Aniplex and Crunchyroll. That follows deepening investment and a media alliance with powerhouse anime publisher Kadokawa in December 2024. The first Demon Slayer movie, Mugen Train, broke Japan box-office records to take in more than 40 billion yen during its local run, toppling the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away. The original manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge was a best-seller in its own right, in addition to inspiring several TV series. Shares in the film's distributor Toho Co. closed 4.1 per cent higher on July 22, following the movie's opening weekend. BLOOMBERG Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Asia Japan looks at building first atomic reactor since Fukushima Asia Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving