Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugenjou Hen Dai Isshou Wins Anime Sakuhin Shou at Houchi Eiga Shou! An Honor Following Mugen Ressha Hen

Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai Wins Animation Film Award at the Dai 50 Kai Hochi Eiga Shou

The prestigious “Dai 50 Kai Hochi Eiga Shou” (50th Hochi Film Awards), kicking off Japan’s film awards season, has unveiled its winners! The highly anticipated Animation Film Award was proudly taken by Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai, the first installment in a three-part theatrical film series that depicts the climactic final battle of the Kimetsu no Yaiba (also known as *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba*) anime franchise.

2025.12.2 Tue 12:25

About the Phenomenal Kimetsu no Yaiba Series

Kimetsu no Yaiba is an anime adaptation of the hugely popular manga by Gotouge Koyoharu, which has sold over 220 million copies across 23 volumes published by Shueisha’s “Jump Comics”. The gripping story follows Kamado Tanjiro, a kind-hearted boy whose family is tragically massacred by demons. Determined to restore his demon-transformed sister, Nezuko, back to human form, Tanjiro bravely joins the Demon Slayer Corps (Kisatsutai) and throws himself into a perilous war against the demonic forces. The series captivates audiences with its poignant narrative of humans and demons, breathtakingly intense sword fights, unforgettable characters, and cleverly interwoven comedic moments.

The esteemed studio ufotable has been at the helm of animation production since the very beginning, launching the series with the television anime Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kamado Tanjiro Risshi-hen (Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc) in April 2019. The Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Castle Arc), which stages the ultimate showdown between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons within their stronghold, the Infinity Castle (Mugenjou), has been confirmed as a spectacular three-part cinematic event. Its thrilling first chapter, Akaza Sairai (Akaza’s Return), premiered on July 18th, leaving fans eager for more.

Record-Breaking Box Office Success

Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai has truly broken records. In Japan alone, over its 122-day run until November 16th, the film attracted a staggering 26,045,587 moviegoers and grossed an incredible 37,927,589,200 yen at the box office. Starting in August, the film began its sequential release in international territories, and by the same date, its cumulative global audience, including Japan, soared to 89,177,796 people, with total worldwide box office revenue reaching an astounding 106,370,568,950 yen! According to research by Aniplex, this monumental achievement marks the first time in Japanese film history that a Japanese movie’s worldwide box office revenue has surpassed 100 billion yen. The film continues to build immense excitement with initiatives like the release of character commercials featuring exhilarating footage from the main story, and the distribution of special 11th-round visitor appreciation bonuses, which included an exclusive message board personally drawn by the original creator, Gotouge Koyoharu. It was amidst this unprecedented buzz and continued popularity that the film received this highly distinguished award.

About the Hochi Film Awards

The Hochi Film Awards (Hochi Eiga Shou) were established in 1976, making them the very first film awards to be independently hosted by a sports newspaper. These prestigious awards serve as a comprehensive year-end review, honoring the most outstanding films and actors of the year. While numerous film awards and festivals celebrate cinematic excellence across Japan from the end of the year into the new year, the Hochi Film Awards are unique in that they are the first to announce their winners. This early announcement garners significant attention, as the awards often predict the recipients of subsequent accolades. A distinctive feature of these awards is their reader-participation format, allowing film enthusiasts to have a voice in the selection process.

Initially, the awards recognized excellence across seven categories: Film, Lead Actor and Actress, Supporting Actor and Actress, Newcomer, and International Film. In its 10th edition (1985), the Director Award was added, further expanding its scope. Later, in its 42nd edition (2017), the Animation Film Award was introduced, acknowledging the growing impact and artistry of anime cinema. While Special Awards may be granted in certain years, the Animation Film Award consistently highlights exceptional animated works. Last year, at the 49th edition (2024), Look Back received this honor. Notably, this marks the second time a theatrical film from the Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series has been celebrated, with Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugen Ressha-hen (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train Arc) having previously been selected at the 45th edition (2020), a remarkable achievement for the franchise!

Dai 50 Kai Hochi Eiga Shou Winners

Newly Established from the 50th Edition: BS10 Premium Award

Selection Committee Members: (in Japanese alphabetical order)

Written by Nakase Koutarou

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