Golden Globes 2026: Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie Misses Out on Animated Film Award
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards, often dubbed the “precursor to the Academy Awards,” held its ceremony on January 12, 2026 (local time January 11). In the Animated Film category, the spotlight was on the sole Japanese nominee, Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugen Jou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Saiai (also known as Demon Slayer: The Movie – Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza’s Return), but the honor went to KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters instead.
About Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
Kimetsu no Yaiba (widely known as Demon Slayer) is a massively popular anime based on the manga by Gotouge Koyoharu. Published under Shueisha’s Jump Comics, the series wrapped up with 23 volumes and has sold over 220 million copies worldwide. The story follows Kamado Tanjirou, a kind-hearted boy whose family is slaughtered by demons. His sister, Nezuko, is turned into a demon, and Tanjirou joins the Demon Slayer Corps (Kisatsutai) to find a way to turn her back into a human. What hooks fans is the blend of heart-wrenching drama, breathtaking sword-fighting action, a cast of incredibly memorable characters, and just the right dash of comedy.
The anime is produced by the renowned studio ufotable. It all started with the TV series Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kamado Tanjirou Risshi Hen in April 2019. The story is now reaching its climax with the movie trilogy, Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugen Jou-hen, which delves into the final battle within the demons’ fortress, the Infinity Castle. The first chapter, Dai Isshou Akaza Saiai, hit theaters on July 18, 2025.
The Golden Globe Awards and Japanese Anime
The Golden Globes are a major film award decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. They’re a huge deal in the industry and often seen as a bellwether for the Oscars. For the 83rd edition, films eligible for nomination had to be released in the Los Angeles area between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
The Animated Film category was introduced at the 64th Golden Globes. Japanese animation has made its mark here before, with nominations like Mirai no Mirai (Mirai) at the 76th, Inu-ou (Inu-Oh) at the 80th, and Suzume no Tojimari (Suzume) at the 81st. The big win came at the 81st awards with Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron), which later went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature—a historic moment for Japanese cinema.
This Year’s Nominees and High Expectations
The Animated Film category at the 83rd Golden Globes was a stacked lineup. Alongside the Kimetsu no Yaiba movie, nominees included Arco (original title), Hoshi Tsunagi no Elio (which can be translated as Elio, the Star Connector), KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters, Ameri to Ame no Monogatari (Ameri and the Rain Story), and Zootopia 2.
As the first Japanese film nominated in this category since 2024, the Kimetsu no Yaiba movie carried immense weight. It shattered records, becoming the first Japanese film ever to cross the 100 billion yen mark in global box office revenue. In the United States, it soared past Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to become the highest-grossing foreign-language film of all time. With such monumental success, all eyes were on the Golden Globes to see if it would translate into awards recognition.
What’s Next for the Infinity Castle Arc?
While it didn’t take home the Golden Globe, the journey isn’t over. Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugen Jou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Saiai has already earned a nomination for the Producers Guild Award (PGA) for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures. It’s also in the running as a nominee candidate for the Animated Film category at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
The next big milestone is the 98th Academy Awards in March. The big question is whether the Demon Slayer Corps can secure an Oscar nomination. Fans and industry watchers will definitely be keeping a close eye on its upcoming awards season journey.
Writer: Nakase Koutarou
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