Islamabad – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle officially hit Pakistani cinemas on Independence Day, August 14, 2025, drawing packed houses, long queues and sold-out shows across major cities. The release has quickly turned into a cultural moment, marking the entry of Japanese anime into mainstream cinema in Pakistan.

Early Release Puts Pakistan Ahead of the Curve

Pakistan is among the very first countries in the world to screen the film, ahead of Europe, the United States and even India, where it is set to release on September 12. Alongside Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, Pakistan was included in the early rollout, a rare privilege for local audiences. For many, it is the first time a Japanese anime film of such scale has been given a major theatrical release in the country.

The movie kicks off the Infinity Castle Trilogy, adapting the manga’s climactic final arc. It opens with Muzan Kibutsuji’s assault and Tanjiro Kamado’s entry into the castle, setting the stage for the decisive battles that will conclude one of the most successful anime series ever made. For fans, it marks the beginning of the long-awaited finale to a global phenomenon that has already smashed records, with its earlier movie Mugen Train becoming the highest-grossing film in Japanese history.

Anime’s Journey Into Pakistan

Anime itself has a long cultural history. Though it originated in Japan in the early 20th century, it gained global prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s through landmark works like Akira and Studio Ghibli films. In Pakistan, anime entered popular culture through TV shows such as Pokemon and Beyblade in the 1990s, later followed by Naruto, sparking a passion that has only deepened with the rise of streaming platforms. Today, anime appeals to both children and adults, cutting across generations.

Local cinemas have slowly nurtured this fandom. Cinepax previously screened films like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, To the Swordsmith Village, One Piece Film Red, Detective Conan and Digimon, cultivating a small but loyal audience. The current release, distributed by HKC Entertainment, has taken that to another level by tapping into Independence Day enthusiasm and attracting record crowds. Analysts predict strong box office results in the coming weeks as young audiences and families continue to flock to theatres.

The arrival of a blockbuster anime film also reflects Japan’s growing cultural influence. Beyond trade, development and technology, anime has become a form of soft power, introducing Japanese traditions of storytelling to new generations worldwide. In Pakistan, this connection resonates strongly, as local audiences find parallels between Japanese fantasy worlds and their own literary traditions.

Pakistan’s Own Storytelling Legacy

Pakistan itself has a rich heritage of imaginative storytelling, from the magical world of Ainak Wala Jin on PTV, to Umro Ayyar’s epic adventures in Tilism-e-Hoshruba, and Ibn-e-Safi’s Imran Series. More recently, Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker, the country’s first hand-drawn animated feature, drew inspiration from Studio Ghibli and demonstrated that Pakistani creators are already experimenting with anime-inspired narratives.

The excitement around Infinity Castle may serve as a catalyst for Pakistani animators and studios to reimagine local classics with global aesthetics. A modern adaptation of Ainak Wala Jin or Umro Ayyar in anime style could blend nostalgia with international appeal, giving Pakistan a distinct voice in the global creative industries.

Hence, the release of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in Pakistan is more than entertainment. It is a milestone for anime’s cultural acceptance, a moment of soft power exchange, and a reminder that Pakistan’s own storytelling legacy holds the potential to reach the world stage.