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The highly anticipated Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie trilogy is on the horizon, but another anime film is making waves at the Japanese box office. A new hit movie from the legendary Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which has captivated audiences for nearly five decades, is emerging as a major competitor.
The Rise of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, the latest theatrical release based on the new Gundam TV series, has exceeded expectations in Japan. According to Oricon, the film, produced by Sunrise and Studio Khara (Rebuild of Evangelion), has drawn 1.38 million viewers and generated over 2.2 billion yen in revenue within just 24 days. Premiering on January 17, 2025, its impressive box office performance has led to comparisons with Demon Slayer‘s dominance in the anime industry.
During the weekend of February 7-9, 2025, the movie attracted 112,000 viewers and grossed 191 million yen, securing fourth place at the box office, as reported by cinema chain Kogyo Tsushinsha. With its continued success, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX has now tied with Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway as the second-highest-grossing film in the Gundam franchise. The top spot remains with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, which debuted on January 26, 2024, amassing over $36 million worldwide.
A Broader Audience Boosts Gundam‘s Success
A key factor in the strong performance of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- is its appeal beyond traditional Gundam fans. According to statistics from @/tsurezure_lab on X (formerly Twitter), the film has drawn in a diverse audience, including those who enjoyed the 2022 Telugu-language action epic RRR over Gundam SEED Freedom. This broader demographic has contributed significantly to its box office success.
Demon Slayer’s Box Office Legacy
The Demon Slayer franchise set an unprecedented benchmark with the release of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. The 2020 animated film became the highest-grossing movie of the year, raking in over $507 million worldwide and surpassing Spirited Away as the highest-grossing anime and Japanese film of all time. This incredible success catapulted Demon Slayer to international prominence, leading to further theatrical releases.
However, following Mugen Train, subsequent Demon Slayer theatrical releases were repurposed TV episodes edited for cinema screenings, serving as teasers for new seasons. One such example is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village-, which grossed over two billion yen within 10 days of its Japanese release on February 3, 2023, according to Oricon.
Can Demon Slayer Maintain Its Dominance?
As Demon Slayer continues its cinematic journey with the upcoming Infinity Castle trilogy, it faces growing competition from emerging anime films. While Mugen Train set a towering benchmark, the success of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- demonstrates that audiences are open to fresh narratives and dynamic storytelling from other long-standing franchises.
With both franchises pushing the boundaries of anime cinema, the coming years will reveal whether Demon Slayer can continue to dominate or if Gundam will rise to challenge its reign at the box office. One thing is certain—anime fans are in for an exciting era of cinematic spectacles.
