Demon Slayer Post-Infinity Castle Future Gets First Official Update: Bigger Than Fans Expected
A vision for lasting success
Demon Slayer has become a major force in anime, with its films among the world’s highest-grossing movies in multiple years. As its Infinity Castle film trilogy approaches the story’s ending, Aniplex chairman Atsuhiro Iwakami has spoken about wanting the franchise to last.
Iwakami described Demon Slayer as a franchise he hopes can cross generations. He said the aim was for it to endure “10 or 20, if not 50 to 100 years,” and to help create franchises that last for decades.
Not a century of episodes
The comments do not establish a plan to produce 100 years of Demon Slayer anime. The manga runs for just over 200 chapters, and the main story does not offer enough material for an anime that long.
The franchise may still have years of anime ahead. The article says the second and likely third Infinity Castle films could bring the anime franchise to a healthy 10 years, with its existing episodes and films remaining available to revisit.
More ways to keep fans
Potential future projects could include spin-off manga or light novels, as well as content that reaches audiences beyond anime. The article notes a live-action project as one possibility, drawing a comparison with Netflix’s One Piece.
Sony and Aniplex could also seek to expand opportunities involving streaming, games, music, merchandise, and live experiences. Yet Demon Slayer’s underlying intellectual property belongs to Shueisha, which limits Sony’s ability to control the franchise beyond its anime work.
Sony’s broader franchise plans
Iwakami’s comments reflect a wider interest in building entertainment properties that can last. Sony’s new planning and production company, Hayate Inc., is working on adaptations including The Remarried Empress, The Boxer, and SSS-Class Revival Hunter, as well as projects based on Sony property such as Ghost of Tsushima.
For Demon Slayer and other Weekly Shonen Jump hits, Shueisha remains a key obstacle to broader control. The account says buying the publisher or becoming one of its largest shareholders came up in Bloomberg’s interview, but does not provide further details.
Key points
- Iwakami hopes Demon Slayer can endure for decades, potentially as long as 50 to 100 years.
- His remarks do not amount to a plan for 100 years of anime episodes.
- Future possibilities include spin-offs, live action, games, music, merchandise, and live experiences.
- Shueisha owns Demon Slayer’s underlying intellectual property, limiting Sony’s control beyond anime.