Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man make history, further proving that anime is not niche anymore

People who love anime are celebrating as this genre has finally achieved its biggest victory to date. Two anime movies, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc, are now officially part of the Top 30 of the Global Box Office. Both of these films were released in the same year, and this proves two things. First, anime is no longer a niche category. Second, the Japanese animation industry is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

With Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle by Ufotable has proved itself with a level of flawless animation that has left audiences eagerly waiting for more. Meanwhile, Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc by MAPPA continues to show its audience why this production house is one of the top dogs, making the genre’s growth undeniable.

These two films have gone head-to-head with the biggest Hollywood titles, and the best part of this news is that these movies were made on a fraction of a typical big Hollywood-style budget. According to a few sources, it is reported that the Demon Slayer movie cost around $20 million, while Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc was produced for around $4 million.

These numbers are significantly less in comparison to major American films, where some have exceeded $100 million in production costs. Moreover, fans have pointed out that both of these films have managed to outshine many of those “Hollywood slop” releases and voiced this all over social media.

However, without dampening this achievement, it is important to talk about the other side of this news. While the industry dominating the global box office is a victory for the art form, it also reveals an uncomfortable truth about the industry. Many animators are overworked, and studios have become increasingly profit-driven.

Studios like Ufotable and MAPPA are popular names known for consistently releasing quality series, but we need to talk about it, at what cost? There are multiple reports where a dark reality has come to light: animators often go through harsh working conditions. More often than not, they are subjected to limited pay, and this scenario has become far too common.

If the global rise of this genre continues, sustainability must follow success. Because it is not only important to celebrate these milestones and enjoy anime being described as mainstream, there is also the fear that studios might change the way they release new titles.

For instance, they may begin prioritizing commercial appeal over creative storytelling. Fans who have been watching anime for years have started to feel that while it is great that anime now has global popularity, there is a downside to it. They do not want every show to become just another generic shonen series.

The double-edged sword of the popularity of anime

This newfound popularity could end up going in two ways. The hopeful path that production houses could take is realizing that viewers want more than just flashy animations. Fans would actually enjoy a meaningful series with a good story over getting just substance. Quality animation is enjoyable, but if it is not backed by a story that has the potential to hook its audience, it will become boring real soon.

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There is now a high chance that we might see studios investing more in projects with emotional depth, like Great Teacher Onizuka or Cowboy Bebop, classics that thrived on heart, not just hype.

On the other hand, with this newfound acclaim, there is also a good chance that companies known for producing anime will be tempted to continue chasing global profits. This could lead to formulaic storytelling, where studios mass-produce action-heavy anime films that look amazing but lack soul. It’s a fragile balance, and the genre’s future depends on how creators navigate through it.

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