In an interview with Pop Verse, Mitchel Berger, who oversees theatrical releases at Crunchyroll, talked about the success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie and at the same time warned fans that the film won’t be available to stream in 2025.
Go see [Demon Slayer Infinity Castle] in the theater because the theater is the only place you’re going to be able to see this film in 2025.
Berger’s statement has made it clear that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie will not be released on Crunchyroll before 2026. Even so, the date remains unconfirmed, and Crunchyroll might delay the movie’s streaming even more.
Crunchyroll’s Update on Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Streaming Status Stings
The comment made by Crunchyroll’s executive has made it clear that the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie won’t receive streaming access until sometime in 2026. If they stick to the patterns of the past releases, the film is likely to be available to stream in the first quarter of 2026.
Still, it displays a stark difference from the usual 90-day theatrical release window that other anime movies have enjoyed. It might be a deliberate strategy to milk the movie for what it’s worth so that every last ticket sale can be counted in. The movie has had a bombshell run so far, and it is expected to continue attracting a large audience.
Theaters are buzzing, presales are hitting the roof, and the box office numbers are seeing new highs every day. Infinity Castle has already become the second-highest-grossing movie in Japan, and is placed right after Mugen Train. There is a huge chance that it might break the franchise’s own record in one fell swoop. However, for those who cannot afford the tickets or visit theaters, this update might be akin to a gut punch.
Delay in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s OTT Licensing May Hurt Its Future
Of course, watching the movie on the big screen is a magic in and of itself. However, not everyone can watch it in theaters. Crunchyroll might be betting on the synergy of fans to profit from the movie and keep seats filled for as long as possible. Yet, streaming culture has only grown in recent years, and people prefer to watch movies or series on a whim instead of being tied down to a theater-only mandate.
Not everyone can afford the exorbitant ticket prices or can access a theater. There are plenty of international fans, those with accessibility issues or people with busy schedules, who patiently wait for the movie to be released on OTT platforms. However, if the movie is released after too long a delay on streaming services, then the hype would already be over. The conversation might go dead by then, which will eventually affect the numbers of the second movie.
Let’s hope that Crunchyroll quickens the process of making the movie available for streaming. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has become a cultural juggernaut and is earning huge numbers, and at the same time, there is a huge demand to stream it. The delay to 2026 might boost the box office numbers in the short term, but it risks alienating the anime community in the long term.
Here is a table with the earnings and records of the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie:
What do you think about Crunchyroll’s step? Do you think it was a necessary one? Let us know in the comments below.
Demon Slayer anime is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
