Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has reached 220 million copies sold worldwide! That’s awesome, but not in the top 5. Let’s break it down, look back and see what’s next for Tanjiro and friends.
The Numbers and the Milestone
Let’s simplify it. 164 million in Japan, 56 million in other countries including digital. That’s a lot for a show that ran from 2016 to 2020! Made by Koyoharu Gotouge, this 23 volume series has won over many fans worldwide with its heartwarming stories and beautiful art. Fans are celebrating all over social media and it’s easy to see why.
Here’s the crazy part: even with that many, Demon Slayer is still not in the top 5. Those spots are taken by One Piece, Doraemon, Golgo 13, Case Closed and Dragon Ball. Naruto is in 6th place with 250 million. Demon Slayer hasn’t reached the top yet but 220 million is a lot. It shows how much the series has affected people around the world in just a few years.
The Story That Stole Our Hearts
So you’re new to the series? Demon Slayer is about a teenage boy named Tanjiro Kamado. A terrible event happens to his family and he becomes a Demon Slayer. His sister Nezuko has turned into a half-demon. He travels with her while he looks for a way to turn her back into a human. The story is full of action, feels and memorable characters all set in a detailed world. Published in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2016 to 2020, the 23 volumes tells a complete and satisfying story that connected with millions of readers.
The Franchise’s Expansion
Demon Slayer’s popularity isn’t just in the manga. The anime aired from 2019 to 2024 and brought Tanjiro’s story to life with beautiful animation. The franchise has video games and 5 animated movies with 2 more coming soon. The new movie, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, was released in Japanese theaters on July 18 and is getting great reviews. This movie is the first of 3 movies that will conclude the anime’s story and fans are hyped!
Crunchyroll’s president, Rahul Purini, recently said these movies are really important. He said they’re the last part of the story and fans need to watch them in theaters to complete the journey. The first movie comes out in North America this September but the release dates for the next 2 are still a secret.
