Earlier this month, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle became China’s highest-grossing foreign film of the year, drawing fans in cosplay to cinemas in Guangzhou and highlighting the global rise of Japanese anime. However, escalating tensions between Japan and China over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan threaten to disrupt anime’s momentum in China. The China Film Administration has frozen approvals for new Japanese films and postponed at least six previously approved titles, while over 20 Japanese music and comedy events were canceled. Films affected include Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper and the latest Crayon Shin-chan movie.
The situation echoes South Korea’s entertainment boycott nearly a decade ago, though Japanese anime previously benefitted from the gap left by Korean content. Despite the dispute, Demon Slayer grossed $49.9 million in its opening weekend in China, maintaining strong popularity. Smaller concerts and events have faced cancellations, though major shows continue, and top Japanese films remain in theaters. Analysts note Beijing’s actions may be symbolic, aiming to signal disapproval rather than fully block Japanese entertainment, as fan demand and global sales remain significant.
