by New details have been revealed for the highly anticipated film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Castle Arc Chapter 1 – Akaza Returns, which is scheduled for release on July 18, 2025. The announcement of the 15th round of theatrical admission bonuses has sparked major excitement among fans online.
From February 6 to February 19, moviegoers will receive a limited-edition item titled:
“Giyu Tomioka Birthday Replica Illustration by Character Designer Akira Matsushima.”
The square illustration (165mm × 165mm) was originally drawn to celebrate Giyu Tomioka’s birthday on February 8. The artwork features stunning detail from character designer Akira Matsushima, making it a highly desirable collectible for fans.
Fans React: “I Want a Shinobu Version Too!”
As soon as the bonus was announced, social media lit up with enthusiastic reactions:
- “I’ve been waiting for a Tomioka birthday bonus!”
- “The theaters should double their screens for this!”
- “Maybe we’ll get a Shinobu version next?”
- “I hope Tanjiro gets one too!”
Many fans are speculating that additional character birthday illustrations could be released in future distribution waves. Characters frequently mentioned include:
- Shinobu Kocho
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
Given the franchise’s history of multiple bonus campaigns, expectations are high that more collectible items may be announced.
Box Office Momentum Continues
The film has already made history at the Japanese box office. Within just three days of release, it grossed 5.52 billion yen, breaking three domestic records:
- Highest opening night revenue
- Highest first-day revenue
- Highest single-day earnings
The film is currently ranked second in domestic box office history, maintaining a pace that even surpassed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train through its first 143 days.
These numbers highlight the continued dominance of the Demon Slayer franchise both in Japan and globally.
What Is the Mugen Castle Arc About?
The Mugen Castle Arc trilogy depicts the climactic final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and their greatest enemy, Muzan Kibutsuji, along with the powerful Upper Rank demons.
Set inside the shifting labyrinth known as Infinity Castle, the story focuses on:
- Tanjiro’s confrontation with Akaza (Upper Rank Three)
- The Hashira’s life-or-death battles
- The culmination of long-running character arcs
For beginners, this arc represents the ultimate showdown of the series. For longtime fans, it delivers emotional payoffs built over years of storytelling.
About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from February 2016 to May 2020.
Set during the Taisho era, the story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy whose family is slaughtered by demons. After his sister Nezuko is transformed into a demon, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to find a cure and defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
The manga has sold over 220 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
Major Anime Adaptations Include:
- Tanjiro Kamado: Resolve Arc (2019)
- Mugen Train (2020)
- Entertainment District Arc (2021)
- Swordsmith Village Arc (2023)
- Hashira Training Arc (2024)
The franchise has expanded into stage plays, video games, merchandise collaborations, and global theatrical releases.
Will There Be More Limited Bonuses?
Given the massive popularity of character-focused merchandise and previous multi-stage distribution campaigns, it is highly possible that additional bonus items could be announced.
Fans are particularly hoping for:
- Birthday-themed illustrations for other Hashira
- Special colored shikishi boards
- Infinity Castle-themed artwork
- Limited clear files or mini art books
The strong box office performance suggests that promotional campaigns will likely continue to maintain momentum throughout the trilogy’s run.
Why Fans Are So Excited
The excitement is not just about collecting merchandise. For many viewers, these limited bonuses are:
- A way to celebrate their favorite characters
- A reason to rewatch the film multiple times
- A limited-edition memory tied to the theatrical experience
With Demon Slayer consistently breaking records and generating unprecedented fan engagement, expectations remain extremely high.
As the release period continues, all eyes are on whether the production committee will surprise fans again with new character bonuses. For now, Giyu Tomioka takes center stage but fans are already asking:
“Who’s next?”
