Team GNI
From Kaiju No. 8 to Demon Slayer, a Blockbuster Lineup Awaits Fans
MUMBAI — India’s anime fandom, now over 53 million strong, is gearing up for an unprecedented year of cinematic releases, with a slate of high-profile anime films hitting theaters throughout 2025. From action-packed adventures like Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon to the emotional climax of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the lineup promises to cater to diverse tastes, cementing anime’s growing mainstream appeal in the country.
The year kicked off with Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon, which premiered on April 11, 2025, distributed by Crunchyroll and PVR INOX Pictures. This omnibus film, recapping the first season of the hit series alongside a new episode, “Hoshina’s Day Off,” thrilled fans with Kafka Hibino’s monster-battling heroics. “Seeing Kaiju No. 8 on the big screen was unreal,” said Arjun Rao, a 22-year-old fan from Hyderabad. “The action pops in a theater.” The film’s opening weekend drew thousands, reflecting India’s appetite for anime’s larger-than-life visuals.
Next up is Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary, set for May 9, 2025. Marking the Crayon Shin-chan franchise’s theatrical debut in India, this heartwarming tale follows Shinnosuke Nohara and his family as they protect a baby dinosaur named Nana from a rampaging threat. Distributed by PVR INOX Pictures in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Japanese with English subtitles, the film taps into Shin-chan’s massive popularity, with over 10 million TV viewers tuning in weekly on Hungama TV. “Shin-chan’s humor feels like home,” said Priya Menon, a Mumbai-based parent attending with her kids.
On May 30, Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye brings the first three episodes of the series’ second season to theaters, complete with an exclusive interview with co-directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora. This supernatural romp, blending sci-fi and comedy, has fans buzzing after its first season’s global success on Netflix. Social media posts on X show Indian viewers hyped for Momo and Okarun’s quirky battles, with #DandadanIndia trending in early April.
The heavy hitters arrive in September. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, releasing on September 12, launches the first of a trilogy adapting the manga’s climactic arc. Tanjiro Kamado and the Hashira face Muzan Kibutsuji in a dimension-shifting fortress, promising jaw-dropping animation from ufotable. With Demon Slayer’s previous film, Mugen Train, grossing ₹10 crore in India, expectations are sky-high. “This is Tanjiro’s final fight—I’m ready to cry,” said Anjali Sharma, a 19-year-old cosplayer from Delhi.
A week later, on September 26, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc introduces the enigmatic Reze to Denji’s chaotic world of Devil Hunters. Adapting chapters 39-53 of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga, the film by MAPPA continues the anime’s first season with a mix of gore, romance, and dark humor. While its Japan release is confirmed for September 19, Indian fans are thrilled at the quick turnaround, with pre-booking already active at select theaters. “Denji and Reze’s story is wild,” said Vikram Patel, a Bengaluru-based manga reader. “MAPPA’s visuals will slay on the big screen.”
Closing the year, Shin-chan: The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers arrives during Diwali in October 2025. Set in India and featuring Shinnosuke in a dance-fueled adventure, this 32nd Crayon Shin-chan film is poised to resonate culturally, with a plot involving a mysterious backpack and a trip to a fictional Indian city, Mushibai. “A Shin-chan movie set in India feels so special,” said Riya Gupta, a 25-year-old fan from Chennai. Its festive release aims to draw families, leveraging the holiday season’s box-office potential.
India’s anime market, valued at ₹500 crore, has seen theatrical releases grow from niche events to major draws, with Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 setting benchmarks. Yet, challenges persist—limited screenings in smaller cities and high ticket prices could curb accessibility. “The demand is there, but we need wider distribution,” said Dr. Kiran Desai, a media scholar at Mumbai University. Still, with PVR INOX and Crunchyroll expanding their reach, 2025’s lineup signals a golden era for Indian anime fans, promising shared moments of awe and emotion in theaters nationwide.
Source: PVR INOX Pictures Press Release, Crunchyroll India Announcements, Interview with Dr. Kiran Desai, Financial Express Entertainment Desk
