Today we are going to talk about the big and exciting news coming for indian anime fans. There are two major announcements that are sure to delight fans across India.
Without further ado, let us explore these exciting updates.
What are the big and good news for indian anime fans?
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Movie’s 4K Screenings Open in India on June 13
Crunchyroll Streams Toku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Setsugetsuka~ Anime Film Trilogy in India
Let us discuss this news in detail.
01. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Movie’s 4K Screenings Open in India on June 13
Aniplex Of America and Crunchyroll announced on Monday the return of the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie for 4K screenings in Indian theaters, commencing on June 13.
These screenings will also feature an exclusive teaser preview of the highly anticipated new Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle film trilogy.
The Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie was initially released in Japan in October 2020 and subsequently in India in August 2021, approximately one year later.
The film achieved remarkable success in Japan, topping the box office for twelve consecutive weeks. It made history by becoming the first film to surpass the 40 billion yen milestone. Globally, it was one of the highest-grossing films of 2020 and became the first non-Hollywood or non-American film to lead the yearly worldwide box office since the inception of cinema over a century ago.
Furthermore, Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will screen the first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle film trilogy in theaters across India starting from September 12.
The first film of this new trilogy is set to premiere in Japan on July 18, playing on a record-breaking 443 screens throughout Japan, including IMAX presentations. Aniplex aims for an even wider international release for this new film, targeting over 150 countries and regions, surpassing the previous world tour of the franchise, which covered over 145 countries and regions.
Notably, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train garnered over ₹5.19 crore in India during its initial release, indicating a strong local fanbase.
02. Crunchyroll Streams Toku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Setsugetsuka~ Anime Film Trilogy in India
Crunchyroll India has added the Toku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Setsugetsuka~ anime film trilogy to its India server as of Thursday.
The trilogy’s first film, “Yuki no Maki” (Snow Story), premiered in Japan in May 2022. The second film, “Tsuki no Maki” (Moon Story), followed in July 2022, and the final film, “Hana no Maki” (Flower Story), was released in September of the same year.
Saru Hashino began a manga adaptation of the film trilogy on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ website in May 2023. The manga concluded with its third compiled volume, which was released on February 18.
The eight-episode Touken Ranbu Kai: Kyoden Moyuru Honnōji anime, an adaptation of the Touken Ranbu Kyoden Moyuru Honnōji stage play, was broadcast in Japan from April 2 to May 21, 2024. Crunchyroll started streaming this anime in India in April 2024. Additionally, a prequel story to this anime, titled Touken Ranbu Kai -Dо̄den Chikashi Haberau Monora-, was screened in Japan for three weeks starting on August 16.
The Touken Ranbu “sword personification training game” reimagines famous swords from Japanese history as bishōnen characters. Nitroplus is responsible for the character design and scenario. The game was first launched in Japan in January 2015.
The Touken Ranbu franchise has spawned the Katsugeki: Touken Ranbu television anime series and an upcoming anime film, as well as the Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru spin-off’s two anime series, the aforementioned anime film trilogy, and a compilation anime film. Furthermore, the franchise has inspired two live-action films, a series of stage musicals and stage plays, and various manga adaptations.
Why this is big and good news for indian anime fans
This news is significant for Indian anime enthusiasts for several reasons. Firstly, the 4K re-release of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train allows fans who may have missed its initial theatrical run, or those who wish to experience it again with enhanced visual quality, the opportunity to do so. The added bonus of an exclusive teaser for the upcoming Infinity Castle trilogy further amplifies the excitement, offering a sneak peek at what the future holds for this beloved franchise.
Secondly, the streaming availability of the Toku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Setsugetsuka~ film trilogy on Crunchyroll India broadens the accessibility of anime content for Indian viewers. It allows fans to enjoy these films from the comfort of their homes, adding to the growing library of anime available legally in India.
Moreover, the return of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train to Indian theaters marks a noteworthy moment. While Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama has seen re-releases, the consistent theatrical showcasing of popular contemporary anime films like Demon Slayer, and the anticipation for the Infinity Castle trilogy to also be screened widely in India starting September 12, signals a growing recognition and market for anime on the big screen in India. This trend indicates an increasing engagement of Indian audiences with anime beyond streaming platforms, suggesting a vibrant future for anime in Indian cinemas.
