FilmOne Entertainment has set a new milestone for anime in West Africa. The company’s release of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has become the region’s highest-grossing anime opening, earning ₦82 million (≈ US$54,800) during its debut weekend across major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Ibadan, and Benin.
The movie is the first installment of a trilogy adapting the popular “Infinity Castle” arc from the Demon Slayer manga. In Nigeria, it outperformed every other film during its September 12-14 opening weekend, securing the number one spot at the box office.
Growing Anime Culture in Nigeria
To mark the historic debut, FilmOne and Filmhouse Group hosted a lively community watch party at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX Lekki. The event drew large crowds and highlighted the rapid rise of anime culture in Nigeria.
Executives from FilmOne praised the response. Ladun Awobokun, the company’s Chief Content Officer, emphasized that diversifying cinema offerings beyond Nollywood and Hollywood titles is a major focus. He noted that anime’s success proves audiences are eager for a wider variety of stories.
Anime films have been steadily building momentum in Nigeria. Titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Spy x Family Code: White, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero have already laid the foundation for mainstream success. With Demon Slayer’s record-breaking performance, more distributors and cinemas may now view anime as a powerful growth category in West Africa’s entertainment market.
FilmOne’s achievement signals more than just a single box office record. It points to a shift in viewing trends, showing how anime is no longer a niche interest but a cultural force with significant commercial potential across the region.
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