Earlier this month, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan triggered an unexpected backlash that has reverberated across the anime world.
Within days, distributors in the Chinese mainland paused the release of two high-profile films—Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work—and shelved all other pending Japanese anime projects slated for the market.
Despite a record-setting start on November 14 for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinite Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, ticket sales plunged sharply after the controversy, wiping out early gains.
This downturn marks a stark reversal for Japanese animation, which had been riding a wave of success in the Chinese mainland. Earlier in 2025, hits like Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved and Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time delivered solid box office results, boosting confidence among studios and fans alike.
Broader Impact
- Halted theatrical runs have stalled derivative sales and commercial collaborations
- Planned theme exhibitions in major Chinese mainland cities are postponed indefinitely
- Industry insiders warn of a slowdown in cross-border partnerships and licensing deals
For business and tech enthusiasts, this episode underscores how quickly geopolitics can reshape global markets. Thought leaders and changemakers will be monitoring the ripple effects on cultural exchange, while anime fans worldwide hope for a swift resolution.
As we look to the rest of 2025, the fate of Japanese anime in the Chinese mainland remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: in our interconnected era, headlines in politics can become box office headlines overnight.
Reference(s):
Sanae Takaichi's remarks crash Japan's anime box office in China
cgtn.com
