Sony PicturesDemon Slayer: Infinity Castle has continued to smash all kinds of box office records since landing in North American theaters, a feat that’s made all the more impressive by the fact that it’s rated R in the US.
The new movie is the first of a new Demon Slayer film trilogy based on the Infinity Castle arc of the Kimetsu no Yaiba manga series, picking up after Season 4 of the anime series with Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps’ climactic battle against Muzan Kibutsuji.
Infinity Castle had already enjoyed a historic run at the Japanese box office, and since landing in US theaters on September 12, its global tally has risen to more than $353 million – and that’s before popcorn bucket sales are factored in.
Alongside the box office, the film has received a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and audiences alike. But if you were hoping to bring your kids along for the ride, you might want to check out Infinity Castle’s age rating.
Why is Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle rated R?
Despite its animated format, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has been rated R in the US by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) due to “bloody violence throughout.”
The age rating is above PG-13 but below NC-17, and stands for “Restricted: Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.” The MPA recommends parents “learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.”
This shouldn’t be that surprising – the Demon Slayer anime series varies from region to region, but generally it’s considered suitable for 14-15+ due to its graphic violence and gore.
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On Common Sense Media’s parents’ guide, it recommends Infinity Castle viewers be 14+, citing “gruesome injuries and deaths.”
“During these battles, people confront traumatic memories and the truth of their pasts,” it adds. “Topics explored include suicide, murder, abuse, poverty, chronic illness, and inequality. Cursing is semi-frequent but limited to ‘god dammit,’ ‘bastard,’ ‘hell,’ and ‘damn.’”
Age rating sparks debate
Sony/CrunchyrollThe age rating has sparked a conversation online, with some agreeing with the classification, others questioning it, and one even saying that it hasn’t made a difference.
“Demon Slayer rated R in America and PG-13 family movie in Japan! Went to first movie and was full of kids who didn’t give a crap it’s R,” they wrote on Reddit.
“Demon slayer is R? I did not expect that (granted I know nothing about the movie but still),” said another, but a third replied, “There’s a lot of gore in Demon Slayer.” A fourth chimed in, “Mugen Train was rated R, so this isn’t surprising at all.”
One compared it to Kpop Demon Hunters, writing, “Granted, I know Kpop Demon Hunters is basically PG but that has a very different tone from Demon Slayer.”
However, another chimed in, “It’s still a cartoon for youngsters basically, in Japan it’s for 12 year olds and up. It’s more about USA movie sensibilities, in Mexico it will probably be classified for 15 year olds.”
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is in cinemas now. You can also read about the Demon Slayer cosplayer who had a run-in with police, why Channing Tatum joined the English voiceover cast, and check out the best anime on Crunchyroll.