New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- The unprecedented success of the Japanese animated dark fantasy film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba-Infinity Castle underscores India's growing appetite for the genre, driven largely by Gen Z audiences.

The film has already crossed Rs.65 crore in box-office collections in the country, leaving past anime successes, such as Suzume ( Rs.10 crore) and Jujutsu Kaisen ( Rs.9 crore), far behind.

Demon Slayer's success proves that what was once a niche, subcultural interest has entered the mainstream-powered by sustained exposure and sharper marketing.

To be sure, Japanese anime has built a loyal TV fan base in the country since the early 2000s.

Devang Sampat, managing director of Cinepolis India, said the traction come...