By
Casandra Ronning
Published 22 minutes ago
Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.
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For many fans, Naruto defined an era of animation, influencing generations of fans and creators alike. With its masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, thrilling action, and heartfelt moments, the series rose to become one of the most popular and influential shōnen franchises with a legacy that many still look to today for inspiration.
In the years since, the anime landscape has evolved and expanded its scope, welcoming countless new stories and engaging storylines. Among them is Demon Slayer, a modern phenomenon that stands out among anime for its record-breaking success and impact on the anime industry and fans around the world. Its rise is nothing short of amazing, making it Naruto’s perfect heir.
Demon Slayer Shattered Global Records and Rewrote Anime History
The release of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 reshaped the global box office by proving anime is no longer a niche interest, but a growing dominating force in pop culture. Grossing an astonishing $730 million worldwide, the film has placed anime on a higher pedestal, capturing mainstream attention, including that of Hollywood itself.
Infinity Castle became the highest-grossing Japanese film in history while also landing a place as the fifth-highest earning film in 2025 so far, a milestone that surpassed both its predecessor Mugen Train as well as Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed Spirited Away.
In North America, the film broke records by becoming the highest-grossing international release and securing the top spot on its opening weekend. Infinity Castle earned more in one day than the entire opening weekend of Pokémon: The First Movie, which held the title of the highest-grossing anime film in North America for more than two decades.
Demon Slayer Is a Once-In-A-Generation Hit
The scale of Demon Slayer’s success has earned its place among some of anime’s most influential modern titles. Both longtime anime fans and newcomers have recognized the series for its thrilling blend of action, heart, and perseverance, and recently at Anime Pasadena, Screen Rant had the opportunity to connect with Zach Aguilar, the English voice of Tanjiro Kamado, who shared:
“I think Demon Slayer has something for everyone. The animation is stunning, the music is incredible, and the characters are so distinct and colorful.
But beyond that, the story itself is deeply human. Tanjiro’s journey — his kindness, his selflessness, his determination to protect those he loves — it’s something anyone can relate to.
He’s a hero who represents compassion and perseverance. And coming to conventions like this, meeting fans of all ages who say how much the show means to them — it’s amazing. It’s bringing people together through empathy, which I think is really special.” –Zach Aguilar
Aguilar’s perspective on how the series resonates across age groups and backgrounds is reflected in the series’ fan base, with many drawn to the series for more than its breathtaking animation, instead finding the humanization of its characters, including the villains, something worthwhile. Demon Slayer’s ability to reach fans across generations helped propel the franchise into worldwide success.
These factors allowed the anime to become a once-in-a-generation hit. Tanjiro, as a character driven by determination and empathy, leaves behind powerful and emotionally resonant messages and leads to moving narratives grounded in compassion. Audiences have grown to feel a sense of unity around Demon Slayer’s themes, giving the series a moving, memorable presence in modern entertainment.
Demon Slayer Stands Out As The New Generation’s Naruto
As a prominent modern series, many fans have cited Demon Slayer as their gateway into the world of anime. Young viewers, along with those discovering the medium for the first time, have found that the series was the starting point that inspired them to explore more titles in the same way Naruto had for the previous generation.
For many, it was Naruto rather than Demon Slayer that served as the spark that opened the door to anime at large. With its thrilling arcs, powerful themes, and beloved characters, Naruto was the series that inspired countless fans and creators alike. Its legacy shaped how global audiences experienced anime throughout the early 2000s and beyond.
“Honestly, I think about it all the time when fans tell me, ‘Demon Slayer was my first anime.’
That blows my mind, because for me growing up, Naruto was that show — the one that opened the door to anime. And now, Demon Slayer is doing that for a whole new generation.
That’s such a huge honor and responsibility. I just hope the series’ message — compassion, empathy, resilience — continues to resonate for years to come.
It’s easy to make a flashy show with cool fights. But Demon Slayer goes deeper. It reminds us to hold onto our humanity, even when life gets hard. And I think that’s why it’ll be remembered for a long time.” –Zach Aguilar
Stepping into its predecessors’ footsteps, Demon Slayer has become a popular gateway series. In a way, it has become a generational handoff, continuing to expand global awareness for anime and encouraging newcomers to explore the vast anime landscape. With its touching themes and blend of action and empathy, the series has left a mark on fans and the industry itself.
Naruto’s Legacy Lives on Through Demon Slayer
Naruto grinning with his hands behind his back and his eyes closed.
Naruto will forever remain a pillar of anime history as a series whose influence stretches far beyond its original run. From its characters to its storyline, the series is packed full of iconic moments that defined an entire era. It played a role in popularizing the medium and shaping how anime was received by audiences around the world.
The series’ cultural impact is firmly secured and continues to be preserved and shared through countless loyal fans, creators, and new narratives that were inspired by Naruto and Masashi Kishimoto. It became a foundation for many while also setting new expectations for emotionally driven action anime, raising the standard for the generations to come.
Demon Slayer has stepped up into that space, becoming what Naruto was for a new generation. Its focus on moral clarity, personal sacrifice, and compassionate heroism honors the lessons that series before it offered while taking a bold, fresh approach to storytelling. By carrying that forward, Demon Slayer has earned its place alongside anime giants.
With anime bigger than ever, titles like Demon Slayer become staples of the anime industry. Like the series that reigned before it, Demon Slayer delivered stunning action and emotionally resonant moments that inspire audiences worldwide. Naruto was a monumental touchstone for an entire generation of fans, and now Demon Slayer has taken up the mantle as the perfect successor.
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) anime poster
Demon Slayer
Created by
Koyoharu Gotouge
First Film
Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
Latest Film
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training
First TV Show
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Latest TV Show
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
First Episode Air Date
April 6, 2019
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
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Naruto (2002) TV Show Poster
Naruto
First Film
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
Latest Film
Boruto: Naruto the Movie
First TV Show
Naruto
Latest TV Show
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
First Episode Air Date
October 3, 2002
Cast
Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
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Anime
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Demon Slayer - Franchise
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