Anime never used to be cool. Once the domain of dusty bargain bins, dubious tape traders, and late-night Adult Swim marathons, anime was something always spoken about in hushed tones, the sort of illicit interest that would generate raised eyebrows or dirty looks in normal company.
Not anymore. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is now the undisputed #1 movie in the world and marks a real sea change, even compared to its predecessor Mugen Train grossing half a billion dollars and becoming 2020's biggest movie in a cinematic landscape then-ravaged by COVID. So, is this it? Is anime now de rigueur in the same way superhero movies once were, and video game adaptations have become? It sure seems that way – but it's been a long road to get there.
