While some film industry officials have long eluded questions pertaining to artificial intelligence, Mitchel Berger, Executive VP, Global Commerce at Crunchyroll, took pride in anime being “built on artistry, craft, and human creativity.” The world’s biggest anime library’s top exec exclusively told the Financial Express, “While AI is a topic of conversation across industries, our priority remains ensuring authenticity and preserving the soul of anime. Technology can be a tool to enhance efficiency, but storytelling and artistry are irreplaceable.”

Further assuaging fears of fans who may be worried about authenticity and originality being sacrificed amidst it all, he assured anime will continue to be made “with the same passion and integrity,” which it has long been loved for and associated with.

Demon Slayer Infinity Castle’s historic theatrical run

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle‘s sensational success at the box office had lifted it to a global total earning of $750 million (and counting) by early December, as per previosu reports. Standing tall as one of the highest grossing movie of 2025, the anime sensation now even ranks above DC and Marvel stalwarts like Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and consolidated its position as the highest grossing anime movie of all time (as of now).

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Additionally, the film has now also taken a step closer to snagging an Oscar after being deemed eligible for the 2026 Academy Awards, according to CBR.com, proving that anime releases are capable of achieving the unbelievable if given the chance to shine on the big screen. Even before the potential Oscar run, the film has already scripted history on the awards front, becoming the first ever ‘Shonen Jump’ creation to earn a Golden Globes nomination.

Earlier this month, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle was shortlisted in the Best Animated Motion Picture category against contenders KPop Demon Hunters, Zootopia 2, Elio, Arco, and Little Amelie or the Character of Rain. The only Japanese anime winner in the category was delivered two years ago when Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron snagged the title.

The OTT vs theatrical success debate

Despite being released by Crunchyroll (which has long been associated with its anime streaming identity), through Sony Pictures, Demon Slayer is one prime example that has helped the OTT side of things make the most of a bombastic theatrical success.

Even Mitchel Berger agrees to that. “There is nothing like watching your favourite series on the big screen, surrounded by fans who love the content just as much as you do,” the Crunchyroll exec told us.

When asked how such theatrical releases with streaming origins help build a healthy balance for content consumption even though not all of them end up becoming big box office hits like Demon Slayer or Haikyu, he said, “Because of the power of that shared experience, theatrical releases are an integral part of how fans collectively enjoy anime as a community worldwide.”

Berger added, “Crunchyroll’s focus is to provide a wholesome and holistic anime experience to all fans through content, both streaming and theatrical, games, music, merchandise, and events. The recent global success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle proves that anime belongs on the global stage.”

Movies like Infinity Castle undoubtedly show filmmakers and the brand there is room for more experimentation. Berger acquiesced, saying, “When an anime succeeds globally, it encourages more audiences to try other genres and titles. The effect is powerful, and Crunchyroll is proud to be the bridge bringing that diversity of stories to fans everywhere.”

Following up after Demon Slayer Season 4

Considering the series is based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s best-selling manga, there is a lot of pressure attached to page-to-screen adaptations staying true to the source material. In fact, die-hard fans often demand for the same. Demon Slayer Season 4 – Hashira Training Arc decided to carve its own path by introducing anime-exclusive episodes and feature, bringing original inclusions to the show that may not have been a part of the manga.

Speaking of Crunchyroll’s responsibilities in delivering “anime faithfully” to fans worldwide, Berger told us the brand “works hand in hand with our Japanese partners.”

“With Demon Slayer, ufotable has done an incredible job of adapting Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga into a series, and now, a major cinematic event with breathtaking animation that enhances the emotional storylines and amplifies the epic battles,” he went on. “As distributors, our role is to ensure the work of both Gotoge-san and ufotable is celebrated and brought to fans worldwide with the highest quality experience.”

A lot of fans were proud of these new introductions to the season, allowing them to get to know more about the characters as people. However, others were critical of how it didn’t necessarily bring out the same-old shounen adrenaline drive, and disparaged it as mere “filler” content. Despite the clashing views, Berger remained proud of the “passionate debate” the season sparked, especially since its was quintessentially what made “anime fandom so dynamic.”

Delving deeper into it, he noted, “Some fans love the character-driven approach, others missed the high-octane battles. For us, it’s a reminder of just how deeply audiences care. Our role is to ensure fans everywhere can experience these stories simultaneously and form their own connections to them.”

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Anime x Hollywood collaboration

Channing Tatum officially boarded the Demon Slayer English dub cast train with Infinity Castle as the voice of the father figure character Keizo. The Crunchyroll boss broke his silence on how important it is for such projects to bring on A-listers like that, especially considering in this case Demon Slayer in itself is now deemed a big brand.

Noting how proud the banner was to bring back the original English dub cast for their iconic roles, Berger credited them for “bringing the series to life for fans. ” At the same time, he shed light on Tatum’s addition to the band, revealing he “became a true fan of the series through watching it with his daughter.”

Berger also hailed the 21 Jump Street star’s inclusion in the team as a reflection “anime’s growing cultural resonance.” He added, “We see his involvement as a complement—an opportunity to bring new audiences into the world of Demon Slayer while still honouring the voices that fans already love.”

What’s next for Crunchyroll? A message to anime fans

Without giving away much about Crunchyroll’s future anime projects, Berger said the brand remained committed to bringing anime “closer to fans’ daily lives through content, events, and partnerships that deepen their connection to the medium.”

Their partnerships with global companies like Delta Airlines are just the beginning. The anime streamer’s top exec further affirmed, “You’ll see us continue to innovate with brand collaborations, fan experiences, and expanded content offerings. Fans can look forward to an exciting Fall and Winter slate of anime titles on Crunchyroll and upcoming Comic Cons in India.”

As it happens to be, the Delhi Comic Con took place in the nation’s capital last weekend from December 5 to 7, 2025.

Sending out a final message for those still doubting venturing into the anime world, Mitchel Berger concluded, “Anime has something for everyone—whether you love action, romance, comedy, sports, or slice-of-life. The fandom is one of the most welcoming in the world, and once you step in, you’ll discover not just incredible stories but a global community that celebrates creativity, resilience, and imagination.”

Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 1 has yet to release on a streaming platform.