Chiikawa Reclaims Top Spot in Japan
Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu, the debut anime film based on Nagano's beloved Chiikawa manga, has made a remarkable return to the number one position at the Japanese box office in its twelfth weekend. The film soared from its previous #4 ranking, demonstrating incredible staying power and audience engagement. From Friday to Sunday, Chiikawa sold an impressive 375,000 tickets, generating 562,647,900 yen, approximately US$3.56 million.
This strong performance further solidifies Chiikawa's status as a major cinematic success. The film has now accumulated a staggering 12.29 million tickets sold and a cumulative total of 17,807,643,600 yen, which is roughly US$112 million. Currently, Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu holds the title of the biggest film in Japan for the year and ranks 12th in Japan's all-time box office history. The film initially opened on July 24, securing the #1 spot in its opening weekend with 990 million yen on its first day and 2,240,333,500 yen in its first three days.
Adding to its enduring appeal, the film has offered various special screenings, including 4DX showings that began on September 5. Unique one-day-only cheering screenings captivated audiences on September 11, followed by interactive penlight screenings on September 23. The movie adapts the popular “Siren Arc” or “Island Arc” from Nagano's manga, which was serialized on X (formerly Twitter) between March and November 2023. Nagano contributed to the original story and penned the film's script. Kei Oikawa directed the film at Cygames Pictures, with production managed by QTORY inc. and distribution handled by TOHO.
Other Anime Highlights and Box Office Movements
While a live-action Resident Evil reboot secured the #2 spot in its opening weekend, earning 626,567,150 yen over three days, the strong performance of Chiikawa ensured it reclaimed its position at the top. The fifth installment in the Girls und Panzer das Finale film series also made its debut, landing at #5. This latest chapter in the popular tank-fighting franchise earned 267,301,400 yen in its first three days. The film, which premiered on October 9, is offering a premium viewing experience, being the first in the series to screen in Dolby Cinema, alongside Dolby Atmos, 4DX, and MX4D formats. Fans can look forward to the continuation of Ōarai Girls High School's journey as they face St. Gloriana Girls' College in the Winter Continuous Track Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Eiga Meitantei Precure! Fushigi na Niwa to Futari no Himitsu, the film for the 23rd main anime entry in the Precure franchise, saw a slight drop from #5 to #9 in its fourth weekend. Since its September 18 opening, the film has sold 606,000 tickets and earned 746 million yen in its first six days. The film features original characters voiced by Akari Kitō as Karin, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Alan, and Kōki Uchiyama as Rain. Hanako Ueda directed the film, with Yoshimi Narita writing the script. Music was composed by Erika Fukasawa and Misaki Umase, and Emiko Miyamoto designed the characters and served as chief animation director. The ending theme song, “FIRST PRISM,” is performed by Yūka Masui and Chihaya Yoshitake, with Ami Ishii performing the insert song “First Step.”
Madoka Magica Continues Its Magical Run
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising, the eagerly awaited sequel to Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion, remained in the top ten, placing at #10 in its seventh weekend. The film added 75,584,180 yen to its impressive total from Friday to Sunday. Its cumulative box office earnings now stand at a substantial 2,494,107,540 yen, which translates to approximately US$15.81 million. The film celebrated its opening on August 28 with simultaneous IMAX screenings in Japan, and it garnered 939,647,100 yen in its first three days.
The film boasts a returning dream team, with Yukihiro Miyamoto directing and original creators Magica Quartet at the helm. Key staff members from the beloved original series and previous films have returned, including chief director Akiyuki Simbo, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, original character designer Ume Aoki, and composer Yuki Kajiura. Animation character designer Junichirō Taniguchi, alternate space designer Gekidan Inu Curry, and animation studio SHAFT also contributed their talents. The cast introduces new magical girls, with Shion Wakayama voicing Shichōka and Tomoyo Kurosawa as Selma Therese, adding fresh dimensions to the Madoka Magica universe.
