Box Office Powerhouses: Kimetsu no Yaiba Soars While Shin-chan Faces New Challenges
The cinema landscape has been electrified by two major anime releases, each carving out unique paths in Japan’s box office. Diving into this fascinating rivalry, we explore the trends and surprises both franchises have brought to the forefront.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
The film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, , directed by Akira Sairai, has established itself as a monumental success amidst the anime universe. The first installment in a trilogy, Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle topped the charts again, smashing previous records and securing its place at the zenith.
In its fifth full weekend, the movie pulled in an astounding 1,218,000 tickets and raked in 1,874,709,900 yen—roughly US$12.71 million. By the end of its 31 days on the big screen, it tallied a cumulative ticket sale of 18,272,941 and grossed 25,782,656,600 yen, equivalent to US$174.9 million. This dizzying pace has already outpaced iconic films and is rapidly approaching an unprecedented milestone.
The film’s race up the charts was nothing short of spectacular, surpassing revered titles like Makoto Shinkai’s ” your name.” and even Disney’s “Frozen”. By its 17-day mark, it had already secured a top-10 position in Japan’s all-time highest-grossing films.
A deep dive into its creative team reveals Haruo Sotozaki handling the directorial reins, with ufotable’s strong presence never leaving the screenplays. The film features influential tracks from Aimer, who performs “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”), and LiSA, who shines with “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”).
Crayon Shin-chan’s Rocky Road
In the same breath, we take a look at Eiga Crayon Shin-chan Chō Karei! Shakunetsu no Kasukabe Dancers. This latest film in the long-standing series, heralding its 32nd 2D animated foray, had a notably less successful second week. The movie slipped from the fourth spot to fifth, raking in 246,000 tickets and about US$2.09 million over the weekend.
Starting strong, the film brought in 363,000 tickets and earned 450,283,700 yen (about US$3.07 million) during its first three days. The excitement sustained through the Mountain Day holiday, as the film sold 516,000 tickets by the fourth day. However, this momentum couldn’t be maintained in the following weeks.
The unique flair of this outing includes a setting in India, making it the first film in the Crayon Shin-chan franchise to do so, catering to its significant fanbase there. Notably, Kento Kaku takes on the role of Wolf, a charismatic, dancing, and singing Indian billionaire. Veteran director Masakazu Hashimoto, known for previous films in the series, and writer Kimiko Ueno steered the creative aspects of this production.
The dynamic and captivating exploits of both these films make for a thrilling spectacle in Japan’s anime scene. As Demon Slayer ascends to untold heights, the enduring legacy of Crayon Shin-chan endures, reminding fans why it remains a beloved staple in Japanese animation.
News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com
