Latest Box Office Highlights: Detective Conan and Beyond
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Continues to Captivate Audiences
The twenty-eighth installment in the renowned Detective Conan series, titled Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback, experienced a slight drop in its box office ranking during its sixth weekend, falling from the top spot to second place. Despite this, the film remains a commercial success, selling approximately 255,000 tickets over the weekend and grossing around 376 million yen (roughly US$2.61 million) from Friday through Sunday. Overall, the movie has sold over 8.84 million tickets, accumulating a total revenue of approximately 12.8 billion yen (about US$89 million).
Initially debuting at number one in Japan, the film earned an impressive 3.44 billion yen (around US$24.15 million) within its first three days, with over 2.3 million tickets sold-setting a new record for the franchise’s opening weekend. Released on April 18, the film was showcased across 522 theaters nationwide, including premium formats such as IMAX, MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema. The theme song, titled “Twilight!!!,” is performed by the popular band King Gnu.
Directed by Katsuya Shigehara, known for Detective Conan: Kurogane no Submarine, and scripted by Takeharu Sakurai, the film continues the franchise’s tradition of high-quality storytelling. The movie’s widespread release and innovative presentation methods underscore its significance as a milestone in the series’ history.
JoJo’s Spin-off Movie: “At a Confessional” Draws Attention
The live-action adaptation of Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure spin-off manga, Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe: At a Confessional, debuted at number four in the box office, selling approximately 177,000 tickets and earning about 260.7 million yen (roughly US$1.81 million) during its opening weekend. The film’s release on Friday marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time a live-action JoJo project was released in theaters.
Leading the cast is Issei Takahashi, reprising his role from the previous nine TV episodes and films, alongside Marie Itoyo, who returns to portray Kyoka Izumi. The film was directed by Kazutaka Watanabe, with a screenplay co-written by Watanabe and the original manga creator, Hirohiko Araki. The soundtrack was composed by Yuki Munakata, and costume design was handled by Isao Tsuge, ensuring a faithful adaptation of the manga’s distinctive aesthetic. The film was distributed by ASMIK Ace, emphasizing its broad reach across Japanese theaters.
Biographical Drama: “Easy Canvas” Struggles to Maintain Momentum
Based on Akiko Higashimura’s semi-autobiographical manga Easy Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey, the live-action film experienced a slight decline in its second weekend, dropping from fourth to fifth place. Despite this, it managed to sell over 125,400 tickets and grossed approximately 404.8 million yen (around US$2.80 million) since its release on May 16. The film stars Mei Nagano as high school art student Akiko and Yō Ōizumi as her art instructor, Hidaka.
Directed by Kazuaki Seki, known for After School Midnighters and FLCL: Grunge, the film’s screenplay was co-written by Seki and Higashimura herself. The musical score was composed by Yuki Munakata, adding emotional depth to the narrative. The film’s reception highlights the enduring appeal of Higashimura’s storytelling, even as it faces stiff competition at the box office.
Fantasy and Mythology Films: New Releases Make a Splash
Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World, a provocative new film from the controversial organization Elated Science, opened at number six, earning approximately 117.7 million yen (about US$817,600) in its first three days. The film explores themes of spirituality and science, with Ryuho Okawa credited as the executive producer and creator. Directed by Isamu Imakake, known for The Mystical Guidelines, the movie features a theme song titled “Dragon Heart,” performed by Kouta.
The cast includes Yūsuke Kobayashi as Ryuusuke and Chinatsu Hirose as Tomomi, with notable voice actors such as Shigeru Chiba, Shunsuke Takeuchi, and Shinichirō Miki contributing to the ensemble. The film’s provocative content and unique narrative approach have sparked discussions across social media and industry circles alike.
Music and Animation: Popular Franchises Continue to Thrive
The animated musical Gekijōban Utano☆Princesama♪ TABOO NIGHT XXXX experienced a slight decline, dropping from sixth to seventh place in its third weekend. It earned approximately 137 million yen (US$952,300) over the weekend, bringing its total gross to over 516 million yen (US$3.58 million). The film, which debuted at number four, opened in Japan on May 9, with 92,000 tickets sold during its initial three days.
Directed by Takeshi Furuta, known for Uta no Prince Sama Maji LOVE, and featuring character designs by Chinatsu Kurahana, the film maintains the franchise’s popularity among fans. The production involved a team of experienced creators, including CG supervisor Hiroshi Nakajima and music composer Maki Fujioka, ensuring high-quality animation and storytelling.
Children’s Films and Family Entertainment
Tabekko Dōbutsu THE MOVIE, inspired by the popular animal-shaped butter biscuits, saw a modest decline, falling from seventh to tenth place in its fourth weekend. Released on May 1, the film earned approximately 176.1 million yen (US$1.22 million) in its first four days. Directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo, known for After School Midnighters and FLCL: Grunge, the film features a musical score by Gin Hashiba and was produced by Marza Animation Planet.
The film’s charming premise and engaging animation have made it a favorite among young audiences, with the film’s theme song “Would You Like One?” performed by Travis Japan adding to its appeal.
Ongoing Success of Long-Running Franchises
The Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Fight- movie continues to perform strongly, earning over 65 million yen (approximately US$456,100) during its 14th weekend, with a total gross surpassing 1.65 billion yen (about US$11.50 million). Meanwhile, the stage adaptation of the Uta no Prince Sama franchise, Mankai Stage A3! Four Seasons Live 2024, maintained its top position in mini-theater rankings during its second weekend, demonstrating the enduring popularity of live performances in Japan.
Summary and Industry Insights
These recent box office results highlight the diversity and resilience of Japan’s entertainment industry. From blockbuster anime and live-action adaptations to family-friendly animations and stage productions, the Japanese market continues to thrive, driven by innovative storytelling and dedicated fanbases. Industry sources such as Kōgyō Tsūshin and comScore report that these trends are expected to persist, with new releases poised to capture audience interest in the coming months.
Sources: Kōgyō Tsūshin, comScore via KOFIC
