The latest shifts in the Japanese box office charts reveal interesting movements for two popular anime franchises. Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback has slipped to #6, while Gekijōban Utano☆Princesama♪ TABOO NIGHT XXXX has climbed to #7. Here’s a breakdown of the films’ performance and what these changes signify.
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback’s Box Office Journey
Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback (Meitantei Conan: Sekigan no Flashback), the 28th film in the Detective Conan (Case Closed) franchise, has experienced a drop in rankings during its ninth weekend, falling from #4 to #6. Despite this, the film has achieved impressive milestones.
Key Stats:
- Ninth Weekend Earnings: 173,639,500 yen (approximately US$1.19 million)
- Cumulative Total: 13,977,340,200 yen (approximately US$96.28 million)
- Total Tickets Sold: 9.65 million
- Opening Weekend: The film opened at #1, earning 3,438,626,700 yen (about US$24.15 million) and selling 2,314,690 tickets in its first three days, setting a new opening-weekend record for the franchise.
- Release Date: April 18, 2025
- Screenings: IMAX, MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema, in addition to regular screenings.
- Number of Theaters at Opening: 522, a new record for the franchise.
- All-Time Ranking in Japan: #19
Performance Analysis:
Despite the recent drop, One-eyed Flashback has had a remarkable run. It quickly became the second top-grossing film in the Detective Conan anime film series, surpassing the 26th installment, Black Iron Submarine, which grossed 13.88 billion yen (US$95.87 million) in 2023. The film also became the fastest in the series to cross ¥10 billion, achieving this feat in just 19 days.
However, it’s important to note that Case Closed: The Million-dollar Pentagram, released in 2024, remains the highest-grossing film in the franchise, with 15.8 billion yen (about US$102 million).
Plot and Production:
- Setting: The snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture.
- Story: Features Kansuke Yamato of the Nagano Prefectural Police, who is involved in a mysterious incident.
- Director: Katsuya Shigehara (unit director of Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine)
- Writer: Takeharu Sakurai (various Detective Conan movies)
- Theme Song: “Twilight!!!” by King Gnu
Historical Context:
The Detective Conan film series began in 1997 with The Time-Bombed Skyscraper, which earned 1.1 billion yen (US$7.6 million). The franchise has consistently grown in popularity, breaking its own records in recent years.
Utano☆Princesama♪ TABOO NIGHT XXXX’s Ascent
Gekijōban Utano☆Princesama♪ TABOO NIGHT XXXX (read as TABOO NIGHT KISSES), the latest film in the Utano☆Princesama Maji LOVE series, has shown positive momentum, climbing from #8 to #7 in its sixth weekend.
Key Stats:
- Sixth Weekend Earnings: 126,907,680 yen (approximately US$874,200)
- Cumulative Total: 948,873,020 yen (approximately US$6.52 million)
- Opening Weekend: Debuted at #4, selling 92,000 tickets and earning 189,399,380 yen (approximately US$1.29 million) in its first three days.
- Release Date: May 9, 2025
- Number of Theaters: Opened in 135 theaters.
- Genre: Concert film
Performance Analysis:
The Utano☆Princesama films have a consistent track record of strong debuts. The first concert film, Uta no Prince-sama The Movie: Maji LOVE Kingdom, debuted at #6 in June 2019, while the second film, Uta no Prince-sama The Movie: Maji LOVE ST☆RISH TOUR, debuted at #7 in September 2022.
Production:
- Chief Director: Takeshi Furuta (Uta no Prince Sama Maji Love Kingdom, Visual Prison)
Other Notable Films
Several other films are also making waves in the Japanese box office:
- JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – A compilation film from the JUJUTSU KAISEN franchise, fell to #8 in its third weekend.
- Mieruko-chan (live-action adaptation) – After debuting at #7, it dropped to #10 in its second weekend.
What These Shifts Mean
The Japanese box office is a dynamic landscape, with rankings shifting based on new releases, continued popularity, and seasonal trends.
Detective Conan’s Staying Power: While One-eyed Flashback has dropped in rankings, its overall performance remains strong. The film’s impressive cumulative gross and ticket sales demonstrate the enduring popularity of the Detective Conan franchise.
Utano☆Princesama’s Steady Climb: TABOO NIGHT XXXX‘s rise in the ranks indicates a growing interest in the film.
In conclusion, the Japanese box office continues to showcase a vibrant mix of anime films. The latest rankings reflect the ever-changing tastes of moviegoers and the enduring appeal of long-running franchises like Detective Conan and Utano☆Princesama.
