The anime feature Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has continued its dominant run at the Japanese box office, securing the #1 spot for an impressive fifth consecutive weekend. Meanwhile, the live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters per Second has maintained its strong performance, holding steady at #2 in its second weekend.
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s Unyielding Box Office Reign
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc showcased its enduring popularity by earning 582 million yen (approximately US$3.86 million) on 375,000 admissions during its fifth weekend, a mere 9.5% drop from the previous week. Since its release on September 19, the film has accumulated a staggering domestic total of 6.5 billion yen (US$43.1 million) from 4.26 million admissions in Japan. This performance contributes to a significant trend, as anime films have collectively held the top position at the Japanese box office for 14 consecutive weekends, starting from July 22.
International Success and Critical Reception
Beyond Japan, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has also achieved considerable international success. As of October 12, Sony Pictures Entertainment reported the film had surpassed US$50 million worldwide, with a current international total of US$59 million, including its Japanese earnings. The movie has opened in 13 countries across Asia and reigned over the South Korean box office for two consecutive weekends in mid-October. In South Korea alone, the film had grossed US$14.27 million from 1.9 million admissions by mid-October, becoming the country’s 13th most-attended film of the year. The film’s opening weekend in Japan saw it sell over 807,000 tickets, generating ¥1.251 billion (US$8.46 million), and it topped Filmarks’ first-day satisfaction ranking.
Live-Action 5 Centimeters per Second Maintains Strong Position
The live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s critically acclaimed 2007 anime, 5 Centimeters per Second, demonstrated its appeal by retaining the #2 position in its second weekend. The film garnered 283 million yen (US$1.88 million) on 198,000 admissions, experiencing a 20.6% week-on-week drop. In just two weekends since its October 10 release, the movie has achieved a cumulative domestic gross of one billion yen (US$6.64 million) from 710,000 admissions.
Anticipation for the Adaptation
The original 5 Centimeters per Second anime, known for its poignant portrayal of distance and first love, was released in Japan in 2007 and has been lauded for its breathtaking animation. The live-action adaptation was highly anticipated, with director Yoshiyuki Okuyama at the helm. Makoto Shinkai himself expressed pleasant surprise and emotion after watching the adaptation, noting, “I was surprised at myself, but I cried while watching it. I truly felt glad that I’ve made 5 Centimeters per Second.” The live-action film is a two-hour feature, expanding on the original 63-minute anime.
Broader Japanese Box Office Landscape
While these two films dominated the top spots, the Japanese box office continued to see strong performances from other titles. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle remained in third place in its 14th weekend, adding 255 million yen (US$1.69 million) on 157,000 admissions. The film’s cumulative domestic total has reached 36.7 billion yen (US$243.5 million) on 25.33 million admissions, making it the second-highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, trailing only Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train. The continued success of these films highlights the robust health of the Japanese cinema market, particularly for anime and adaptations.
