The Japanese box office has a new leader as Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- has taken the top spot in its opening weekend. The film, a re-edited version of the first four episodes of the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX television anime, earned a staggering 599 million yen (approximately US$3.83 million) in its first three days, selling 352,500 tickets. Meanwhile, COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing debuted at number two, earning 307 million yen (about US$1.97 million) with 232,500 tickets sold.
Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Makes a Powerful Debut
Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- introduces audiences to Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student living in a space colony, who finds herself drawn into the world of illegal mobile suit dueling. Amate, under the entry name “Machu,” pilots the GQuuuuuuX in fierce battles. Her life takes a turn when she encounters a war refugee named Nyaan and a mysterious Gundam mobile suit along with its pilot, Shūji, pursued by both the space force and the police. The movie serves as an introduction to the larger story of the television anime series, setting the stage for an action-packed narrative.
A Look at the Creative Team
The anime is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, known for his work on FLCL and Gunbuster 2: Diebuster. The series scripts are supervised and co-written by Yōji Enokido, whose credits include Bungo Stray Dogs and Revolutionary Girl Utena, alongside Hideaki Anno of Evangelion and Shin Godzilla fame. Character designs are handled by Illustrator Take (Katanagatari, Zaregoto), and Ikuto Yamashita, known for his work on Evangelion and Shin Kamen Rider, serves as the mechanical designer. The main cast includes Tomoyo Kurosawa as Amate Yuzuriha, Yui Ishikawa as Nyaan, and Shimba Tsuchiya as Shūji Itō.
The Buzz Around GQuuuuuuX
The anticipation for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX has been building for some time. Bandai has already announced a High Grade (HG) model kit of the GQuuuuuuX, showcasing the mobile suit’s unique design and articulation. The series has also generated considerable buzz online, with fans eagerly awaiting the debut of this new entry in the Gundam franchise. Notably, the series is a collaboration between studio khara and SUNRISE, further fueling excitement among anime enthusiasts.
COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing: A Musical Journey
COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing is a different kind of story, based on the popular smartphone game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!. The film follows Shibuya teen musician Ichika, who encounters Hatsune Miku and they embark on a journey to help Miku connect with emotions through music. The movie blends science fiction and musical drama, exploring themes of self-discovery and the power of music.
Behind the Scenes of the Miku Movie
The movie is directed by Hiroyuki Hata and written by Yoko Yonaiyama. The animation is produced by P.A. Works and distributed by Shochiku. The film boasts a talented cast, including Akina, Yu Asakawa, Naoto Fuga, and Saki Fujita. This marks Hatsune Miku’s first appearance in a feature-length anime film, which has generated significant anticipation among her fanbase.
Hatsune Miku’s First Feature Film
This is the first feature film appearance for Hatsune Miku, a virtual idol who has captivated audiences worldwide for over 15 years. This film promises to explore new facets of her character and her journey, adding a new layer to the beloved franchise. Despite the film’s second-place debut, the movie is still expected to be a hit with Miku’s dedicated fans.
Box Office Numbers and Industry Impact
The opening weekend success of Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- and COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing highlights the continuing strength of anime in the Japanese box office. The Gundam franchise, in particular, shows no signs of slowing down, with the new film demonstrating significant interest in the series. The performance of both films will be closely watched in the weeks to come, as they compete for audience attention and overall revenue.
What the Numbers Mean
- Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-: 599 million yen (US$3.83 million) earned, 352,500 tickets sold.
- COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing: 307 million yen (US$1.97 million) earned, 232,500 tickets sold.
These figures illustrate the strong initial interest in both films. The Gundam movie’s performance demonstrates that the franchise remains a powerful draw for audiences, while the Miku film showcases the broad appeal of virtual idols and their stories. The results of the weekend also point to the variety in the anime landscape, with action-packed mecha and musical drama appealing to different segments of the audience.
Looking Ahead
Both Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- and COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing are poised to make a significant impact on the anime film scene. The success of Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- could signal a strong launch for the upcoming television series, while COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing is expected to delight the large and dedicated fanbase of Hatsune Miku. As these films continue their theatrical runs, it will be interesting to see how they perform, shaping the anime landscape for the rest of the year.
