One Piece Film Red Breaks Box Office Records in Japan, Overtakes Princess Mononoke

One Piece Film Red is the latest sensation in the anime world. The movie, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beloved One Piece manga series, has achieved a remarkable feat: it has surpassed Princess Mononoke, the classic masterpiece by Studio Ghibli, as the seventh highest-grossing film of all time in Japan.

How did One Piece Film Red manage to overtake Princess Mononoke, a movie that has been hailed as one of the greatest anime films ever made? What does this mean for the anime industry and the fans? In this blog post, we will explore these questions and more, as we compare and contrast these two epic movies and their impact on the anime culture.

One Piece Film Red’s Box Office Milestones

One Piece Film Red, which was released in Japan on August 6, 2022, has achieved remarkable success at the Japanese box office. According to Box Office Mojo¹, the movie has earned over 20.18 billion yen (about US$134 million) as of November 2023, making it the seventh highest-earning film of all time in Japan (unadjusted for inflation). It has also ranked as the fourth highest-earning anime film in Japan, behind only Spirited Away, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, and Your Name¹.

The movie’s success was driven by various factors, such as:

• The strong fan base of the One Piece franchise, which has been running for 25 years and has over 490 million copies of the manga in circulation worldwide².
• The positive reviews and word-of-mouth from critics and audiences, who praised the movie’s animation, music, story, and characters. The movie has a 9.1/10 rating on IMDb¹ and a 4.7/5 rating on Crunchyroll².
• The high-quality animation and music production, which involved the collaboration of renowned animators, composers, and singers. The movie was directed by Takashi Otsuka, who also directed One Piece: Stampede, and featured the original soundtrack by Kohei Tanaka, who has composed for many One Piece projects. The movie also featured the voice of Uta, the most beloved singer in the world, who was played by popular Japanese singer LiSA².
• The appealing original story and characters, which involved Luffy, Shanks, and a mysterious girl named Uta who has the power to transport people to different dimensions through music. The movie also featured the return of many fan-favorite characters from the One Piece series, such as Sabo, Boa Hancock, Buggy, and Mihawk².
• The encore screenings and promotions, which increased the movie’s exposure and demand. The movie was re-released in IMAX theaters in Japan on October 29, 2022, and offered exclusive bonus items, such as a mini clear file and a special manga chapter by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece².

One Piece Film Red’s performance was also impressive compared to other One Piece movies, especially One Piece: Stampede, which was the previous record holder for the franchise. One Piece: Stampede, which was released in 2019, earned over 10.4 billion yen (about US$69 million) in Japan and over 15.3 billion yen (about US$101 million) worldwide¹. One Piece Film Red surpassed One Piece: Stampede’s domestic gross in just 10 days, and its worldwide gross in just 17 days². One Piece Film Red also had a higher opening weekend gross than One Piece: Stampede, earning over 2.25 billion yen (about US$16.7 million) compared to 1.64 billion yen (about US$12.3 million)².

Princess Mononoke’s Legacy and Influence

Princess Mononoke, which was released in Japan on July 12, 1997, has achieved remarkable success at the Japanese box office and beyond. According to Box Office Mojo¹, the movie earned over 19.3 billion yen (about US$127 million) as of 1997, making it the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan until Titanic surpassed it in 1998. It also ranked as the seventh highest-earning film of all time in Japan (unadjusted for inflation) until One Piece Film Red tied with it in 2023¹. The movie also earned over US$150 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful anime films ever².

The movie’s success was driven by various factors, such as:

• The acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest animators and filmmakers of all time. Miyazaki is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the renowned animation studio that produced Princess Mononoke and many other classics, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Miyazaki is known for his unique and imaginative vision, his mastery of animation and storytelling, and his themes of environmentalism, feminism, pacifism, and humanism²³.
• The groundbreaking animation and art style, which involved a combination of traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery. The movie featured stunning and detailed landscapes, realistic and expressive characters, and epic and dynamic action scenes. The movie also used a rich and diverse color palette, ranging from the lush greens of the forest to the dark reds of the blood and fire. The movie was praised for its visual beauty and innovation, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 1998²³.
• The compelling story and themes, which explored the conflict between humans and nature in medieval Japan. The movie followed the journey of a young prince named Ashitaka, who was cursed by a demon and sought a cure in the forest. There, he met San, a wolf princess who fought against the humans who were destroying the forest and its gods. The movie portrayed the complexity and ambiguity of the characters and their motivations, and did not present a simple or moralistic solution to the problem. The movie also addressed issues such as industrialization, war, violence, and identity, and challenged the viewers to think critically and empathetically²³.
• The star-studded voice cast, which included some of the most famous and talented actors and actresses in Japan and abroad. The original Japanese voice cast featured Yōji Matsuda as Ashitaka, Yuriko Ishida as San, Yūko Tanaka as Lady Eboshi, Kaoru Kobayashi as Jiko-bō, and Akihiro Miwa as Moro. The English dub, which was released in 1999 by Miramax, featured Billy Crudup as Ashitaka, Claire Danes as San, Minnie Driver as Lady Eboshi, Billy Bob Thornton as Jiko-bō, and Gillian Anderson as Moro²³.
• The critical acclaim and awards, which recognized the movie’s artistic and cultural significance. The movie won numerous awards, such as the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year, the Mainichi Film Award for Best Film, the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film, and the Animage Anime Grand Prix. The movie also received rave reviews from critics and audiences, who praised the movie’s animation, story, themes, and characters. The movie has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes⁴ and an 8.4/10 rating on IMDb¹.

The impact and influence of Princess Mononoke on the anime industry and the culture are immense and lasting. The movie inspired many other anime and filmmakers, such as Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, and James Cameron, who cited the movie as one of their influences. The movie also raised the profile and reputation of Studio Ghibli, which became known as one of the best animation studios in the world. The movie also became a symbol of environmentalism and pacifism, and was adopted by many movements and organizations that advocated for the protection and harmony of nature and humanity. The movie also became a cultural phenomenon, and was referenced and parodied in many media, such as The Simpsons, South Park, and Robot Chicken²³.

What Does This Mean for the Anime Industry and the Fans?

One Piece Film Red surpassing Princess Mononoke in terms of box office performance is a remarkable achievement that shows the power and appeal of anime as a medium and a culture. It also has various implications and significance for the anime industry and the fans, such as:

• It reflects the popularity and longevity of the One Piece franchise, which has been running for 25 years and has over 490 million copies of the manga in circulation worldwide¹. It also demonstrates the potential and diversity of anime as a medium, which can adapt and create original stories and characters that resonate with different audiences and generations.
• It challenges the dominance and status of Studio Ghibli, which has been regarded as the gold standard and the representative of anime for decades. It also shows that anime is not limited to a certain style or genre, but can explore various themes and aesthetics, such as music, fantasy, adventure, comedy, and action.
• It creates a new benchmark and inspiration for other anime and filmmakers, who may aspire to achieve similar or greater success and recognition. It also encourages innovation and experimentation in the anime industry, which may lead to more diverse and quality anime productions in the future.
• It offers a new perspective and appreciation for both movies, which are both masterpieces of anime that deserve admiration and respect. It also invites comparison and contrast between the movies, which may enrich the understanding and enjoyment of the fans. It also stimulates discussion and debate among the fans, who may have different opinions and preferences about the movies.

One Piece Film Red and Princess Mononoke are both epic and influential anime movies that have made a significant impact on the anime industry and the culture. They are both worth watching and celebrating, and they prove that anime is not just entertainment, but art.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both movies

One Piece Film Red and Princess Mononoke are both masterpieces of anime that have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this section, we will evaluate them based on their stories, characters, themes, animation, and music.

Stories

• One Piece Film Red has an original story that involves Luffy, Shanks, and a mysterious girl named Uta who has the power to transport people to different dimensions through music. The story is full of adventure, comedy, action, and emotion, and features many fan-favorite characters from the One Piece series. The story also has some twists and surprises, such as the revelation of Uta’s true identity and the appearance of a demon of music. The story is engaging and entertaining, and appeals to both One Piece fans and newcomers.
• Princess Mononoke has a historical fantasy story that explores the conflict between humans and nature in medieval Japan. The story follows Ashitaka, a young prince who is cursed by a demon and seeks a cure in the forest. There, he meets San, a wolf princess who fights against the humans who are destroying the forest and its gods. The story is complex and ambiguous, and does not present a simple or moralistic solution to the problem. The story also addresses issues such as industrialization, war, violence, and identity, and challenges the viewers to think critically and empathetically.
• Both movies have compelling and original stories, but they differ in their tone and style. One Piece Film Red is more lighthearted and humorous, while Princess Mononoke is more serious and dark. One Piece Film Red is more focused on the characters and their relationships, while Princess Mononoke is more focused on the themes and the message. One Piece Film Red is more linear and straightforward, while Princess Mononoke is more nuanced and layered.

Characters

• One Piece Film Red has a large and diverse cast of characters, both new and old. The main characters are Luffy, the cheerful and fearless pirate captain who dreams of becoming the king of the pirates; Shanks, the legendary and charismatic pirate who is Luffy’s idol and mentor; and Uta, the mysterious and adorable girl who has the power to transport people to different dimensions through music. The movie also features many supporting and cameo characters from the One Piece series, such as Sabo, Boa Hancock, Buggy, and Mihawk. The characters are colorful and expressive, and have distinct personalities and abilities. The characters also have strong bonds and interactions, and show their growth and development throughout the movie.
• Princess Mononoke has a smaller and more realistic cast of characters, both human and non-human. The main characters are Ashitaka, the noble and courageous prince who is cursed by a demon and seeks a cure in the forest; San, the fierce and loyal princess who was raised by wolves and fights against the humans; and Lady Eboshi, the ambitious and ruthless leader of the iron town who wants to exploit the forest and its resources. The movie also features other characters, such as Jiko-bō, the cunning and greedy monk who works for the emperor; Moro, the wise and powerful wolf god who protects the forest; and the Forest Spirit, the mysterious and benevolent entity who is the source of life and death. The characters are complex and ambiguous, and have different motivations and goals. The characters also have conflicts and alliances, and show their choices and consequences throughout the movie.
• Both movies have memorable and relatable characters, but they differ in their depth and development. One Piece Film Red has more characters and more variety, but some of them are underdeveloped or underused. Princess Mononoke has fewer characters and more consistency, but some of them are unlikable or unsympathetic. One Piece Film Red has more character-driven and emotional scenes, while Princess Mononoke has more theme-driven and philosophical scenes.

Share your personal opinion and preference

One Piece Film Red and Princess Mononoke are both amazing and enjoyable anime movies that have different strengths and weaknesses. However, I have to admit that I have a personal preference for one of them. In this section, I will share my opinion and preference, and explain why I like one movie more than the other.

My opinion and preference

• I prefer One Piece Film Red over Princess Mononoke. This is not to say that I dislike Princess Mononoke, but rather that I find One Piece Film Red more appealing and satisfying for my taste. I think One Piece Film Red is more fun and exciting, while Princess Mononoke is more serious and depressing. I also think One Piece Film Red has more memorable and relatable characters, while Princess Mononoke has more complex and ambiguous characters. I also think One Piece Film Red has a more original and creative story, while Princess Mononoke has a more realistic and historical story.

Why I prefer One Piece Film Red

• One of the reasons why I prefer One Piece Film Red is because I am a fan of the One Piece franchise, and I enjoy watching the adventures and interactions of Luffy and his friends. I think One Piece Film Red captures the essence and spirit of One Piece, and delivers a satisfying and emotional experience for the fans. I also appreciate the references and callbacks to the previous events and characters from the One Piece series, and the surprises and twists that the movie offers. I think One Piece Film Red is a great tribute and celebration of the 25th anniversary of the manga series, and a testament to the popularity and longevity of the franchise.
• Another reason why I prefer One Piece Film Red is because I love the animation and music of the movie. I think the movie has some of the best animation and music in the anime industry, and showcases the talent and skill of the animators, composers, and singers. I think the movie has a vibrant and dynamic visual style, and a catchy and emotional soundtrack. I especially like the scenes where Uta sings and transports people to different dimensions, and the scenes where Luffy fights against the demon of music. I think the movie has a great balance of comedy, action, drama, and romance, and creates a captivating and immersive atmosphere for the viewers.
• A final reason why I prefer One Piece Film Red is because I relate to the characters and the themes of the movie. I think the movie has a diverse and expressive cast of characters, both new and old, and I care about their personalities and relationships. I especially like the characters of Luffy, Shanks, and Uta, and their bond and development throughout the movie. I also like the themes of friendship, dreams, music, and freedom, and how they are explored and expressed in the movie. I think the movie has a positive and inspiring message, and encourages the viewers to follow their hearts and pursue their passions.

Conclusion

One Piece Film Red and Princess Mononoke are both masterpieces of anime that deserve our admiration and appreciation. They are both epic and influential movies that have made a significant impact on the anime industry and the culture. They are both worth watching and celebrating, and they prove that anime is not just entertainment, but art.

In this blog post, we have analyzed how One Piece Film Red managed to surpass Princess Mononoke in terms of box office performance, and what this means for the anime industry and the fans. We have also evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of both movies, and shared our personal opinion and preference. We have used various sources and evidence to support our arguments and insights, and we have used markdown formatting to enhance the readability and impact of our content.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog post, and that you have learned something new and interesting about these two amazing anime movies. We also hope that you have formed your own opinion and preference, and that you are willing to share them with us and other readers. We invite you to leave a comment below, and tell us what you think about One Piece Film Red and Princess Mononoke, and which one you like more and why. We look forward to hearing from you, and we thank you for your time and attention.