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Mazinger Z: Infinity Anime Film Opens at #6 at Japanese Box Office
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Destiny - Kamakura Monogatari, the live-action film of Ryohei Saigan's Kamakura Monogatari manga, fell from #3 to #4 during the January 13-14 weekend, its sixth weekend at the Japanese box office. The film sold 89,000 tickets on Saturday and Sunday to earn 113 million yen (about US$1.02 million), pushing its total to 2.7 billion yen (about US$24 million). Takashi Yamazaki (Always: Sunset on Third Street, Stand By Me Doraemon) directed the film, penned the script, and handled the visual effects. The manga's story centers on mystery writer Masakazu Isshiki, who lives with his wife Akiko in Kamakura, as they encounter strange incidents and creatures such as kappa and gods of poverty.
Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu (Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: The Return of the Oni King), the fourth film in the Yo-kai Watch franchise, stayed at #5 during its fifth weekend. The film earned 67,513,600 yen (about US$608,200) on January 12-14, and the film has earned 1,863,413,400 yen (about US$16.78 million) total so far. The new film is expected to earn 2.5 billion yen (about US$22 million).
New to the film is the ability for yo-kai to transform into "lightside" and "shadowside" forms. In these forms, yo-kai show different personalities, abilities, and appearances. Jibanyan, Komasan, Whisper, Nurarihyon, Lord Enma, and Slimamander returned in the film. Characters from Shigeru Mizuki's Gegege no Kitarō manga also appear in the film. LEVEL-5 president and CEO and Yo-kai Watch creator Akihiro Hino oversaw production of the film, as well as provided the original concept and wrote the script.
The Mazinger Z: Infinity anime film opened at #6. The film sold 54,000 tickets at 152 screens in its first two days to earn 87 million yen (about US$785,610). Junji Shimizu (One Piece: Episode of Chopper - The Miracle Winter Cherry Blossom, Precure All Stars New Stage: Mirai no Tomodachi) directed the film off a script by ume's Takahiro Ozawa (Tokyo Toybox, Steves). Takayuki Yanase (Ghost in the Shell Arise, Mobile Suit Gundam 00) drafted the mechanic designs, and Hiroya Iijima (Afro Samurai) designed the characters. The film's story takes place 10 years after Koji Kabuto has stopped being a pilot and is now a scientist like his father and grandfather.
The live-action film adaptation of Kanan Minami's Miseinen dakedo Kodomo ja Nai (I'm a Minor But I'm Not a Child) manga moved up from #9 to #8 in its fourth weekend. The film earned 34,683,500 yen (about US$312,400) on January 12-14, and has earned a total of 573,475,400 yen (about US$5.16 million) so far. The film stars Yuna Taira as protagonist Karin Oriyama, Sexy Zone's Kento Nakajima as "school prince" Nao Tsurugi, and Hey! Say! JUMP's Yūri Chinen as Karin's childhood friend Isuzu Ebina.
The story centers on 16-year-old high school girl Karin Oriyama. As a present for her 16th birthday, her parents arrange for her to get married to her crush Nao Tsurugi, the "school prince" who gets good grades and excels at sports. However, Nao declares that he does not like her and demands they keep the marriage a secret. Nao slowly seems to warm up to her, but then Karin's childhood friend finds out about their secret marriage.
The Eiga Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! Take On Me (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! the Movie: Take On Me) film fell from #6 to #9 in its second weekend. It earned 41,551,500 yen (about US$374,300) on January 12-14, and has earned a total of 151,388,600 yen (about US$1.36 million). In the film, Rikka is now a third-year student, but she still has "chunibyo" syndrome. University entrance exams loom on the horizon, and it's spring break, and Yūta and Rikka are together as usual. One day, Rikka's older sister Tōka declares that she's going to take Rikka to Italy with her, as Tōka is moving to Italy for work and she thinks they should move together as a family. Yūta understands Tōka's opinion, but thinks that at this rate he and Rikka will be separated. Shinka and the other members suggest that Yūta and Rikka should "elope," and thus sets the stage for Yūta and Rikka's travels throughout Japan in their escape drama.
The Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FINAL Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Rider crossover film fell from the top 10 chart in its sixth weekend. The film earned 28,696,800 yen (about US$258,500) on January 12-14, and has earned a total of 1,234,566,200 yen (about US$11.12 million).
Sources: Kōgyō Tsūshin (link 2), Eiga.com, comScore via KOFIC
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