Makoto Shinkai is poised to outperform anything ever produced by Walt Disney.
Japan has a pretty robust film industry. In addition to a recent resurgence in domestically produced films, just about every international blockbuster eventually makes its way to theaters in the country.
Because of that, the weekly box office rankings tend to change pretty quickly. A new movie comes out, gets some buzz, spends a few weeks at or near the top of the list, and then gets brushed aside for newer, shinier releases. Unless, that is, the movie is Makoto Shinkai’s anime phenomenon Your Name.
Your Name was released on August 26 in Japan, meaning that moviegoers have had nearly five months in which to go see it as many times as they’d like. And yet, Shinkai’s latest is still filling up theaters. Last week, it was the number-two movie in Japan, outperforming both Rogue One and the latest Yo-kai Watch theatrical features, both of which were only released in December.
The sustained sales of Your Name tickets are significant. It’s currently the fourth-highest earning film ever in Japanese theaters, and directly above it, at number three, is Frozen. Due to Your Name’s continued success the gap between the two is getting smaller and smaller, and as of the latest reports, Your Name has earned 23.23 billion yen (US$200.26 million) to Frozen’s 25.48 billion yen.
So does Your Name have enough s to pass Disney’s musical hit? It’s looking like a definite possibility. Over the past month, Your Name added roughly 2.73 billion yen to its box office total, so some simple number crunching shows that if it can keep selling tickets at a little more than 80 percent of its current pace, one month from now, it’ll slide past Frozen. If it does, Your Name will have outperformed any Disney film ever released in Japan, adding yet another achievement to its legacy and further boosting the anticipation for Shinaki’ next project.
Source: Sankei News via Otakomu, Kogyo Tsushin via Anime News Network

As anime Your Name comes out on home video, did it manage to beat Frozen at the box office?
Anime Your Name passes original Harry Potter in Japanese earnings, now trails Frozen
Anime Your Name passes Princess Mononoke on all-time Japanese box office list, is now at number 3
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name passes two Hayao Miyazaki anime’s earnings, box office romp continues
Your Name reportedly becomes highest worldwide earning anime film of all time
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Can you unlock your new iPhone 6 Plus with your nipple? We can! 【Video】
42 thoughts that crossed our mind when visiting the forest that inspired Princess Mononoke
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Nattoku! Factory offers free factory tours of a famous natto brand production process
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Demon Slayer passes Frozen and Your Name at Japanese box office, Shinkai comments on its success
Hit anime Your Name becomes highest-grossing Japanese film ever at Chinese theaters
Your Name director Makoto Shinkai talks about his next anime film, gives hopeful timeframe
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is about to do something no non-Ghibli anime has ever done
Director of anime Your Name responds to criticisms about the hit film
Your Name becomes second-highest grossing Japanese film ever, has Harry Potter in its sights
Anime hit Your Name to get Academy Award-qualifying U.S. theatrical run this year
What would anime hit Your Name look like without its biggest storytelling cheat? Manga shows us
Anime film Your Name’s director reveals that one character was very different in initial script
Creator of anime Your Name says he’s “not really that interested” in Hollywood live-action remake
Video accuses Your Name of copying two of its animation sequences from other anime【Video】
Weathering with You is first anime submitted for Best International Film Oscar in over 20 years
Twitter is abuzz over gorgeous new visual promotion for the hit anime film Your Name
Shinkai’s “Your Name” tops South Korean box office with US$8.1 million
Anime Your Name’s home video release announced, has English subtitles and is region-free
Leave a Reply