
Makoto Shinkai’s anime juggernaut was chasing the Disney hit, but which film pulled in the bigger audience at theaters?
Movies in general don’t make the transition from theaters to home video as quickly in Japan as they do in the U.S., but the wait for director Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name has been especially long. Upon its theatrical release on August 26, 2016, Your Name reverberated with audiences in a way no one expected, and with a near-unanimously positive response from critics and phenomenally strong word of mouth from movie-goers, the anime’s theatrical run lasted for several months.
But July 26 is the big day when Your Name finally becomes available on Blu-ray and DVD. Since its trickling theatrical revenue flow is going to cease entirely very soon, let’s take a look at where Your Name ended up on the all-time for Japanese box office revenue.
We’ve covered some of Your Name’s achievements before, such as becoming the only non-Hayao Miyazaki anime to ever gross more than 10 billion yen (approximately US$90 million) in domestic earnings and blowing past every individual installment in the Harry Potter, Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Star Wars franchises. When last we checked in on Shinkai’s masterpiece, it was looking to surpass every Disney feature as well as it closed in on Frozen’s final tally.
But unfortunately for anyone looking to champion Japanese anime over Western cartoons, Elsa and Anna have proven to be too much for Your Name Taki and Mitsuha to overcome.
Japan’s Cinema Ranking Tsushin reports that Your Name’s Japanese box office earnings now stand at 25.03 billion yen (roughly US$225.495 million), which isn’t quite enough to pass Frozen’s 25.5 billion. Granted, Your Name isn’t entirely gone from Japanese theaters. In Tokyo, for example, it’s still playing at exactly one venue, Cinema Rosa in the Ikebukuro neighborhood. With those Blu-rays coming out, though, it won’t be long until the only way to watch Your Name is at home, and there’s simply not enough time for Shinkai’s anime to earn another 500 million yen at the box office.
Still, Your Name still has the honor of being the fourth highest-grossing movie ever in Japan, trailing only Spirited Away (30.8 billion yen), Titanic (26.2 billion yen), and Frozen. It’s also the highest-grossing anime film ever internationally, so fans will still have plenty of successes to toast while dining together on the Your Name Tokyo cafe bus tour.
Source: Cinema Ranking Tsushin via Jin
Images: Your Name official website


Anime Your Name passing Disney’s Frozen in Japanese box office records looks increasingly likely
Anime Your Name passes Princess Mononoke on all-time Japanese box office list, is now at number 3
Anime Your Name passes original Harry Potter in Japanese earnings, now trails Frozen
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name passes two Hayao Miyazaki anime’s earnings, box office romp continues
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is about to do something no non-Ghibli anime has ever done
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese AI device reads stories to your kid with your voice, even if you’ve never read them【Vid】
Starbucks Japan’s rarest Frappuccino can only be purchased at 15 stores around the country
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Your Name reportedly becomes highest worldwide earning anime film of all time
Director of anime Your Name responds to criticisms about the hit film
Hit anime Your Name becomes highest-grossing Japanese film ever at Chinese theaters
Your Name’s Makoto Shinkai announces new anime film, reveals title, plot details, release date
Writer for Hollywood version of anime Your Name says Japanese side wants Westernized viewpoint
Your Name director Makoto Shinkai talks about his next anime film, gives hopeful timeframe
Your Name becomes second-highest grossing Japanese film ever, has Harry Potter in its sights
Anime Your Name’s home video release announced, has English subtitles and is region-free
Anime film Your Name’s director reveals that one character was very different in initial script
Beautiful anime bus will take travelers to Your Name’s countryside setting starting this month
Crazy movie coincidence reveals Godzilla’s true weakness: Films called Your Name
Shinkai’s “Your Name” tops South Korean box office with US$8.1 million
Chinese bootleg figures for Your Name anime simultaneously look exactly/nothing like you’d expect
Anime hit Your Name to get Academy Award-qualifying U.S. theatrical run this year