Chiikawa Film Stays Strong, Cumulative Revenue Tops ¥17.1 Billion

Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island), the first anime film based on Nagano’s Chiikawa manga, slipped from #2 to #4 in its 11th weekend at the Japanese box office, earning 178,447,600 yen (about US$1.12 million) from Friday to Sunday.

The film has now sold a total of 11.76 million tickets and accumulated 17,169,165,400 yen (about US$108 million) in cumulative revenue, making it the highest-grossing film in Japan this year and the 14th highest-grossing film of all time in the country.

The film opened on July 24, debuting at #1 with a single-day opening of 990 million yen (about US$6.05 million). Its first three days brought in 1,508,500 tickets sold and 2,240,333,500 yen (about US$13.70 million).

Following its theatrical run, 4DX screenings launched on September 5, a one-day cheering screening event was held on September 11, and Penlight screenings took place on September 23.

The film adapts the manga arc Nagano posted on X (formerly Twitter) from March to November 2023, known among fans as the “Siren Arc” or “Island Arc.” Nagano is credited for the original story and wrote the screenplay. Under Nagano’s supervision, Kei Oikawa (Uma Musume Pretty Derby seasons 1–3, Hinamatsuri, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax) directed the film at Cygames Pictures. QTORY inc. managed production, and TOHO is distributing.

Star Detective Precure! Film Drops to #5 in Third Weekend

Eiga Meitantei Precure! Fushigi na Niwa to Futari no Himitsu (Detective Precure! The Movie: The Mysterious Garden and the Secret of 2 People) — the theatrical film for Star Detective Precure!, the 23rd main entry in the Precure franchise — fell from #3 to #5 in its third weekend, earning 117,562,850 yen (about US$742,100) from Friday to Sunday. Cumulative totals stand at 860,000 tickets sold and 1,088,603,930 yen (about US$6.87 million).

The film opened in Japan on September 18, earning 446 million yen (about US$2.82 million) from 358,000 tickets in its first three days. By its sixth day on September 23, it had sold 606,000 tickets for a total of 746 million yen (about US$4.71 million).

Cast and Staff

Voice cast for the film’s original characters includes:

• Akari Kitō as Karin, a 14-year-old girl who holds the key to the story
• Nobunaga Shimazaki as Alan, a fairy who watches over Karin
• Kōki Uchiyama as Rain, a fairy who asks the Detective Precures for help

Hanako Ueda (episode director on You and Idol Precure♪, Summer Time Rendering, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON) directed the film. Yoshimi Narita wrote the script, Erika Fukasawa and Misaki Umase composed the music, and Emiko Miyamoto designed the characters and served as chief animation director.

The ending theme “FIRST PRISM” is performed by Yūka Masui and Chihaya Yoshitake, while Ami Ishii performs the insert song “First Step.”

Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht: Rising Re-enters at #7

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising (Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten), the official sequel to Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion, rejoined the chart at #7 in its sixth weekend, earning 135,516,600 yen (about US$855,400) from Friday to Sunday. Its cumulative total stands at 2,342,576,920 yen (about US$14.78 million).

The film opened in Japan on August 28 alongside IMAX screenings, selling 535,000 tickets for 939,647,100 yen (about US$5.95 million) in its first three days.

The film was directed by Yukihiro Miyamoto (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Magia Record, Arakawa Under the Bridge), with the returning core creative team including original creators Magica Quartet, chief director Akiyuki Simbo, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, original character designer Ume Aoki, animation character designer Junichirō Taniguchi, composer Yuki Kajiura, alternate space designer Gekidan Inu Curry, and animation studio SHAFT.

New cast additions include Shion Wakayama as the new magical girl Shichōka and Tomoyo Kurosawa as Selma Therese.

Other Box Office Notes

NOTHING NEW and director Kōhei Kadowaki‘s anime film We Are Aliens (Ware Ware wa Uchūjin) did not crack the top 10 but surpassed 100 million yen in revenue as of October 2. As of October 4, it has sold 97,401 tickets and earned 156,708,200 yen (about US$990,200). The film opened on September 25.

Shingo Yamashita‘s Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (Chō Kaguya-hime!) dropped off the top 10 in its third week, following a return to theaters on September 18 with new MX4D, 4DX, SCREENX, ULTRA 4DX, and Dolby Atmos screenings.