Japan Box Office: Chiikawa the Movie Holds best Spot in 5th Weekend
The animated feature Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island continues to dominate the Japanese box office, holding onto the number one position for its fifth weekend from August 21 to August 23. According to data from Kogyo Tsushinsha, the film has maintained its momentum, proving that audience interest remains high well into its theatrical run.
A Strong Performance Driven by Audience Bonuses
Since its debut on July 24, the film has shown remarkable staying power. While it briefly slipped to second place behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day during its second weekend, it has since reclaimed the top spot for three consecutive weekends. Over the most recent period, the movie grossed 1.242 billion yen, approximately 7.8 million USD, with 825,800 admissions. This represents a 39 percent increase in revenue compared to the previous weekend.
This surge is largely attributed to the introduction of new audience bonuses. Starting August 22, theaters began distributing the third round of promotional items, specifically pullback mini-cars known as Gokigen Siren. This strategy has proven effective throughout the film’s release. For instance, during the weekend of August 7 to August 9, the distribution of Bonbon Drop Stickers led to a massive 158.5 percent jump in box office revenue compared to the prior week.
Climbing the All-Time Charts
The success of the film has pushed it into elite territory on the Japanese all-time box office chart. With a cumulative total of 11.05 billion yen, or 69.46 million USD, from 7.66 million admissions, the movie now ranks 42nd all-time. In reaching this milestone, it has surpassed notable titles such as Chainsaw Man – The Movie – Reze Arc and the 2021 hit Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.
Other Notable Performances
Elsewhere in the rankings, other major franchises continue to draw audiences. The 33rd installment in the Crayon Shin-chan series, Eiga Crayon Shin-chan: Kikikaikai! Ora no Yokai Vacation, climbed one spot to fifth place in its fourth weekend. Meanwhile, the live-action adaptation of the Blue Lock manga series, created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, moved up to ninth place in its third weekend.
Additionally, the live-action Kingdom: Tamashii no Kessen dropped to seventh place in its sixth weekend. Despite the slide, the film has grossed 6.1 billion yen, solidifying its place as the second-highest-grossing entry in its franchise. Finally, the new original anime short Shiranuhi from CoMix Wave Films made a strong debut, taking second place in the mini-theater rankings after opening in 20 theaters on August 21.
Source: Crunchyroll
