News

Japanese Box Office, February 15-16

Takashi Miike's live-action film adaptation of Noboru Takahashi's Mogura no Uta manga series, Mogura no Uta: Senyū Sōsakan Reiji (The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji), debuted this weekend at #1. In the story of the original manga, Reiji Kikukawa is known as a troublesome member of the police force due to his tendency to enforce justice through his own morals. He goes undercover to infiltrate a gangster syndicate. The film also ranked #1 on Box Office Mojo's chart and earned 282,124,453 yen (US$2,751,560).

Tiger & Bunny The Movie -The Rising- fell from #3 to #6 in its second weekend. The film reunites the core cast of the Tiger & Bunny television series, as well as Yūichi Nakamura as Golden Ryan, Barnaby Brooks Jr.'s new partner in the film. The story revolves around a mystery that happens on the day of the "Justice Day" festival that celebrates Sternbild's legendary goddess. Viz Media announced that it will screen in the United States starting March 14. The film also ranked #5 on Box Office Mojo's chart and earned 63,191,639 yen (US$616,308) on 94 screens for a new total of 281,717,475 yen (US$2,747,591).

THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: Kagayaki no Mukōgawa e! fell from #7 to #8 in its fourth week. In the film, the producer works his very hardest to help the 765 Production idols prepare themselves at a training camp for their first arena concert. He also reveals that there are new girls joining the team as back-up dancers for the arena concert. These girls are all idols featured in GREE's The IDOLM@STER: Million Live mobile game that started service last year. The idol Haruka is also named the leader of the group, and she is held in high esteem by the new girls, whose futures will be decided after the concert. The film also ranked #6 on Box Office Mojo's chart and earned 56,594,704 yen (US$551,968) on 40 screens for a new total of 440,509,003 yen (US$4,296,284).

Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger vs. Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters: Kyōryū Daikessen! Saraba Eien no Tomo yo (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger vs. Go-Busters: Dinosaur Great Battle! Farewell, Eternal Friends), the latest film in Toei's Super Sentai franchise ranked #14 on Box Office Mojo's chart in its fifth weekend and earned 11,686,453 yen (US$113,978) on 219 screens for a new total of 392,497,580 yen (US$3,828,028).

Sources: Kogyo Tsushinsha, Box Office Mojo