R15+ Version Boosts Earnings Since October 4 Release.The anime film The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe has crossed a significant milestone, grossing over three billion yen (approximately 20 million USD) at the Japanese box office. The figure was announced on the film’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, combining the revenue from both the original release and the recent R15+ version, which has been in theaters since October 4.
As of October 12, the combined box office earnings for The Birth of Kitaro reached 3,013,879,430 yen from a total of 2,089,532 admissions, according to Animate Times.
A Major Box Office Achievement
The success of the film commemorates the 100th anniversary of GeGeGe no Kitaro manga creator Shigeru Mizuki’s birth. The original version of The Birth of Kitaro premiered in Japan on November 17, 2023, under a PG12 rating (requiring parental guidance for viewers under 12). During its initial domestic run, the 104-minute movie grossed 2.79 billion yen (18.69 million USD) from 1.95 million admissions.
The R15+ version, subtitled Shinsei-ban (“Genuine Edition”), was released to further enhance the film’s horror elements. This edition includes 327 newly retaken cuts and re-dubbed sound to better reflect the original vision of the production team. The R15+ version debuted in 331 theaters across Japan on October 4, earning 156 million yen (1.05 million USD) from 97,700 admissions in its first three days, securing third place at the weekend box office.
A Supernatural Tale of Power and Betrayal
The Birth of Kitaro takes viewers back to Showa 31 (1956) in Nagura Village, a place controlled by the powerful Ryuga family, who held influence over Japan’s political and financial spheres. The plot follows Mizuki, an employee at the Imperial Blood Bank, who enters the village under the guise of mourning the Ryuga family head, harboring his own secret mission.
Simultaneously, Kitaro’s father arrives in the village in search of his wife. As the Ryuga family becomes embroiled in a brutal succession struggle, a mysterious murder at the village shrine sets off a chain of terrifying supernatural events.
The blend of suspense, supernatural horror, and family drama has captivated audiences, leading to its impressive box office performance and continued popularity with the addition of the R15+ version.
The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe continues to attract viewers, with its enhanced edition adding a fresh perspective to the chilling tale, further cementing its status as a box office hit.
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