The Wonderful Precure! The Movie! Doki Doki Game no Sekai de Daiboken (Wonderful Precure! The Movie! Grand Adventure in a Thrilling Game World) opened strong in Japan, ranking second at the box office. During its opening weekend, the film sold 295,000 tickets and earned ¥367 million (approximately US$2.59 million). This marks the second-highest opening weekend in the Precure franchise, trailing only behind last year’s Precure All Stars F movie. By Monday, thanks to the Respect for the Aged Day holiday in Japan, the film had sold 405,000 tickets and grossed ¥497 million (about US$3.51 million).
Released on September 13, the movie follows the characters Komugi and Iroha as they are transported into a video game world called Doki Doki Tanukingdom (Thrilling Raccoon-Dog Kingdom). Familiar characters from the Soaring Sky! Precure and Maho Girls Precure! series also make appearances.
Key production members for the film include Naoki Miyahara (The First Slam Dunk unit director) as director, Yoichi Kato (Yo-kai Watch) as scriptwriter, and Takayuki Murakami as unit director. The film’s music was composed by Erika Fukasawa, with character designs by Risa Miyadani (Aikatsu! Planet). Additional roles were filled by Yoshio Tanioka as art director, Sayoko Yokoyama as color key artist, and Yuki Ōshima and Kana Sasaki as photography directors. The CG direction was handled by Daiki Nakazawa, and Miho Sugawara served as sound director. The movie’s theme song, “Happy≒Future,” was performed by Moeha Nochimoto and Chihaya Yoshitake, while Ami Ishii and Rie Kitagawa sang the insert song “Daisuki na Kizuna” (Beloved Bond).
Other Box Office Highlights
Mrs. Green Apple // The White Lounge in CINEMA, a concert screening of the band’s 2023-2024 tour, debuted at #4 at the box office.
Meanwhile, My Hero Academia THE MOVIE: You’re Next continues to perform well, staying at #7 during its seventh week in theaters. Over the weekend, it earned ¥102.76 million (approximately US$726,300), bringing its total earnings to ¥3.29 billion (about US$23.21 million) since its release on August 2. The movie sold 608,500 tickets and earned ¥895 million (US$6.28 million) in its first three days. It is set to release in U.S. theaters on October 11, featuring both English subtitles and dubbed versions.
Directed by Tensai Okamura (Darker than Black) and featuring an original story, the film introduces new villain characters from the “Gorrini Family,” a mysterious criminal organization. Returning staff members include scriptwriter Yōsuke Kuroda, character designer Yoshihiko Umakoshi, and composer Yuki Hayashi. The movie’s theme song, “Homunculus,” and ending theme, “Gift,” are performed by Vaundy.
Crayon Shin-chan Movie Slips to #8
Eiga Crayon Shin-chan: Ora-tachi no Kyōryū Nikki (Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Our Dinosaur Diary), the 31st film in the Crayon Shin-chan franchise, dropped to #8 in its sixth weekend. It earned ¥72.42 million (about US$511,800) from Friday to Sunday, with a total cumulative earning of ¥2.36 billion (about US$16.67 million). The film debuted on August 9, taking the #2 spot at the box office during its opening weekend, and earning ¥455 million (US$3.05 million) in its first three days.
The movie focuses on the relationship between Shinnosuke’s dog, Shiro, and a small dinosaur, a connection that ultimately strengthens the bond between Shinnosuke and the Kasukabe Defense Squad.
Other Box Office Performances
Natsume Arata no Kekkon (Arata Natsume’s Marriage), a live-action film adaptation of Tarō Nogizaka’s manga, fell to #9 in its second weekend. The film earned ¥71 million (approximately US$501,700) from Friday to Sunday, with a cumulative total of ¥282.97 million (about US$1.99 million).
Kingdom: Taishogun no Kikan (Return of the General), the fourth live-action film in the Kingdom franchise, dropped to #10 in its 10th weekend, earning ¥70.88 million (about US$500,700). Its total box office earnings now stand at ¥7.68 billion (US$54.27 million).
Both Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club and The Colors Within (Kimi no Iro) have fallen out of the top 10 rankings but continue to add to their box office totals in limited showings.