The Japanese film box office ranking for the New Year weekend, covering January 3 to January 5, 2025, has revealed impressive results, particularly for the animated feature 'Hatsukoi' and the live-action adaptation 'Granblue Fantasy'. 'Hatsukoi', which has been leading the charts for four consecutive weeks, continues to dominate the box office scene.
According to figures released by the cinema ranking authority, 'Hatsukoi' witnessed audience attendance of 466,000, pulling in approximately 641 million yen over the weekend. This performance marks a steady increase, with revenue and attendance climbing by 109% and 110%, respectively, compared to the previous weekend. Cumulatively, 'Hatsukoi' has attracted over 3.07 million viewers and grossed 4.1 billion yen, showcasing the film's enduring appeal during the festive season when families often seek entertainment.
On the other hand, the newly released 'Granblue Fantasy', which premiered on December 30, made quite the splash, debuting at number two. Starring popular actor Kimura Takuya as Natsuki Obana, the film has its roots as the continuation of the successful TBS drama 'Gran Maison Tokyo'. This live-action adaptation managed to draw 409,000 viewers and secured earnings of 613 million yen over the opening weekend. The film's total revenue for the first seven days is nearing 14 billion yen, indicating it’s well on its way to breaking the one million admissions mark.
Following 'Hatsukoi' and 'Granblue Fantasy', other titles also made their mark during the holiday box office period. 'Moana and the Legend of the Sea 2' continued to attract audiences for its fifth weekend, along with 'The Lion King: Mufasa', both demonstrating significant public interest.
Looking closely at 'Granblue Fantasy', the film is not just another adaptation but also strategically launched following the airing of special episodes, aiming to transition dedicated viewers from the small screen to theaters.
Interestingly, the director, Toho, anticipates the film could earn up to 30 billion yen as it continues to ramp up its audience figures. Traditionally, adaptations from popular TV dramas enjoy considerable commercial success, and 'Granblue Fantasy' is poised to follow this trend.
The year's start brings renewed hope for the Japanese film industry, with 'Hatsukoi's' stable performance and the promising debut of 'Granblue Fantasy'. Each film seems poised to benefit from the family-centric viewing habits amplified by the New Year festivities.
With this box office season showcasing strong competition, it remains to be seen how these films will perform as additional movies, like 'Bee Keeper' featuring Jason Statham, make their entries. These developments offer insights not only for filmmakers but also for audiences eager for compelling stories to enjoy during this dynamic cinematic period.
Looking forward, the performances of both 'Hatsukoi' and 'Granblue Fantasy' will be closely monitored, with expectations high for their continued successes. 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year for Japanese cinema, backed by these strong releases at the box office.