January 2025 has kicked off with exciting developments across the Japanese entertainment industry, marked by notable performances, successful theatrical productions, and the box office successes of animated films.
One of the standout moments came from Genta Matsuda, member of the popular group Travis Japan, who showcased his impressive multiplication skills during his appearance on Fuji TV's major variety special, 'THE BET,' aired on January 6. His performance caught the audience's attention, leaving many stunned.
The excitement doesn't stop with Matsuda. Travis Japan is also buzzing with joy after announcing the release of their first CD single. This news was met with overwhelming enthusiasm at their recent press conference, where Matsuda revealed it was another milestone for the group as they gear up for their upcoming concert tour, '2025 VIIsual.'
Besides idol performances, the spotlight also shines on theater. The 87 Degrees Theatre from the UK is scheduled to present 'Ori,' inspired by the classic 'Tale of Genji,' on January 18 and 19 at the Meguro Labor Hall’s Japanese room. With direction by Miku Shirahama and choreography by Midori Ogawa and Ching Chen, this physical theatre production promises to be visually captivating.
Meanwhile, traditional arts are also thriving. The Kabukiza Theatre will feature 'Muhitsu no Shusse,' based on storytelling by the renowned Kanda Matsuro, scheduled for April. This production marks the third attempt by Matsuro to adapt his storytelling works for the Kabuki stage, stepping away from the typical 'Chushingura' themes. Matsuro expressed his excitement, saying, "This will be my third challenge of adapting tales from the traditional storytelling to Kabuki, and I aim to present it with utmost respect for the original world."
Sharing similar sentiments, Matsuro's colleague Nishimori expressed the depth of tradition involved, stating, "The fusion of Kabuki and story-based performances has come to life. I believe this historical moment should be experienced by many audience members."
On the cinematic front, 'Cells at Work' continued to perform exceptionally well at the box office, achieving number one rankings for the fourth consecutive week. Over the January 3-5 weekend, the film amassed 466,000 viewers and grossed 641 million yen, bringing its total to over 4.1 billion yen. The production has captivated audiences, allowing it to maintain momentum as one of the year's major hits.
Adding to this cinematic success, Walt Disney Japan is currently hosting the 'Disney Winter Film Festival,' celebrating two films: 'Moana and the Legendary Ocean 2' and 'The Lion King: Mufasa.' Featuring collaborations among voice actors such as Matsuda, Right Light, and Matsuda Genta, the festival aims to showcase the unique charm of Disney music through various promotional activities. Released on January 6, 'Moana 2' has broken records as this year's top foreign film, attracting over 1.47 million viewers and grossing approximately 2 billion yen.
During promotional activities, the three voice actors enthusiastically discussed their roles and the stories behind each character. Matsuda, who lends his voice to Maui, expressed his admiration for the character, stating, "I want to be able to perform and showcase my love for Maui through my role. It's such a cool character!"
Aside from the lively discussions about Disney music and their experiences, these actors celebrated the warm camaraderie they share, with Matsuda highlighting the fresh brotherly bond felt on set, reflecting the positivity they aim to present through their work.
Also sparking interest is the unique adaptation of 'The Lion King: Mufasa,' which dives deep beneath the vast African skies, weaving themes of life through its engaging narrative. The project promises to introduce audiences to the origins of the beloved Lion King story, adding layers to the legendary franchise.
With these exciting developments, the Japanese entertainment industry is set to thrive even more throughout 2025. Viewers can anticipate vibrant performances, engaging productions, and memorable cinematic moments as the year continues.