The Cosmic Princess Kaguya! anime movie, which opened in just 19 locations on February 20, has managed to place fifth in the February 20 to February 22 Japanese weekend box office ranking, reports Kogyo Tsushin.
According to a press release, the film drew 148,067 moviegoers and made more than 291 million yen (~US$1.87 million) in its first four days at the Japanese box office. A lyric video for its main theme song “Ex-Otogibanashi” was released to commemorate its success.
A few days earlier, it was announced that Cosmic Princess Kaguya! was adding eight more screening locations and would extend its theatrical period beyond the original plan of one week. From February 27, the screenings will include the “ray Cho Kaguya-hime! Version” (“ray Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” Version”) music video that contains new animated footage and post-movie events.
The movie’s popularity in Japan was previously reflected by its ranking on Netlifx, where it debuted worldwide on January 22. In its home country, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! has taken the second pot in the Top 10 Movies list for four weeks running (January 26 to February 22).
Furthermore, a virtual appreciation event was announced recently and is planned to take place in VRChat in the middle of the year.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is a near future-set yuri retelling of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter with elements inspired by modern entertainment culture. Shingo Yamashita (Pokétoon chief director; opening storyboard artist and director for Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1, and more) directed the film in his feature directorial debut. Vocaloid producers ryo (supercell), 40mP, HoneyWorks, yuigot, Aqu3ra, and kz(livetune contributed to the movie’s soundtrack.
The synopsis reads:
Tsukuyomi is a virtual realm where hopes and dreams come together. Iroha Sakayori, a 17-year-old high school student in Tokyo, leads an extremely busy life trying to balance part-time work and academics. She finds peace by watching a popular streamer named Yachiyo Runami, who is the administrator of an online virtual space called Tsukuyomi. Iroha frequents Tsukuyomi, where people can live different lives and freely pursue their creativity, and she passes the time by supporting Yachiyo and playing battle game to earn a little extra money.
On her way home one day, Iroha finds a telephone pole shining with iridescent hues. To her surprise, an adorable baby emerges from the pole. Unable to abandon it, Iroha takes the infant home and watches her rapidly grow into a girl her own age.
“Are you Princess Kaguya?” The grown-up Kaguya develops a self-indulgent personality. At Kaguya’s fervent request, Iroha helps her start streaming in Tsukuyomi. With Iroha as producer and songwriter and Kaguya as streamer and singer, the two grow steadily closer. Little do they know that ominous forces lie in wait, eager to take Kaguya back to the moon.
This is the tale of Princess Kaguya as never seen before.
Aside from Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, the anime films that appeared in the February 20 to February 22 Japanese weekend box office ranking were Shingekijoban Gintama -Yoshiwara Daienjo- (third), Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (sixth), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (seventh), and Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express — Kakuekiteisha Gekijo Iki (10th).
Sources: Kogyo Tsushin, press release
