The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Pictures‘ sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie rose from #2 back to #1 in its fourth weekend. It sold 258,000 tickets and earned ¥360,360,530 (≈ US$2.26 million) from Friday to Sunday, bringing its total to 4.66 million tickets and ¥6,436,820,000 (≈ US$40.47 million) overall.
The film opened at the top of the Japanese box office, moving 1.121 million tickets and ¥1,601,093,600 (≈ US$9.96 million) in its first three days.
It debuted in the United States and the United Kingdom on April 1, rolled out to select territories on April 3, and arrived in Japan on April 24.
Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and Nintendo’s representative director Shigeru Miyamoto again produced the sequel. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, along with screenwriter Matthew Fogel, returned from the first film, and composer Brian Tyler provided the score once more.
Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi (Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway), the 29th film in the long‑running franchise, held steady at #3 in its sixth weekend. It sold 223,000 tickets and earned ¥340,946,300 (≈ US$2.14 million) from Friday to Sunday, bringing its cumulative total to 8.10 million tickets and ¥11,954,329,900 (≈ US$75.16 million).
The film set a new opening‑weekend record for the series, selling 2,318,009 tickets and grossing ¥3,502,137,800 (≈ US$21.9 million) in its first three days, and debuted at #1 in Japan.
The story focuses on Kanagawa police officer Chihaya Hagiwara, leader of the motorcycle division. Miyuki Sawashiro now provides her voice, replacing the late Atsuko Tanaka. The film also features inspector Jugo Yokomizo, teen detective Masumi Sera, Chihaya’s late brother Kenji Hagiwara, and Kenji’s academy classmate Jinpei Matsuda.
The live‑action adaptation of Mitsuhiro Mizuno and Akira Ōtani’s manga Shōjiki Fudōsan (The Honest Realtor) opened at #4 this weekend, earning ¥179,443,360 (≈ US$1.13 million) in its first three days. The film premiered in Japan on May 15.
The series began as a TV drama in 2022, added a special episode in 2023, and returned for a second season in 2024. Mizuno and Ōtani’s manga originally appeared in Shogakukan’s Big Comic in 2017, and the 24th compiled volume was released on May 8.
The live‑action version of Yuuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days slipped from #4 to #5 in its third weekend, bringing in ¥168,091,300 (≈ US$1.05 million) from Friday to Sunday. It has sold a total of 1.57 million tickets and earned ¥2,186,834,700 (≈ US$13.75 million) overall.
Opening weekend saw the film rank at #4, selling 346,000 tickets and grossing ¥478 million (≈ US$3.05 million) in its first three days. During the eight‑day Golden Week run, it moved 1.14 million tickets and ¥1.5 billion (≈ US$9.58 million).
The movie debuted in Japan on April 29 and is also presented in the panoramic ScreenX format at 27 theaters nationwide.
Viz Media and MANGA Plus are releasing the manga in English digitally.
Snow Man member Ren Meguro portrays Tarō Sakamoto, while Fumiya Takahashi plays Shin Asakura. Aya Ueto appears as Tarō’s wife Aoi, and Miyu Yoshimoto plays daughter Hana. Supporting cast includes Mayū Yokota, Junki Tozuka, Akihisa Shiono, and Keisuke Watanabe. Takumi Kitamura, Yūsei Yagi, and Meru Nukumi portray the Order assassins Nagumo, Shishiba, and Osaragi respectively.
Director Yūichi Fukuda (known for live‑action Gintama and Under Ninja) handled direction and script. Action direction was by Keiya Tabuchi. Production is by CREDEUS in partnership with Avex Pictures.
The “File 1” instalment of the Patlabor EZY project opened at #8 this weekend, pulling in ¥99,744,820 (≈ US$627 000) over its first three days. The film debuted on May 15.
The anime will span eight episodes, released theatrically as three films. “File 1” (May 15) and “File 2” (August 14) cover the first six episodes in an omnibus format, while “File 3” (scheduled for March 2027) will present the final two episodes as a two‑part story.
Set in the 2030s, the series depicts a Japan grappling with labor shortages and widespread AI automation. Traditional piloted “Labors” have become commonplace, and many are now being replaced by autonomous robots. The SV‑2 unit continues its mission of preventing Labor‑related crimes, now equipped with upgraded SV‑98 Ingrams.
Mechanical designer Yutaka Izubuchi (known for Patlabor) directs the anime at J.C. Staff. Scriptwriter Kazunori Itō (of Patlabor the Mobile Police) provides the screenplay. Character designer Masami Yuuki, the original creator, handles the designs, while chief animation director and character designer Takamitsu Satō (known for Lostorage incited WIXOSS) oversees animation. Composer Kenji Kawai returns to score the project. Production is led by GENCO’s Tarō Maki>, with CG work from GAZEN. The original story credit goes to the HEADGEAR group.
The opening theme “Reimei Compass” (Daybreak Compass) is performed by Mori Calliope, and the ending “Baton” is sung by Mariko Nagai.
The Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Yotsuba Keishō‑hen (Irregular at Magic High School – Yotsuba Succession Arc) fell from #5 to #10 in its second weekend, earning ¥62,995,120 (≈ US$396 000) from Friday to Sunday and a total gross of ¥265,415,460 (≈ US$1.66 million). The film opened at #5, selling roughly 89,000 tickets and taking in ¥152,764,200 (≈ US$967 000) during its first three days.
Director Jimmy Stone helmed the picture for 8‑Bit, with music by Taku Iwasaki. The original story credit goes to Tsutomu Satō, and character designs were provided by Kana Ishida.
Returning cast includes Yūichi Nakamura as Tatsuya Shiba, Saori Hayami as Miyuki Shiba, Chiwa Saitō as Maya Yotsuba, and Emiri Katō as Fumiya Kuroba. New additions feature Daisuke Ono as Katsushige Shibata and Ai Kayano as Yuuka Tsukuba.
Theme song “YES” is performed by LiSA.
The 3D Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club Bloom Garden Party film slipped off the top‑10 in its second weekend but still earned ¥38,863,010 (≈ US$244 300) from Friday to Sunday, bringing its total to ¥164,487,630 (≈ US$1.03 million).
Shingo Yamashita’s Cosmic Princess Kaguya! continues to earn modestly, pulling ¥27,652,100 (≈ US$173 800) from Friday to Sunday in its 13th weekend and a cumulative ¥2,526,627,600 (≈ US$15.88 million).
Sources: Kōgyō Tsūshin, link 2, comScore via KOFIC
