Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume no Tojimari has beaten the box office records of his two previous films in its opening weekend.
As reported by Anime News Network, Suzume No Tojimari surpassed the ticket sales and earnings of Shinkai’s your name and Weathering with You. Suzume premiered in Japan on Nov. 11 and became Shinkai’s strongest opening weekend. The new film sold 38.7 percent more tickets and earned 47.4 percent greater than 2016’s your name. Additionally, Suzume sold 14.8 percent more tickets and earned 14.4 percent greater than 2019’s Weathering with You.
Suzume’s Movie Boosted Sales of the Novel
On Oct. 28, the first 12 minutes of Suzume aired in Japan. Previously, the production released multiple trailers ahead of the film’s release date, including its popular theme song, “Suzume,” by TikTok singer Toaka. While people outside Japan cannot watch Suzume yet, the manga began serialization in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine on Oct. 25. Shinkai also wrote the film’s novelization, which sold over 350,000 copies before Suzume’s opening weekend.
CoMix Wave Films, producer of Suzume, describes the film’s story: “On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—
17-year-old Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, ‘I’m looking for a door.’ What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly mesmerized by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob…”
“Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. The stars. The sunset. The morning sky Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky— Drawn in by this mysterious door, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.”
Shinkai serves as the director and screenwriter, and your name’s Masayoshi Tanaka is behind the character designs. Additionally, your name’s Kenichi Tsuchiya serves as the animation director and Takumi Tanij as the art director. As for the cast, Nanoka Hara makes her voice-acting debut as the lead character. Alongside Hara is Saito Itō (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!), Shōta Sometani (BELLE), Hokuto Matsumura (live-action xxxHOLiC), and Kana Hanazawa (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story).
Suzume No Tojimaru is currently playing in theaters across Japan. The film will arrive on Crunchyroll in early 2023.
Source: Anime News Network
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