Combining
the accessibility of streaming with the traditional cinema experience has just
paid off massively. The official distributor confirmed this Monday,
April 20, that the original anime film Cosmic Princess
Kaguya! (Cho Kaguya-hime!) It has surpassed the impressive 2
billion yen mark in box office takings, also managing to sell more
than 1 million tickets. This milestone consolidates the film as one
of the most profitable releases of the year, demonstrating that Japanese
audiences continue to bet on original stories on the big screen.
The
masterminds behind musical success
Since the
official statement focused purely on financial performance and did not detail
the voice cast, the credit for this phenomenon falls heavily on its production
team. The film is the result of the collaboration between Studio
Colorido and Studio Chromato, bringing together a staff of creatives
who knew how to mix folklore with digital aesthetics. Here are the
technical managers who led the project:
- Shingo Yamashita taking on the role of
general director and co-writer.
The
creative makes his debut as a director of a feature film after shining
directing opening sequences in the industry.
- Saeri Natsuo working on the
composition of the script.
Co-main
writer in charge of spinning the dynamic between the real world and virtual
space.
- Akihiro Nagae and Hechima in
character design.
Responsible
for grounding the modern and colorful aesthetic that characterizes the two
protagonists.
- Conisch in charge of the
soundtrack.
The
composer behind the fantasy musical section that has gone
viral on the internet.
From a
limited release to the dominance of the billboard
The
commercial strategy of this installment was highly unusual. Originally, the
film was released worldwide through Netflix on January 22.
Almost a month later, on February 20, a limited screening began in just 19
movie theaters in Japan, designed to last only one week. However, the demand
was so overwhelming that by March 13 distribution expanded to more than 100
screens, allowing it to remain in the top 5 of the Japanese box office for
its eighth consecutive weekend. To encourage attendance, exclusive gifts have
been distributed, such as a collectible transparent card based on a music video
that already exceeds 16 million views.
What
secret is the idol who fell from the Moon hiding?
The plot
introduces us to Iroha Sakayori, a 17-year-old high school student
from Tokyo who lives overwhelmed between school and her part-time jobs. His
only emotional outlet is the virtual space Tsukuyomi, where he
fervently follows the famous streamer Yachiyo Runami. One night, on her way
home, Iroha finds a lamp post emitting iridescent flashes and discovers a baby
at her feet. After taking her home, the girl grows at a supernatural rate until
she reaches the age of Iroha, proclaiming herself as Princess Kaguya herself.
Taking
advantage of the Tsukuyomi platform, the two form an unstoppable duo: Iroha
takes on the role of producer and songwriter, while Kaguya takes the microphone
as singer and streamer. However, as her online fame soars and their bond
tightens, dark otherworldly forces begin to move in the shadows, determined to
take Kaguya back to the Moon at any cost.
