Anime Dominates Japan’s Theaters While Hollywood Fades From Sight
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Six of Japan’s top ten films at the box-office were recently anime or anime-related
No Hollywood movies ranked among last weekend’s biggest hits
Classic reissues like Princess Mononoke and Evangelion found new life on the big screen
Global Anime Wave Keeps Rising
Anime is now one of the strongest forces at the global box office. Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc debuted at number one in the United States last weekend, joining the ranks of past anime blockbusters like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. As Hollywood struggles to capture audience interest, both in the U.S. and Japan, anime’s mix of originality, artistry, and emotional storytelling continues to draw crowds to theaters worldwide.
This marks a dramatic shift from just a few decades ago, when Western films dominated Japanese cinemas. In the 1980s and 1990s, massive hits like E.T., Jurassic Park, and Titanic regularly topped the country’s box office, while local productions often took a back seat. Even into the early 2000s, Spider-Man and The Lord of the Rings were household names across Japan. But that balance began to change with the rise of Studio Ghibli and the breakout success of Spirited Away in 2001, followed years later by Your Name in 2016. Now, anime has not only caught up to Hollywood, it has surpassed it.
Japan Mirrors the Trend at Home
That same momentum is mirrored in Japan, where anime once again dominates the domestic box office. According to the box office figures in Japan, six of the top ten films last weekend were either anime or anime-inspired releases. At number one was Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc, the highly anticipated movie adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark and unpredictable manga. Produced by MAPPA, the film extends the studio’s remarkable run of theatrical success following Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Attack on Titan: The Final Season.
Following close behind was the live action remake of 5 Centimeters per Second, directed by Makoto Shinkai, with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Castle Arc Chapter 1 – Akaza Returns landing firmly in third place. The latter marks the first installment of a new trilogy, proving that the Demon Slayer franchise still has unmatched staying power.
Old Favorites Roar Back to Life
In a sign of how deeply anime continues to shape Japan’s cultural landscape, reissues of Princess Mononoke (originally released in 1997) and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) both made the top five. Their strong performance shows that even older anime films can outperform brand new releases when presented in remastered formats. The renewed success of these titles highlights the lasting emotional and artistic power of anime classics that continue to draw audiences decades later.
Asian Pop Culture Keeps the Spotlight in Japan
Zombie Land Saga: Yumegin ga Paradise! continued to represent anime in the rankings, appealing to fans of idol comedies, while Delicious School Lunch: School Trip of Flames, a live action spinoff of a popular TV series, drew audiences with its mix of humor and heartfelt school drama. The concert documentary ONE IN A MILL10N, celebrating the tenth anniversary of Korean girl group TWICE, also performed strongly, showing the enduring crossover appeal of Asian pop culture in Japanese theaters.
Anime Defines Modern Cinema
With zero Hollywood titles cracking the top ten, Japan’s current box office paints a clear picture of where local audiences are investing their attention: stories born from anime, manga, and homegrown creative voices. From Chainsaw Man’s chaotic action to the enduring legacy of Princess Mononoke, Japanese theaters are once again proving that anime isn’t just popular, it is defining modern cinema itself.
