[Focus] Why Are Japanese Anime Penetrating So Fiercely?

'Slam Dunk', 'Guikyal', 'Suzume'
Japanese Animations Released One After Another
Common Denominator: Clear Content Targets and Interests

Japanese animated films are gaining popularity one after another in South Korea. Unlike previous animations that targeted niche fans or young children and teenagers, there is now a strong momentum rapidly penetrating the domestic box office.

Following 'The First Slam Dunk,' which surpassed 3.72 million viewers, the popular series 'Demon Slayer' started at number one at the box office. 'Suzume no Tojimari,' which attracted 10 million viewers in Japan, will arrive on the 8th.

Unwavering Popularity of Slam Dunk

[Photo by Yonhap News]

'The First Slam Dunk,' released on January 4, has attracted over 3.75 million cumulative viewers and continues to be popular. Even two months after its release, audiences keep coming, and the enthusiasm shows no signs of cooling down.

The film's popularity has extended to sales of books, merchandise, and uniforms, significantly impacting the domestic cultural industry.

'The First Slam Dunk' is a theatrical version of Slam Dunk, first introduced in South Korea in 1992, with author Takehiko Inoue participating as director. Famous lines such as "The left hand is just for show" and "I want to play basketball" are well-known even to those who have never read the original work. The film depicts the appearance of the five main characters from Buk San High School as well as the story of Song Tae-seop, which was not revealed in the original.

The film ranked second in the domestic box office for Japanese animation, and it is expected to break the highest box office record by surpassing the number one film 'Your Name.' (3.8 million viewers).

Immortal 'Demon Slayer'

[Photo by D'station Co., Ltd.]

'Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc' opened on the 2nd with about 60,000 viewers on its first day, starting at number one at the box office. It depicts the climax of 'Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc' and the 'Swordsmith Village Arc' episode 1, 'Gathering of the Upper Moons.'

Following the domestic release of 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted 2.18 million viewers and caused a sensation, the series is once again gaining momentum at the box office.

Before its release, the theatrical advanced screening of episodes 10 and 11 of 'Demon Slayer' TV anime season 2 'Entertainment District Arc' and episode 1 of 'Swordsmith Village Arc' drew attention. Fans are expected to continue flocking to see these screenings for some time.

Triple 10 Million Director Makoto Shinkai Arrives

[Photo by Media Castle]

'Suzume no Tojimari,' which was invited to the competition section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and attracted attention, will be released domestically on the 8th. It opened in Japan on November 11 last year, attracting 1.33 million viewers on its first day.

Makoto Shinkai, who attracted triple 10 million viewers in Japan with 'Your Name.' (2017), 'Weathering with You' (2019), and now 'Suzume no Tojimari,' is expected to visit South Korea and raise interest.

The film tells the story of a girl named Suzume who accidentally opens a door that causes disasters and desperately closes doors to prevent disasters occurring across Japan. The protagonist Suzume always makes courageous choices amid hardships, confronts her past self, and grows one step further. She resonates as an icon of courage and growth.

"It's Not a Japanese Animation Boom," Voices in Unison

While Korean films continue to struggle, Japanese animation has recently been achieving solid box office success domestically. This is quite different from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic atmosphere. Why is that?

A film industry insider said, "Japan traditionally has strong animation IP (intellectual property) and has expanded it into various forms such as films even before the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "This should be viewed separately from the recent popularity in domestic theaters." He emphasized, "Except for their Japanese nationality, it is hard to find commonalities among the three films. It is difficult to say there is a Japanese animation boom."

He continued, "'The First Slam Dunk' succeeded by stimulating nostalgia among viewers in their 30s and 40s who grew up reading the original manga, 'Demon Slayer' attracted interest from male viewers in their teens and twenties who are fans of the original, and 'Suzume no Tojimari' is expected to gain attention from fans who have enjoyed Makoto Shinkai's well-made films."

The insider also said, "Looking at the films gaining popularity recently in theaters, they feel like they break away from the usual formula. Films with clear targets and interesting content will continue to succeed for the time being." He added, "Unlike before, the market is unpredictable even for experts, and it will likely remain so for a while."