©ナガノ / 2026「映画ちいかわ」製作委員会
Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island), the initial anime film adaptation based on Nagano‘s Chiikawa manga, slipped from the top spot to #2 during its second weekend. Over the Friday-to-Sunday period, the movie moved 766,000 tickets and brought in 1,072,085,100 yen (roughly US$6.79 million). This brings its overall box office performance to 3.05 million tickets sold and a cumulative gross of 4,402,890,200 yen (around US$27.89 million).
Following its July 24 premiere, the feature immediately secured the #1 position for its opening weekend. Opening day alone generated 990 million yen (approximately US$6.05 million), while the first three days accumulated 1,508,500 ticket sales and 2,240,333,500 yen (about US$13.70 million).
The cinematic project adapts the manga storyline serialized on X (formerly Twitter) between March and November 2023, widely recognized by fans as the “Island Arc” or “Siren Arc.”
The plot kicks off as Chiikawa and Hachiware relax, only for a rabbit bearing a flyer on its face to suddenly approach them. Inspecting the paper, Hachiware discovers an “Invitation to a special island” promising generous bounties for straightforward hunting tasks alongside complimentary local delicacies like spicy-sweet island ramen and special edition sweets. Enticed by the offer, Chiikawa and company set sail for the destination, accompanied by a wary Rakko who suspects something is amiss. What kind of fate awaits them upon arrival?
Original creator Nagano is credited for the story concepts and screenplay writing. Directed by Kei Oikawa (Uma Musume Pretty Derby seasons 1–3, Hinamatsuri, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax) under Nagano‘s supervision at Cygames Pictures, the movie is produced by QTORY inc. and distributed via TOHO.
Makoto Tanaka, the voice actor for Hachiware, performs the opening theme “Kutsuzure” (Blister), featuring lyrics penned by franchise creator Nagano.
Additionally, Momoka Terasawa and Sayumi Suzushiro portray Hitoha and Futaba, respectively, two mysterious island residents encountered by the main cast.
© 臼井儀人／双葉社・シンエイ・テレビ朝日・ADK 2026
Eiga Crayon Shin-chan Kikikaikai! Ora no Yōkai Bake-shon (Crayon Shin-chan The Movie Super Strange! My Yōkai Monster Vacation), marking the 33rd two-dimensional cinematic outing for the franchise, debuted at #3 during its opening weekend. The feature drew 441,000 spectators and collected 539,371,500 yen (roughly US$3.41 million) across its first three days.
The film hit Japanese theaters on July 31.
The storyline takes place in a supernatural realm known as the “land of yōkai.” While visiting Hiroshi’s home prefecture of Akita for a prominent summer fireworks celebration, the Nohara family becomes entangled in an emergency when various spirits break out of their domain, threatening chaos across Akita and beyond. To resolve the crisis, the family journeys into the spirit world, embarking on an unpredictable escapade through a landscape that feels simultaneously eerie and nostalgic.
Sairi Itō takes on the guest role of Yako, a nine-tailed fox spirit. Meanwhile, Sakamoto from the comedy duo Mayurika voices the Squid Yōkai, who plays first base for the Edomae Sushies—a baseball team that challenges Shin-chan and his friends to a match.
The supporting cast features returning talent including Yumiko Kobayashi, Miki Narahashi, Toshiyuki Morikawa, and Satomi Koorogi.
Directorial duties were handled by Masaki Watanabe (Battle Spirits: Heroes, Sakamoto Days), with scripts provided by Yoshiko Nakamura (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- series, PriPara). Production was managed by Shinei Animation, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions, and Futabasha, while TOHO distributes the project. The theme song, “Otona ni Nattara” (When I Become an Adult), is performed by vocalist TOMOO.
© 原泰久／集英社 © 2026映画「キングダム」製作委員会
Kingdom: Tamashii no Kessen (Decisive Battle of the Soul), the fifth live-action movie inspired by Yasuhisa Hara‘s manga masterpiece, shifted from #3 down to #5 during its third weekend. The feature pulled in 452,595,500 yen (roughly US$2.86 million) between Friday and Sunday, bringing its cumulative statistics to 2.77 million tickets sold and a total gross of 4,300,362,500 yen (around US$27.24 million).
During its initial three-day opening run, the picture sold 993,000 tickets for 1,584,148,300 yen (about US$9.67 million). Factoring in the July 20 Marine Day holiday, the four-day totals reached 1,315,000 admissions and 2.064 billion yen (approximately US$12.59 million).
The film officially premiered across Japan on July 17.
Yasuhisa Hara‘s historical epic follows the journey of Xin, an orphaned slave boy striving to become a supreme general for the Qin state. Teaming up with the young monarch Ying Zheng—who shares a parallel ambition to unify the turbulent nation—Xin pushes his limits to command formidable armies capable of conquering all Seven Warring States.
Director Shinsuke Satō (live-action Gantz, Death Note Light up the NEW world, live-action Bleach) returned behind the camera. The script was co-written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa (Black Butler, Golden Kamuy) and Hara, while Yutaka Yamada provided the musical composition.
The franchise began with the initial live-action film’s release in April 2019, which finished its run with 5.73 billion yen (about US$53.2 million). Funimation subsequently showcased it at Anime Expo in July 2019 before giving it a broader North American theatrical run that August. A sequel, Kingdom II: Harukanaru Daichi e (To Distant Lands), arrived in July 2022 and earned 5.16 billion yen (roughly US$37.8 million), claiming the title of the highest-earning Japanese live-action release for that year.
The third installment launched in July 2023, debuting at #1 with the strongest opening weekend of the series thus far. A fourth movie followed on July 12, 2024, and was subsequently added to Netflix‘s streaming library in January 2025.
Elsewhere on the charts, the crossover feature Kamen Rider Zeztz & Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity W Hero Natsu Eiga 2026 dropped from #5 to #10 over its second weekend. It gathered 53,731,690 yen (about US$340,300) from Friday through Sunday, raising its cumulative earnings to 298,337,590 yen (roughly US$1.88 million).
Sources: Kōgyō Tsūshin (link 2), comScore via KOFIC