Detective Conan continues its reign at the Japanese box office, while a biscuit-based adventure makes a sweet debut! Here’s the latest on the films captivating audiences in Japan.
Conan’s “One-Eyed Flashback” Still Dominates
“Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback,” the 28th film in the beloved anime franchise, has maintained its number-one position for the third consecutive weekend. During the Golden Week holiday period (May 2-4, 2025), the film earned an impressive 1.422 billion yen (approximately $9.9 million USD) with 969,000 admissions, a mere 15% drop from the previous weekend.
A Box Office Juggernaut
As of May 6, 2025, “One-eyed Flashback” has grossed a total of 10.4 billion yen ($72.34 million USD) with 7.26 million admissions. This marks the third consecutive Conan film to surpass the 10 billion yen milestone, following “Black Iron Submarine” in 2023 and “The Million-dollar Pentagram” in 2024. The film’s success places it at #43 in the all-time Japanese box office rankings, surpassing “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time”.
A Record-Breaking Opening
“Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback” had a record-breaking opening weekend, earning $24.1 million (¥3.43 billion) from 2.31 million admissions. This surpassed the previous record held by “Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram”. The film opened in 522 theaters across Japan, the widest release in the franchise’s history.
What’s the Secret to Conan’s Enduring Appeal?
The “Detective Conan” series, created by Gosho Aoyama, has been captivating audiences for decades. The manga launched in 1994 and is still ongoing, with over 1,100 episodes in the television anime adaptation. The films often feature real-life locations that become tourist hotspots for fans.
“One-eyed Flashback” is directed by Katsuya Shigehara and written by Takeharu Sakurai. The film is set in Nagano Prefecture and revolves around a series of mysterious events and murders. The theme song, “Twilight!!!” is performed by King Gnu.
“Tabekko Dōbutsu” Arrives in Theaters!
“Tabekko Dōbutsu: THE MOVIE,” based on the popular animal-shaped biscuit snack, made its debut at #5. The film was released on May 1, 2025.
A Biscuit-Based Adventure
“Tabekko Dōbutsu” biscuits, released in 1978, are a beloved snack in Japan and worldwide. The biscuits are shaped like animals with the alphabet printed on them, promoting “delicious, fun, and learning through eating”.
The film features the cute Tabekko Doubutsu characters on a grand, action-packed adventure. Lion, Elephant, Hippo, Monkey, Rabbit, Cat, Giraffe, Crocodile, and Chick all make an appearance as they fight to save the world from destruction.
The Cast and Crew
“Tabekko Dōbutsu: THE MOVIE” is directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo. The cast includes Genta Matsuda as Lion, Koshi Mizukami as Elephant, and Akari Takaishi as Pegasus.
Other Notable Films
Here’s a quick look at how other films are performing at the Japanese box office:
- “A Minecraft Movie” held the second position.
- “Thunderbolts*” debuted at third place.
- “Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Art World Tales” dropped to ninth place in its ninth weekend.
In Conclusion
“Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback” continues its successful run, captivating audiences and breaking records. Meanwhile, “Tabekko Dōbutsu: THE MOVIE” offers a sweet and family-friendly alternative. With a diverse range of films in theaters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Japanese box office!
