The animated feature film King of Prism -Your Endless Call-, a new installment in the popular King of Prism franchise, has once again captivated audiences, re-entering the top 10 at the Japanese box office. This notable achievement underscores the enduring appeal and dedicated fanbase of the series, known for its unique audience engagement.
A Franchise Built on Fan Devotion and “Cheer Screenings”
The King of Prism series, a spin-off from the Pretty Rhythm multimedia franchise, has cultivated a fervent following since its inception. The franchise first debuted with King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm in January 2016, which, despite an initial limited release, saw its popularity surge through word-of-mouth and social media. This unexpected success led to the film expanding its screenings nationwide and ultimately grossing approximately ¥800 million.
A key factor in the franchise’s sustained box office performance is the phenomenon of “cheer screenings” (応援上映, ōen jōei). These interactive screenings encourage audience participation, allowing viewers to cheer, sing along, and shout responses to the characters on screen. This unique cinematic experience, widely popularized by King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm, fosters a strong communal atmosphere and often prompts enthusiastic fans to attend multiple showings of the same film, significantly contributing to its box office longevity.
Previous films in the series, such as King of Prism: Pride the Hero (June 2017), also demonstrated remarkable box office strength, opening at an impressive #7 nationwide despite a limited theater count and ultimately earning over ¥600 million. The compilation film King of Prism All Stars -Prism Show☆Best Ten- was released in January 2020. More recently, King of Prism -Dramatic PRISM.1- (August 2024), another compilation film, surpassed 400 million yen in cumulative box office gross as of November 21.
Your Endless Call‘s Resurgence at the Box Office
King of Prism -Your Endless Call- Minna Kirameki! Prism☆Tours, the latest cinematic offering in the franchise, was released on June 27, 2025. Its recent climb back into the top 10 of the Japanese box office charts highlights its immediate impact and continued drawing power. This re-entry signifies a strong performance, particularly for an anime film in a competitive market.
The success of King of Prism -Your Endless Call- can be attributed to the established foundation of the franchise. The loyal fanbase consistently supports its releases, often driving films to achieve extended runs and unexpected chart positions. The interactive nature of “cheer screenings” further amplifies this support, transforming a regular movie outing into a communal event that encourages repeat viewings and strong fan engagement.
Significance for the Anime Film Industry
The consistent strong performance of the King of Prism films, including the recent success of King of Prism -Your Endless Call-, serves as a testament to the power of niche marketing and dedicated fan communities within the Japanese anime film industry. While not always achieving the highest opening weekend numbers, these films often exhibit remarkable resilience and longevity at the box office, fueled by the unique ways fans choose to engage with the content. This phenomenon continues to influence distribution strategies and fan engagement models within the broader entertainment landscape.
