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| ▲ This photo, provided by LOCUS VFX STUDIO, shows a scene from 'Suzume.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This file photo shows Makoto Shinkai during the press conference held in S. Korea. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Yonhap) -- Japanese animated blockbuster “Suzume” has broken the all-time high box office record for Japanese films released in Korea, formerly set by “The First Slam Dunk,” only 40 days after its release.
Per Korea Film Council, Makoto Shinkai’s mystery-fantasy anime raked in more than 4,482,000 admissions as of Friday.
This red-hot anime reached such an impressive number only 38 days after its release on March 8, going well beyond the previous record of 4,469,000 admissions set by “The First Slam Dunk.”
The basketball animation, which used to sit at the forefront, previously snatched the No.1 title from Shinkai’s 2017 project “Your Name.” only 61 days after its release on January 4 and became the most-watched Japanese film released in Korea. However, Shinkai’s new project now became the biggest Japanese film ever, with 4,482,000 moviegoers watching in the first 40 days.
“Suzume,” which has been reckoned the third part of an apocalyptic trilogy featured by director Shinkai along with “Your Name.” and “Weathering with You,” follows the story of the titular protagonist Suzume who discovers portal doors that bring disaster to the places they appear in. She and Souta, a young man who turned into a chair, try to close those doors.
Shinkai’s third project, which is also based on the Great East Japan Earthquake that hit the archipelago in 2011, has been dominating the local box office since the day of its release: The anime surpassed 1 million admissions only six days after its release and soon gathered 2 million moviegoers on its 13th day of release, followed by 3 million on the 20th day and 4 million on the 31st day. The anime will now be earning the honorable title of the all-time high box office record in its sixth week of release.
Behind the grandiose of “Suzume” are eye-catching visual effects, which are reckoned an iconic feature of Shinkai’s works, as well as the emotional background music and messages of comfort the anime sends for those overcoming the disaster.
The Japanese legendary director, also dubbed the Magician of Light, touts a solid fanbase in South Korea, which was witnessed by his second project “Your Name.” accumulating 3.61 million audiences in 2017.
Shinkai, who made his visit to Korea early last month, will be visiting once again for two days from April 27 to celebrate and thank the success of his third project.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)
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