An interactive anime film has rewritten the rules of limited theatrical releases in Japan, with “Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle” earning JPY2.5 billion ($16.5 million) despite averaging fewer than 60 screens throughout its run — making it the first Japanese film to reach this revenue milestone on such a narrow release.
The film, part of the “Hypnosismic” franchise, was developed at King Records in 2017 and involves a world where weapons have been banned and men must fight for supremacy through rap battles. The “Hypnosismic” universe has already diversified into music, radio dramas, manga, stage productions, games and anime series.
The film, one of Japan’s first interactive movies, involves a new rap battle. The story and the winner of the contest, known as the Third Division Rap Battle, vary at each different screening, with the outcomes driven by real-time polling of the audience members using their smartphones.
The Toho-distributed, King Records-produced feature launched Feb.
AloJapan.com