The weekend didn't make the threshold (¥3 billion) to appear on the Biggest Aggregated Weekends (Top 10) chart. Hollywood, Western films are just disappointing too much or are outright bombing to make the Top 10s much stronger. (I'll have a post about this new reality in a week or so.)

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 accounted for 70.2% of the Top 10 this past weekend. This is very high, probably among the Top 5/10 surely. I don't have a chart for this, but Demon Slayer probably holds the Top 3 spots (86% - 1st weekend, 85% - second weekend, 80% - third weekend).

JJK0's Friday:Opening Weekend ratio is very, very high. Friday's are still considered weekdays (they're not even the biggest weekday, Monday and Wednesday are), so they're not very big generally. Friday tends to account for 10-20% of the 3-Day Weekend, but can sometimes approach 25/30% for fan-driven films (think Star Wars). JJK0 hit a 39.6%(!) share on its Friday.

JJK0, however, had such a high Friday (more than double any film ever besides Demon Slayer) though because Dec. 24th was a special date for the fans (the events in the film take place on Dec. 24th), so they swarmed theaters ahead of the weekend. It's the only major opener to ever have a Friday bigger than its Saturday or Sunday.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - Daily Tracker

12/24 (Fri.): ¥1,072,252,950 ($9.39 million) / 772,224
12/25 (Sat.): ¥892,008,700 ($7.81 million) / 626,110
12/26 (Sun.): ¥729,866,500 ($6.39 million) / 509,719
12/27 (Mon.): ¥385,000,000 ($3.34 million) / 280,000 *est.*
12/28 (Tues.): ¥400,000,000 ($3.50 million) / 280,000 *est.*

5-Day Total: ~¥3,479,128,150 ($30.43 million) / 2,468,053 *est.*

Very, very impressive Tuesday. It matched Monday almost to the exact admission (about 500 more), and since Monday is Aeon Cinema Day, Tuesday's gross will be higher. Wednesday will very likely be even bigger.

There was a big snowstorm that affected parts of Japan from Sunday-Tuesday, so it's possible Monday was stunted a tiny bit which pushed some business to Tuesday. But we're also getting closer to New Year, so more High Schools/Universities and businesses will be closing (most will tomorrow, and the rest on Thursday), so that could have played a role as well.

Wednesday reservations at Toho Shinjuku. Probably around ~60-65% or so sold out for the entire day before shows begin. (I'm not comparing it to the weekend! Just showing that Wednesday is going to be bigger than either Monday or Tuesday.)

Based on its current pace, the film should exceed the ¥5 billion milestone on either Saturday or Sunday, its 9th or 10th day in release. Saturday (9th day) is looking much more likely, but let's keep Sunday in consideration until we know for sure.

This list used to belong to films from 2001-2004, with the Top 5 formally consisting only of films released between those years, but 2020 and 2021 broke that up by taking the Top 2 spots after 16/17 years!

Fastest Films to ¥5 billion (Blockbuster Milestone):

4 days - Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020)
9 or 10 days - Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021) *Projection*
10 days - Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
11 days - The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
12 days - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
13 days - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
13 days - Spirited Away (2001)
14 days - Weathering With You (2019)
14 days - Beauty and the Beast (2017)
14 days - Your Name. (2016)
14 days - Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
14 days - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
14 days - Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge! (2003)
15 days - Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
15 days - Jurassic World (2015)
15 days - Yo-Kai Watch: It's the Secret of Birth, Nyan! (2014)
15 days - Alice in Wonderland (2010)
15 days - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
16 days - Frozen II (2019)
16 days - Toy Story 4 (2019)
16 days - Aladdin (2019)
16 days - Ponyo (2008)
16 days - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
16 days - The Da Vinci Code (2006)
16 days - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
16 days - Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
17 days - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
17 days - Code Blue (2018)
17 days - Frozen (2014)
17 days - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
17 days - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
17 days - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
18 days - Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet (2021)
18 days - Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire (2019)
18 days - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
18 days - Rookies (2009)
18 days - Spider-Man 3 (2007)
18 days - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
19 days - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
20 days - Umizaru: The Last Message (2010)
21 days - Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (2018)
21 days - The Wind Rises (2013)
21 days - One Piece Film Z (2012)
21 days - Hero (2007)
22 days - Avengers: Endgame (2019)
22 days - Avatar (2009)
22 days - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004)
22 days - Finding Nemo (2003)
22 days - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
22 days - Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
23 days - Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter (2017)
23 days - Big Hero 6 (2014)
23 days - Arrietty (2010)
24 days - Toy Story 3 (2010)
24 days - The Last Samurai (2003)

Wednesday is stronger than Tuesday already over 150K (90K at same time)
Early legs observation were decreasing from Friday like Friday>Saturday>Sunday>Monday.
Now weekdays are like Monday<Tuesday<Wednesday
BTW, EVA fans seems to be determined that the film will not overtake Evangelion 3.0+1.0. Even one explain me that decrease in usual location at mimorin means less likely to reach ¥10B. However, some of them forgotten that Friday was a big day for entire franchise. So, Friday was easily more frontloaded then weekend. And, it's also normal to see an decrease in Sunday from Saturday.

There is no reason to compare this to EVA. Also 10B is pretty much locked up after this opening. Movies in Japan don't collapse specially big ones like Jjk0.

There was a slim chance it could miss ¥10 billion, but the weekdays so far are making that an absolute worst-case scenario now, and it's like <1%. This milestone is never a guarantee with any opening weekend (besides Demon Slayer, I suppose), but the initial weekdays can make it more clear.

Wednesday is currently on track for ¥550 million+ (~$5 million) and ~450,000 admissions. (Taking Wednesday's lower ticket prices into account for Toho Cinemas Day and Ladies' Day). That's a 60% or so jump over Monday and Tuesday, and off just 10-15% of Sunday in admissions. I was expecting a nice bump today, but not that large. That'll put it comfortably above ¥4 billion already (was expecting this mark on Thursday). But, perhaps not *too* shocking since the photos taken over the weekend looked like the female audience share was at least 70% or more, and they come out strong on Wednesdays (which is why it's the biggest weekday).

And the majority of High Schools/Universities will have closed today for New Year, so might be worth keeping an eye on the evening/night business.

Also, the fanbases arguing is just annoying stuff. They're all ugly when they engage in that. It's always good news when films, regardless of franchise, perform well at the box-office. And if one outgrosses another that did well, it's even better.

Also, while JJK0 is totally dominating the box-office right now, it's worth at least briefly mentioning that The Boss Baby 2 has begun to grow as a result of being basically the only family film this year for New Year. It's been up several hundred percent the last couple days, but today may come in above a 500% week-to-week increase.

Some of its dailies this week, obviously including today (which is going to squash its opening Saturday from 2 weeks ago), are going to be bigger than its opening Sat/Sun.

Excellent wednesday. Agreed 5b on sat looks pretty likely with this.

How's 99.9 looking? or is it looking to be underwhelming?

It looks fine to me. It likely won't be a huge hit or anything, it is a Shochiku release and they've only ever had 1 blockbuster (¥5 billion+) in their history, but the few locations I checked for it on Thursday look pretty good. It has some live-viewing shows for its stage greeting, and those are sold out/filled-up nicely. So we'll see. Looks possible to become one of Shochiku's bigger hits. May have ¥2.5/3 billion total potential if I were to make a mostly wild projection at this stage.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - Daily Tracker

12/24 (Fri.): ¥1,072,252,950 ($9.39 million) / 772,224
12/25 (Sat.): ¥892,008,700 ($7.81 million) / 626,110
12/26 (Sun.): ¥729,866,500 ($6.39 million) / 509,719
12/27 (Mon.): ¥385,000,000 ($3.34 million) / 280,000 *est.*
12/28 (Tues.): ¥400,000,000 ($3.50 million) / 280,000 *est.*
12/29 (Wed.): ¥570,000,000 ($4.96 million) / 445,000 *est.*

6-Day Total: ~¥4,049,128,150 ($35.39 million) / 2,913,053 *est.*

A massive Wednesday result, likely fueled by the remaining High Schools/Universities closing for New Year, and more businesses as well, but also from a very high female audience share (OW looked to be ~70/75% female) as they come out strong on Wednesdays.

I don't have a chart for Fastest to ¥4 Billion (it's not reported on generally, like the ¥5 billion milestone), but it's definitely the second fastest film to ever reach the mark, and is definitely on track to break ¥5 billion before all but one film as well.

Toho Shinjuku reservations before showings begin (12/30):



Not quite as strong as Wednesday, but that's normal since Wednesday is the strongest weekday, and still probably ~55-60% full for the entire day before shows begin. Thursday is also generally one of the weaker weekdays, so looking this good and potentially matching/beating Monday or Tuesday is very encouraging. Its pre-opening status at other locations looks good too.

New Year's Eve (Friday) will be the weakest day of the week, as the major celebration day of the season, so Thursday might also benefit from that. (The weekend frame definitely will, especially Saturday.)

99.9 Criminal Lawyer &Jujutsu Kaisen Movie 0 are running parellel in same tens. Nerves are shaking if 99.9 win the day. I will be (╥﹏╥)

Jujutsu Kaisen is going to win the day. A huge portion of 99.9 Lawyer's sales are from its stage greeting/live-viewing broadcasts from very early this morning. I didn't catch them when they went up, but they looked to be 30,000-40,000 strong?

99.9 is doing well otherwise, though. A much needed success to join JJK this New Year after all the Hollywood films underperformed, and Your Turn to Kill, while doing good, isn't a particularly big success either.

I'm going to assume 99.9 is skewing older, both because its stage greeting/live-viewing broadcasts were held very early (8/9am), and because it continues from the TV drama (TV shows typically skew older). So it could "slow down" in the evening. It may also be worth mentioning that Jun Matsumoto (who I believe is Arashi's most popular member) is in the show/film. His presence can bring in a lot of his/the band fans.

The more it does, the better though. JJK0 is massive, but the box office needs something else to boost it further.

Ahead of Monday and Tuesday, but little behind Wednesday. 99.9 Criminal Lawyer is out of sight. Relieved but I think we will not get another gross like yesterday on weekdays.

However, I would like to ask when should distributor expand to 4DX, MX4D and Dolby Cinemas. On 4th weekend or 5th weekend. Corpse, will Demon Slayer distribution strategy work here?

I'd be surprised if they don't give it a 4DX/MX4D and/or Dolby Cinema expansion down the line. The bigger it remains, the more likely it is since they could tie another giveaway in with the expansion. "See it again in 4DX and receive this limited [insert gift] before it's too late!" We'll probably get an update on this in the next week or so if they plan on doing it. Next weekend (Jan. 7/8th, whichever day you want to use) would probably be best since it's a 3-day holiday weekend (Jan. 10th is a national holiday) and the last of the holiday season. Audiences generally come out strong on the final weekend of a holiday period anyway, but an incentive to do so would propel is further.

I'll have JJK's Thursday estimate updated very soon, but 99.9: Criminal Lawyer earned a very impressive ~¥300-350 million ($2.6-3 million) on ~225,000-250,000 admissions on its opening day. This was boosted a bit by its stage greeting/live-viewing broadcasts, but it's definitely a very good start. (This wouldn't have been a bad opening weekend, really, let alone a first day.) I'd say ~¥3-3.5 billion ($25-30 million) is a pretty good number to aim for here. It's pretty rare to have a Shochiku release get this high. Definitely a needed hit for the month.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - Daily Tracker

12/24 (Fri.): ¥1,072,252,950 ($9.39 million) / 772,224
12/25 (Sat.): ¥892,008,700 ($7.81 million) / 626,110
12/26 (Sun.): ¥729,866,500 ($6.39 million) / 509,719
12/27 (Mon.): ¥385,000,000 ($3.34 million) / 280,000 *est.*
12/28 (Tues.): ¥400,000,000 ($3.50 million) / 280,000 *est.*
12/29 (Wed.): ¥570,000,000 ($4.96 million) / 445,000 *est.*
12/30 (Thur.): ¥515,000,000 ($4.47 million) / 360,000 *est.*

7-Day Total: ~¥4,564,128,150 ($39.86 million) / 3,273,053 *est.*

Another huge day. Second fastest film to reach ¥4 billion yesterday, and now the second fastest film to reach 3 million admissions today.

Friday will be down a good bit being New Year's Eve, possibly half or a little better, so we'll be entering the second weekend with ~¥4.8/4.9 billion and ~3.5 million admissions. Saturday is a national holiday and discount day, and Sunday is also a national holiday and should have boosted evening/night shows since Monday is also a national holiday, so the weekend (and next Monday) could be very strong.

I was expecting about ¥5.5 billion ($47/48 million) after this Sunday a couple days ago, but it'll be aiming to exceed ¥6 billion ($52 million+) and ~4.2/4.3? million admissions after its second weekend now. So not only will it become the second fastest film to reach ¥5 billion, which it'll do on Saturday, but also the second fastest to reach ¥6 billion (and 4 million admissions) now as well.

Yeah those weekdays are huge. It probably will slow down quiet a bit after holidays but it should have made past 7-8B easily by then so 10B looks comfortable, I'm thinking 13B is the target at this point.

Yeah thanks to the Holiday season weekdays are Huge!
In fact, this last thursday was even higher than Demon Slayers First thursday bac in 2020.

12/30 (Thur.): ¥515,000,000 ($4.47 million) / 360,000 *est.*
vs
10/22 - Thur.: ¥465,000,000 ($4.5 million) / 340,000

Surpassing DS, even just one day, is already a big accomplishment.
I hope the movie can reach that 13B target, and more!

Was that thursday the biggest one ever, or was there a holiday/weird release date for a blockbuster holding that? If it was that thursday then JJK can join eva on the list of movies managing to snag 1 record from DS. Not particularly important ones, but records nonetheless =P

Isn't it interesting that JJK0 has South Korean director? Is it a good or bad contributing factor? Or JJK0 is a kind of anime that people don't remember staff's name, I bet most Japanese people don't know who direct Demon Slayer either. The era of famous director (like Miyazaki, Shinkai, Hosoda, Anno, etc.) is probably over. It's franchise movie now, like Marvel cinematic universe.

Advance Happy New Year guys!
Here's for another great year for Japanese Box Office!

People don't really care that much about directors of adaptations of already famous works, all of the directors you mentioned made their name via anime originals.

Yes, it actually seems to be. Thanks for mentioning this, ARQandARG! I may have noticed it later on, but good to have the knowledge now versus later. There are no official weekday figures released in Japan, but Demon Slayer's first Thursday was the highest known Thursday ever, either reported or calculated, at least back to 2000. So... unless Jujutsu Kaisen comes in lower than expected on Sunday, where we have to rework its weekdays, it very likely just broke the Biggest Thursday Record yesterday! (Obviously as a result of the holidays, but it's a record nonetheless if it holds.)

Also, I don't think Evangelion technically took the Monday record, or rather it doesn't solely own it. I estimated slightly higher than its eventual actual that was released much later (I can dig up the article if necessary), which was ¥820 million / 520,000 admissions. That's the exact same as Demon Slayer's Monday record in revenue, but less in admissions. So... without any official report, especially down to the exact yen, Monday is tied (revenue)? A tie for a record is a little annoying, but it's also not something you want to say one film claims by itself when it's not official either.