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Doraemon Holds Strong Amid New Releases

Japan’s box office continues to be shaped by familiar franchises and new contenders, but one name refuses to budge from the top. Doraemon: Nobita and the New Castle of the Undersea Devil has now secured its third consecutive weekend at No. 1, underscoring the enduring appeal of the beloved anime series.

The latest rankings, compiled by Kogyo Tsushinsha, reveal a competitive landscape where new entries made an impact—but not enough to dethrone Doraemon.

Doraemon’s Consistent Run Drives Box Office Momentum

In its third weekend (March 13–15), the 45th Doraemon feature film brought in 357 million yen (approximately $2.24 million) from 274,600 tickets sold.

This pushed its cumulative total to 1.89 billion yen ($11.87 million) and 1.47 million admissions.

While slightly trailing its predecessor, the film’s performance remains robust. After three weeks, it has reached about 90% of the earnings of Doraemon: Nobita’s Art World Tales (2024), which grossed 2.1 billion yen in the same timeframe.

Why It Matters

Doraemon’s sustained success highlights the franchise’s deep-rooted popularity across generations in Japan. Even as newer films enter the market, family-friendly titles with nostalgic value continue to anchor box office stability.

Golden Kamuy Sequel Opens Strong but Lands Third

One of the weekend’s most anticipated releases, Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Arc, made its debut in 418 theaters, including 60 IMAX screens.

The film earned 368 million yen ($2.31 million) from 246,900 admissions, securing the third spot in its opening weekend.

While this marks a solid launch, it falls short of the franchise’s first live-action film, which debuted at No. 1 in January 2024 with 534 million yen.

Audience Reception Signals Promise

Despite a lower opening, early audience feedback has been notably strong. According to Filmarks, Japan’s popular film review platform, the film topped its first-day satisfaction rankings with an average score of 4.26 out of 5, surpassing the previous installment’s 4.07.

This suggests strong word-of-mouth potential, which could help the film maintain momentum in the coming weeks.

Smaller Films and Expanding Releases Reshape Rankings

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! Climbs with Wider Release

After expanding to over 100 theaters nationwide on March 13, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! jumped to fifth place in its fourth weekend.

The film had initially performed well in limited screenings, even topping mini-theater rankings for three consecutive weekends since February. Its expansion marks a successful transition from niche to broader appeal.

New Anime Entries Enter the Chart

• Himitsu no AiPri: Mankai Buzzlume Live! debuted at No. 8 after opening in 122 theaters.

• That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea slipped to No. 10 in its third weekend.

These placements reflect the crowded anime film landscape, where multiple franchise releases compete for similar audiences.

High-Profile Releases Miss the Mark

Despite strong creative backing, L’étoile de Paris en Fleur, directed by ONE PIECE FILM: RED filmmaker Goro Taniguchi, failed to break into the Top 10 after opening in 285 theaters.

However, audience reception remains moderately positive, with a Filmarks score of 3.96/5.0, indicating appreciation but perhaps limited mainstream draw.

Similarly, New Gintama the Movie: Yoshiwara in Flames did not appear in the Top 10 during its fifth weekend.

Legacy Films and Special Screenings Still Draw Interest

A 4K restoration screening of the 2000 anime classic Jin-Roh continued to attract attention, ranking fifth in the mini-theater category in its second weekend.

Released in just 14 theaters to mark its 25th anniversary, the film’s performance reflects ongoing interest in classic anime among dedicated audiences.

Broader Industry Trends: Franchise Power Continues

Japan’s box office remains heavily influenced by major franchises, with long-running hits still delivering impressive numbers.

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle I has amassed a staggering 39.84 billion yen ($250 million) over 35 weeks.

• The film is set to conclude its theatrical run on April 9, except in select theaters.

Meanwhile:

• Chainsaw Man -The Movie: Reze Arc has reached 10.73 billion yen ($67.83 million) in its 26th weekend.

Industry Insight

These figures underline a key trend: blockbuster anime films are not just dominating domestically but redefining theatrical longevity in Japan.

Japan Box Office Top 10 (March 13–15, 2026)

• Doraemon: Nobita and the New Castle of the Undersea Devil (3rd weekend)

• Hoppers (new)

• Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Arc (new)

• Wicked: For Good (2nd weekend)

• Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (4th weekend)

• Hodonaku, Owakaredesu (6th weekend)

• Kyojo Requiem (4th weekend)

• Himitsu no AiPri: Mankai Buzzlume Live! (new)

• Specials (2nd weekend)

• That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea (3rd weekend)

What This Means for the Japanese Film Market

The current box office trends highlight three major takeaways:

1. Franchise Loyalty Drives Stability

Doraemon, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man continue to dominate, proving that established brands remain the backbone of theatrical success.

2. Strong Reviews Don’t Guarantee Immediate Box Office Wins

Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Arc shows that audience satisfaction may translate into long-term gains rather than instant chart-topping debuts.

3. Niche Films Can Break Out with Strategic Expansion

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! demonstrates how limited releases can scale successfully with positive reception and wider distribution.

Looking Ahead: Can Doraemon Maintain Its Lead?

With new releases entering the market and strong competitors building momentum, the coming weeks will test whether Doraemon can extend its winning streak.

However, its steady performance and family-friendly appeal suggest it will remain a dominant force, at least in the short term.

As Japan’s box office continues to balance nostalgia-driven hits with fresh releases, one thing is clear: the power of storytelling, especially in animation, remains stronger than ever.