‘Hypnosis Mic’ Makes Japanese Box-Office History

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. 21 in 85 venues, utilizing Kino Industries’ CtrlMovie platform to let audiences vote via smartphone on plot developments in real time. The film built momentum through word-of-mouth, growing its audience for eight straight weeks, with repeat customers accounting for over 80% of total box office as viewers returned to experience different narrative branches.

Variety understands that no Japanese film since nationwide tracking began in 2004 has crossed JPY2 billion while playing on fewer than 100 theaters during its theatrical window.

The title demonstrated unusual longevity, continuing to sell out limited engagements through summer. A Sept. 2 nationwide re-release propelled the film back into Japan’s Top 10, adding more than 107,000 admissions over two weeks and posting its third-strongest single day performance — an unusual achievement seven months after launch.

“By crossing this milestone, ‘Hypnosis Mic’…