Makoto Shinkai, one of the greatest anime directors of all time, has achieved yet another milestone with his latest film, Suzume no Tojimari. This captivating masterpiece has shattered records and secured a place among the top 10 highest grossing anime movies in Japan. At the time of writing, it has amassed an astounding US$99.4 million (JP¥14.9 billion) in box office earnings.
With this remarkable achievement, Makoto now has three of his films on the prestigious list, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the world of anime cinema. Weathering with You, his previous work, claimed the tenth spot with earnings of US$95.2 million (JP¥14.2 billion), while his groundbreaking film, Kimi no Na wa (Your Name), soared to the third spot with an astonishing US$168.5 million (JP¥25.17 billion) in revenue.
Makoto embarked on his journey as a full-length film director in 2004 with the release of “The Place Promised in Our Early Days.” However, it was his breakthrough work, “Your Name,” that garnered widespread acclaim, winning numerous awards in 2016 and 2017. The film’s immense success even paved the way for a Hollywood live-action adaptation.
Throughout his career, Makoto has established a unique approach to anime filmmaking, evident in his earlier works such as “5 Centimeters per Second” and “Garden of Words.” His highly visual style captivates audiences, showcasing the beauty of Japan and imaginative worlds through his exceptional cinematography.
Another legendary director who dominates the list of highest grossing anime movies in Japan is Hayao Miyazaki, renowned for his work at Studio Ghibli. Four of his blockbuster films, namely “Spirited Away,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Ponyo,” have secured their places on the list, further solidifying Hayao’s influence in the industry. Together, Hayao and Makoto’s works make up a staggering 70% of Japan’s top grossing anime films.
Here is the current ranking of the highest grossing anime movies of all time in Japan:
| RANK | ANIME MOVIE | JAPAN GROSS | DIRECTOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train | US$270,600,000 | Haruo Sotozaki |
| 2 | Spirited Away | US$212,000,000 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 3 | Your Name | US$168,500,000 | Makoto Shinkai |
| 4 | Princess Mononoke | US$135,000,000 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 5 | One Piece Film: Red | US$132,000,000 | Goro Taniguchi |
| 6 | Howl’s Moving Castle | US$131,000,000 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 7 | The First Slam Dunk | US$105,300,000 | Takehiko Inoue |
| 8 | Ponyo | US$103,700,000 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 9 | Suzume no Tojimari | US$99,400,000 | Makoto Shinkai |
| 10 | Weathering with You | US$95,250,000 | Makoto Shinkai |
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Source: ONEESPORTS
