Japanese Anime 'Chiikawa' Tops South Korean Box Office in Close Weekend Race
The anime film 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island' took the top spot in South Korea for the Oct. 9-11 weekend, narrowly defeating the local political thriller 'The Assassin(s).' Distributed by Toho, the adaptation earned $3.13 million from 407,895 admissions across 1,067 screens, representing 29.7% of the weekend market. Since its Sept. 30 wide release, the Kei Oikawa-directed film has grossed $9.9 million from 1,281,485 admissions.
Toho's Japanese animated fantasy ended the Oct. 9–11 frame atop South Korea's chart, just ahead of the local political thriller 'The Assassin(s).' KOBIS data put it at 407,895 admissions from 1,067 screens, a 29.7% weekend share worth $3.13 million.
Kei Oikawa directed the adaptation of Nagano's popular manga. The plot follows the title character and companions on a trip to a remote island, where they encounter a supernatural threat. Since its Sept. 30 wide launch, it has collected $9.9 million from 1,281,485 admissions.
The film's strong opening may reinforce South Korean exhibitors' willingness to give Japanese animation prominent screen space, affecting local releases that compete for the same audiences. Anime and manga fans could see more related titles and merchandise, while domestic filmmakers may face added pressure from imported hits. Still, a single narrow weekend win may not signal a lasting change in audience habits or market balance.