The anime studio's first release since co-founder Hayao Miyazaki's retirement, directed by Isao Takahata, opens in the top spot.
TOKYO – The latest Studio Ghibli production The Tale of Princess Kaguya(Kaguya-hime no Monogatari), directed by Isao Takahata, opened atop the weekend box office with a $2.8 million (284 million yen) two-day take from 456 screens, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.
The first film in 14 years from Takahata, 78, and the first release since the retirement of Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, 72, assumed the anime hit factory's usual spot on the box office charts. Takahata has been working on the production at least since 2008, when he first announced the project.
The opening performance couldn't compete with Miyazaki'sThe Wind Rises though, which opened with a $9.6 million (960 million) weekend take in July.
Based on the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a 10th century tale that is credited with being one of the earliest pieces of Japanese fiction, Kaguya tells the story of a baby who has come from the moon.
Watch the extended, six-minute trailer, below:
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
