Interactive Anime Film "Hypnosis Mic" Smashes Box Office Records in Japan

The interactive anime film “Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle” has set a new precedent for limited theatrical releases in Japan, grossing JPY2.5 billion ($16.5 million) with an average of less than 60 screens throughout its run. This significant achievement marks it as the first Japanese film to hit such a revenue milestone with such a restricted release.

"Hypnosis Mic" is part of the "Hypnosismic" franchise that was developed at King Records in 2017. The storyline exists in a universe where weaponry is prohibited, and men must vie for dominance through rap battles. The "Hypnosismic" universe has expanded into music, radio dramas, manga, stage productions, games, and anime series.

This film, being one of the first interactive movies in Japan, introduces a new rap battle. The story and victor of the Third Division Rap Battle change with each screening, with outcomes determined by real-time audience voting using their smartphones.

Distributed by Toho and produced by King Records, the movie utilized Kino Industries’ CtrlMovie platform. This technology allowed audiences to vote on storyline developments in real-time using their smartphones. The film gained traction notably through word-of-mouth, thereby increasing its audience for eight consecutive weeks. Incredibly, more than 80% of the total box office was made up of repeat customers.

"Hypnosis Mic" demonstrated an impressive lifespan. Despite its launch seven months ago, it continued to fill limited seats throughout the summer, its Sept. 2 nationwide re-release pushing it back into Japan’s Top 10.

"Hypnosis Mic’s" success authenticates interactive cinema as a highly profitable new domain. Branched-narrative movies typically generate four to six times the revenues of standard films - a fact anticipated by producers, distributors, and exhibitors worldwide.

Interestingly, the CtrlMovie system, developed by Kino Industries since 2018, enables collective audience decision-making that weaves different narratives flawlessly during screenings, each showing rendering a unique viewer experience.

According to Scott C. Silver, COO of Kino Industries, “CtrlMovie is doing for the story what Imax did for scale. It delivers a premium, participatory experience that connects audiences more deeply to what’s happening on screen."