Continuing Its Reign
The buzz around SPY×FAMILY Code: White shows no signs of fading, as the film keeps its stronghold at the pinnacle of the Japanese box office. Selling a remarkable 3.29 million tickets by its 18th day post-release, the anime cinematic experience has grossed a massive 4.41 billion yen (approximately US$30.6 million), maintaining its position as the top cinematic draw into its third weekend. The achievement underscores the film’s enduring appeal and cinematic magnetism. Fans can view the current box office rankings here.
Box Office Triumph from the Start
The winter release of SPY×FAMILY Code: White turned into a holiday treat when it premiered on December 22 in Japan. Crafted as a unique and standalone narrative, the film swiftly captivated audiences. Recording ticket sales of 866,000, it yielded a handsome 1.224 billion yen (roughly US$8.61 million) in a mere three days.
Demonstrating sustained interest, the following week from December 29 to 31 saw an additional 585,000 tickets sold, adding up to 800 million yen (around US$5.56 million) to its burgeoning collection.
North American Premiere Awaited
Drawing on the widespread anticipation, Crunchyroll has announced plans to premiere the film in North America come 2024. The enigmatic narrative unfolds with:
He’s a master of espionage. She’s a lethal assassin. As Loid and Yor Forger juggle their clandestine professions, they present themselves as an idyllic family unit. To their ignorance, their adopted daughter Anya—gifted with telepathy—has insight into their thrilling secrets. When Loid orchestrates a winter weekend retreat as a cover to push forward on Operation Strix, the mission edges onto shaky ground. Anya’s innocent mishap plunges them into a precarious situation where the balance of global peace wavers on a knife-edge.
Behind the Scenes
Esteemed manga creator Tatsuya Endō not only conceptualized the original work and designed the characters—his guidance as a supervisor has been pivotal in crafting the film’s core essence. The combined creative forces of WIT STUDIO and CloverWorks have once more brought the animation to life.
Spearheading the project is Takashi Katagiri as director, while the narrative is woven by scriptwriter Ichiro Okouchi. Transforming the characters for the screen, Kazuaki Shimada has taken the role of the character designer, with Kana Ishida lending her talent as the sub-character designer.
Kyoji Asano stands as the chief animation director, with Kazuhiro Furuhashi supervising animation. The melodic backdrop is crafted by music producer [K]NoW_NAME, and Shōji Hata elevates the auditory experience as the sound director.
The film’s soundscape is further enriched by Official HiGE DANdism with their theme song “Soulsoup,” complementing their previous work on the anime’s first season opening. Moreover, Gen Hoshino returns, performing the film’s emotionally resonant ending song “Hikari no Ato” (Trails of Light), a conceptual sequel to his prior ending theme “Kigeki” (Comedy).
The film also welcomes new members to the SPY×FAMILY cast, featuring Tomoya Nakamura as Dmitri, Kento Kaku as Luka, Banjou Ginga as Snijder, and Shunsuke Takeuchi as Type F.
The Ongoing Anime Phenomenon
The much-acclaimed television anime’s sophomore season greeted audiences on October 7. Its maiden part launched in April 2022, with Crunchyroll providing simultaneous streams and an English-dubbed version.
The latter half of the first season continued its success story in Japan from October 2022, with Crunchyroll again offering access to fans globally. For fans who wish to delve deeper into the espionage-filled universe, Viz Media is offering the original manga in English.
In a unique intersection of media, the film has launched a collaboration event with the heavyweight gaming title Street Fighter 6, which kicked off on Tuesday and will run until January 31. Gaming and anime enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of this exciting crossover here.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun’s Mantan Web
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the runaway success of SPY×FAMILY Code: White, it’s clear that this film has struck a chord with audiences far and wide. Combining a thrilling plot with endearing characters and exceptional production quality, the film has become more than just a cinematic release; it’s a cultural event that continues to draw crowds and acclaim.
This anime phenomenon proves once again that when powerful storytelling is paired with artistic vision, the result can be nothing short of spectacular. With eager anticipation, fans around the globe now await the chance to be part of this extraordinary spy-family adventure.
