Zootopia 2 box office success in Japan exceeds 13 billion yen and reunites cast in Tokyo

The Disney animation, Zootopia 2, established itself as a box office phenomenon at Japão by surpassing the impressive 13 billion yen mark in revenue. The financial milestone was celebrated with a special fan appreciation event held at Tóquio on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, which was attended by the main voice actors from the Japanese version.

The film, which premiered in the country on December 5, 2025, demonstrated remarkable strength by remaining at the top of the box office for seven consecutive weeks. Até to date, the production has already attracted more than 9.5 million viewers to Japanese cinemas, a feat that highlights the franchise’s enduring popularity.

The celebration brought together talents such as actress Aya Ueto, voice of protagonist Judy Hopps, and other cast members, including Masahiro Takashima, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Noriko Eguchi and Shigeo Takahashi. Juntos, they took the stage to express gratitude for the massive support from the public, which turned the sequence into one of the biggest recent cinema successes in the country.

Japanese cast celebrates film’s popularity

During the event, Aya Ueto, 40 years old, expressed his surprise at the enormous repercussion of the animation. The actress commented that the film is constantly present on her social networks and that she receives reports from friends about crowded cinema sessions, with large groups of families and friends attending together to watch the new adventure of Judy and Nick.

Ueto also shared a curiosity about the character Flash, the sloth who works at the traffic department. Ela joked that, as he considers himself an impatient person, he would like to be able to adopt some of the character’s calm and methodical rhythm in his daily life. At the end of her participation, Disney presented the actress with an exclusive frame containing an original illustration by Judy Hopps.

Optimistic statements cheer up fans

Masahiro Takashima, 60 years old, who voices the horse mayor Winddancer in the Japanese version, brought a tone of humor and optimism to the event. Ele took to the stage holding a carrot-shaped microphone, a clear reference to the film’s universe, which amused the audience present.

The actor revealed that, on a previous occasion, he had discreetly commented on the possibility of the film breaking historical records in the Japão. Agora, with the impressive numbers, Takashima stated that he can already hear the “steps” of a new level of success, suggesting that animation can reach brands considered national treasures in local cinema.

He concluded his speech by expressing his desire to hold more events like that to continue thanking viewers for their continued support. Takashima’s statement reflects the cast’s general sense of optimism about the production’s upward trajectory in the competitive Japanese film market.

Other voice actors present on stage

Toshiyuki Morikawa, 58 years old, who voices Nick Wilde, the charismatic fox partner of Judy, was also present. Sua experience in several animated productions is essential for the chemistry between the protagonists, one of the franchise’s high points.

The team on stage was completed by Noriko Eguchi, 45 years old, responsible for the voice of the beaver Nibbles, and the comedian Shigeo Takahashi, 49 years old, who plays the cheetah receptionist

Context of success at the Japanese box office

Since its debut, Zootopia 2 has established a rare dominance for foreign productions. The lead maintained for seven consecutive weeks is an unprecedented feat for a Western animated film in the Japão, surpassing previous major releases.

The positive response from the Japanese public is directly linked to the way the story combines humor, adventure and relevant messages about diversity and overcoming. The sequel expands the universe presented in the 2016 film, deepening the relationship between the protagonists and introducing new challenges.

Accumulated revenue, which already exceeds 130 billion and 635 million yen, exceeded the industry’s most optimistic expectations. The volume of tickets sold, reaching almost 9.6 million, demonstrates the strong family appeal and the ability of animation to attract different generations of spectators.

Experts point out that the prolonged success is also due to the strong marketing and release strategy, which coincided with periods of great movement in cinemas. Positive word of mouth has been a crucial factor in keeping theaters full week after week.

Plot and elements that win over the audience

The plot of Zootopia 2 returns to the vibrant metropolis where animals of all species live together. Officer Judy Hopps and her officer partner, Nick Wilde, face a complex new case that tests their skills and their friendship. The narrative maintains the perfect balance between investigative action and comedy, while deepening reflections on prejudice and social inclusion in a subtle and intelligent way. Personagens favorites of the public, such as the cheetah Clawhauser and the sloth Flash, return to guarantee hilarious moments, while new figures, such as the mayor Winddancer, add layers to the complex society of Zootopia. The direction of Jared Bush and Byron Howard ensures the continuity of the detailed visual style and animation quality that earned the first film an

Global impact of animation

The exceptional performance of Zootopia 2 is not limited to Japão. Globalmente, the production has already grossed more than 1.7 billion dollars, establishing itself as one of the highest-grossing animations in recent history and surpassing records set by other productions from Disney itself. Este’s success consolidates Zootopia as one of the studio’s most valuable and influential franchises.

Reception and derivative products

The film’s immense popularity in Japão led to an explosion in the sale of licensed merchandise. Lojas from across the country are filled with products ranging from dolls and clothes to themed accessories, with the characters Judy and Nick dominating the shelves.

In addition to retail, Disney theme parks in the country have already begun to incorporate elements from the sequence into attractions and special events, taking advantage of public engagement to create immersive experiences and further reinforce the franchise’s presence in fans’ daily lives.