Zootopia 2 celebrates surpassing 13 billion yen in Japan with voice actor event in Tokyo

The animation Zootopia 2, by Disney, reached the mark of more than 13 billion yen in revenue at the Japanese box office. The feat was celebrated in a special event held in Tóquio this Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with the presence of part of the local version’s dubbing cast.

Actress Aya Ueto, who voices the protagonist Judy Hopps, took the stage to thank fans for the film’s continued success. Outros voice actors, such as Masahiro Takashima, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Noriko Eguchi and Shigeo Takahashi, also participated in the gratitude stage for the mega-hit.

The film, released on Japão on December 5, 2025, held the top spot at the box office for seven consecutive weeks. The production has recorded more than 9.5 million viewers in the country to date.

• Collection of more than 130 billion and 635 million yen;
• Seven weeks at the top of the box office;
• First foreign animated film to achieve this streak in Japão.

Japanese cast highlights film’s popularity

Aya Ueto, 40 years old, expressed surprise at the impact of the animation throughout Japão. Ela reported that the film appears constantly on their social networks and that friends tell stories of crowded sessions with large groups.

Ueto also mentioned the character Flash, the slow sloth who works at a call center. The voice actress joked that she would like to adopt the figure’s calm rhythm, as she considers herself an impatient person in everyday life.

At the end of the event, Disney studios surprised Ueto with an original illustrated photo frame of Judy Hopps. The actress reinforced that Japanese streets are full of products related to the film and asked the public to continue supporting the production.

Masahiro Takashima’s statements excite fans

Masahiro Takashima, 60, plays the horse mayor known as Winddancer in the Japanese version. Ele appeared on stage holding a carrot-shaped microphone, in reference to the character, and entertained the audience with his performance.

The actor revealed that, in a previous stage, he had discreetly commented on the possibility of surpassing historical records in Japão. Takashima now stated that he hears the “steps” of a possible new level, referring to brands considered national treasures in local cinema.

He expressed hope to hold more similar events to thank viewers. The statement reinforces the cast’s optimism with the upward trajectory of animation in the Japanese market.

Other voice actors present on stage

Toshiyuki Morikawa, 58 years old, responsible for the voice of Nick Wilde, Judy’s fox partner, was also present. The actor is known for his work in several animated productions and contributes to the chemistry between the protagonists.

Noriko Eguchi, 45 years old, voices the character Nibbles, a beaver who appears in the story. Sua participation in the event highlighted the diversity of the supporting cast in the Japanese version.

Shigeo Takahashi, 49, plays Clawhauser, the cheetah receptionist at the Zootopia police station. The comedian brought lightness to the stage with his interventions.

Context of success at the Japanese box office

Zootopia 2 hit Japanese theaters on December 5, 2025 and quickly took the top spot. The animation maintained the position for seven consecutive weeks, an unprecedented feat for foreign animated productions in the country.

Japanese audiences respond positively to the story’s mix of humor, adventure and messages about diversity. The sequel expands the universe introduced in the original 2016 film, bringing new characters and challenges to Judy and Nick.

The accumulated revenue exceeds initial expectations and positions the production among the biggest recent successes in the Japão. The volume of viewers reflects the family appeal of Disney’s animation.

Plot and elements that win over the audience

The story takes place in the city of Zootopia, where anthropomorphic animals live together in a complex society. Judy Hopps, a determined police bunny, faces new cases alongside Nick Wilde, now her official partner.

The film introduces figures like Mayor Winddancer and maintains beloved characters like Flash and Clawhauser. The narrative balances action, comedy and reflections on inclusion without losing the fast pace.

The direction of Jared Bush and Byron Howard preserves the franchise’s vibrant visual style. The soundtrack and animation details contribute to viewer immersion for all audiences.

The Japanese version benefits from careful casting of voice actors. The familiarity of names like Aya Ueto and Toshiyuki Morikawa attracts different generations of fans.

Global impact of animation

Zootopia 2 also records exceptional performance outside of Japão. The production surpassed the 1.7 billion dollar mark in worldwide revenue, becoming the highest-grossing animation in recent history.

The film surpassed records previously held by other Disney productions. The success reflects the strength of the franchise that began in 2016, which had already been awarded the Oscar for best animation.

Markets such as China and Estados Unidos contributed significantly to the overall numbers. The positive reception from critics and audiences boosts its longevity in theaters.

Reception and derivative products

The popularity of Zootopia 2 led to a wave of merchandise in Japanese stores. Itens as the characters’ dolls, clothes and accessories dominate the shelves of retailers across the country.

Disney theme parks incorporate elements from the sequence into temporary attractions. The franchise’s constant presence in the media reinforces fan engagement.

Critics highlight the evolution of the themes covered in the sequel. The message that anyone can be whatever they want resonates especially with children and teenagers.

Legacy of the Zootopia franchise

The original film, released in 2016, grossed more than $1 billion globally and won the Oscar. The sequel expands this universe with new narrative layers and memorable characters.

The partnership between Judy and Nick remains the heart of the story. The Japanese voice actors maintain the consistency that pleased fans in the first production.

The current success positions Zootopia as one of Disney Animation’s most profitable franchises. The trajectory reinforces the enduring appeal of well-crafted animated stories.

Updated Japanese box office numbers

As of January 20, 2026, Zootopia 2 has accumulated exactly 130 billion 635 million yen. The total number of tickets sold reached 9 million 587 thousand and 861 spectators.

Maintaining first place for seven weeks represents a historic milestone. Nenhum another Western animated film had achieved a similar following in the Japanese market.

The projection indicates the possibility of new brands in the coming weeks. Positive word of mouth and school holidays contribute to sustaining performance.

Audience reactions at the event

Spectators present at the stage greeting reported enthusiasm with the cast’s interactions. Muitos highlighted Aya Ueto’s energy and Masahiro Takashima’s humor during the speeches.

Families with children made up the majority of the audience. The event reinforced the emotional connection that the film establishes with different age groups.

The surprise prepared by Disney for Ueto generated prolonged applause. The moment symbolized recognition of the work of voice actors in popularizing animation.

Future of the franchise in Japão

The exceptional performance opens the door for more promotional activities in the country. The cast expressed their desire for new meetings with fans as long as the box office continues to grow.

Zootopia 2 consolidates Disney’s presence in the Japanese animation market. The combination of technical quality and cultural appeal explains the warm welcome.

The sequel keeps alive the essence that made the original a global phenomenon. The Japanese public demonstrates loyalty to the franchise with significant numbers in cinemas.