Japanese distributor Toho has announced that Studio Ghibli's Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea has cracked the Y10bn ($91.02m) milestone within a month (31 days)of its release on July 19.

As of August 18, Ponyo has grossed Y10.136b ($92.26m) on 8.44 million admissions.

The last time the Y10bn milestone was reached in the territory was by Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (Y10.9bn, $99.22m), released in May 2007. The last domestic film to make the achievement was Hayao Miyazaki's own Howl's Moving Castle (Y19.6bn, $178.42m) in 2004.

In comparison to Miyazaki's other megahits, Ponyo took longer than 2001 all time champion Spirited Away's 25 days to reach the figure, while Howl's Moving Castle took 33 days and Princess Mononoke took 43 days. Toho is predicting a final tally approaching Howl's.

The animated children's film has held on to the top spot for five weeks, owing to the wide demographics Miyazaki films attract and higher repeat business in a territory where people still see less than two films a year. It has gone head to head with the latest Pokemon film, The Happening, Kung Fu Panda, The Dark Knight, and a strong $6.98m opening by The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor this past weekend.

Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea will have its international premiere in competition at the Venice film festival on August 30.

Topics