The latest anime feature from Miyazaki Hayao (67) has got off to a flying start. “Gake to Ue no Ponyo” was watched by more than 1.25 million moviegoers over its opening three-day weekend, making almost ¥1.6 billion at the box office. The numbers compare well with those for “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi,” Miyazaki’s 2001 hit that still holds Japan’s box office record. Among this year’s domestic movie releases, so far “Hana Yori Dango Final” has been the biggest hit, making about ¥4.8 in the 24 days since it opened. “Sen to…” was also a major success overseas, winning an Oscar and the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. So international interest is sure to be high for “Ponyo.” Plans are currently underway for the movie to open in Asia within the year, with a U.S. release unlikely until next year. Meanwhile, the movie’s theme song, sung by 9-year-old Ohashi Nozomi and middle-aged duo Fujioka Fujimaki, has made No.1 in the latest Oricon daily singles chart. The single first went on sale in December, but sources say only eight copies had been sold by February! That all changed as the publicity machine got into full gear and the movie opened last Saturday.
• Breakthrough British songstress Leona Lewis (22) is hoping to catch a bit of culture on her latest trip to Japan. She was at the British embassy in Tokyo yesterday to help launch the “UK-Japan 2008” festival. With this year marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries, the series of events aims to promote cultural exchange in various fields. Lewis said she hopes to introduce some of Britain’s many talented musicians to a Japanese audience. She made her first visit to Japan in May, and she says she spent her free time shopping in the capital. This time around, she plans to visit Kyoto and says she hopes to visit again before the end of the year. In the last few months, Lewis has enjoyed massive success from her debut album “Spirit” and the mega-hit single “Bleeding Love.”