Despite playing in only a small number of theaters in Japan, ODDTAXI: In the Woods is pulling in major box office numbers.
According to Mantan Web, the compilation film, which does include new animation, has earned approximately $1.03 million (¥130 million) after four weeks. "Due to the huge success of the film, the number of screening locations will gradually increase from the latter half of April, so we hope you will wait for the information on the release of the film," ODDTAXI producer Daisuke Hiraga said.
He continued, "When I think back to the beginning of the project, the fact that it became a film is unbelievable. I think this scale of theater is an objectively accepted level for this film, so I am very happy that so many people have come to see [ODDTAXI: In the Woods] and that it has exceeded the expectations set for it."
This isn't the first time ODDTAXI and its fans have exceeded the creators' expectations. Despite the immense popularity of the anime series, there was initial hesitation in giving it a Blu-ray release. To gauge interest, the ODDTAXI producers launched a pre-order campaign towards the end of last year: If a minimum of 300 sets were ordered, then the ODDTAXI anime would receive its home-video release. By the end of the campaign, over 6,000 Blu-rays had been pre-ordered.
Both the ODDTAXI anime series and ODDTAXI: In the Woods are set in a world of anthropomorphic animals and follow Odokawa, a middle-aged walrus and taxi driver. Produced by OLM and P.I.C.S., the anime series was the industry debut for director Baku Kinoshita and screenwriter Kadzuya Konomoto, who both returned to create ODDTAXI: In the Woods. The main members of the anime's voice cast, including Natsuki Hanae (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) and Ryōhei Kimura (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations), returned as well, reprising their roles for the compilation film.
ODDTAXI: In the Woods' impressive box office performance follows similar success stories, including those of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Evangelion 3.0 + 1.01: Thrice Upon A Time, which were Japan's highest-grossing films in 2021, seemingly showcasing the increasing popularity of anime films as a genre.
Crunchyroll has acquired the North American distribution rights for ODDTAXI: In the Woods but, as of writing, an official premiere date has not yet been announced by the streaming service. All thirteen episodes of the ODDTAXI anime series are available on Crunchyroll.
Source: Mantan Web, via Crunchyroll