‘The Last: Naruto The Movie’ Earned About US$12.1 M In Less Than 24 Hours, Beats 2012's ‘Road To Ninja Film’ By 175%

"The Last: Naruto The Movie" already hit the Japanese theaters with a bang! According to Anime News Network, the film has earned 1.47 billion yen which is approximately US$12.1 million as of 3:00 p.m. on its first day. The recent Naruto film beats the July 2012 motion picture "Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie" by 175%.

Reportedly, according to Nikkan Sports Newspaper, "The Last: Naruto The Movie," the 10th feature film in the franchise, is expected to set a record for the franchise, with 2 billion yen earning.

In "The Last: Naruto the Movie" premiere screening held last November 24 at the Iino Hall in Tokyo, franchise head and creator Japanese artist Masashi Kishimoto expressed a feeling of relief after finishing the manga series.

"It feels like being released, because I have no more deadlines. So I was able to come here with plenty of time," Kishimoto said. "Thank you very much for keeping on looking at how Naruto has grown for such a long time of 15 years."

"After watching the film, now I have a mixed feeling for him, relieved and sad, it's like Naruto is becoming independent from me. I have been watching him from his father's point of view," he said.

"The Last: Naruto The Movie" is the first of many works and projects for "Naruto Shin Jidai Kaimaku Project" or the "Naruto's New Era Opening Project" which celebrates the series' 15th anniversary.

According to The News Hub, Kishimoto is continuing the tale of the titular ninja in a new project that is in the works for Spring 2015. The sequel will focus on the next generation featuring the children of Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sasuke and others.

As previously announced, "The Last: Naruto The Movie" will hit Philippine theaters on December 17, 2014 and expected to have its release in Australia and New Zealand by January 17, 2015.