Disney animation's "Zootopia 2" (directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, released December 5th) was released in various countries on November 26th, ahead of Japan, and recorded the world's best opening performance this year, grossing $556 million (approximately 86.6248 billion yen, calculated at 155.8 yen to the dollar) in the five days leading up to its opening weekend.
This broke the records of hit films such as "Frozen" and became the highest opening ever recorded for a Disney animated film. It also achieved the highest opening ever recorded for an animated film released worldwide. It also ranked fourth in the world for openings, including live-action films (after "Avengers: Endgame," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Spider-Man: No Way Home"). On the American film critic website Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a critic score of 92% and an audience score of 96% (as of December 3rd).
To commemorate the film's worldwide success, a key scene from the film was released for the first time on December 4th. The footage shows Judy, the hardworking rabbit and first police officer, and Nick, the sarcastic but kind-hearted fox, teaming up again as police officers, meeting for the first time Gary the snake, who holds the key to solving Zootopia's greatest mystery.
Judy and Nick are investigating a certain case. By chance, they discover traces of a snake that shouldn't be in Zootopia. Ignoring Chief Bogo's orders, they head to the Zootennial Gala, celebrating Zootopia's 100th anniversary, to search for it. Dressed in formal attire—a dress and tuxedo—they infiltrate the party venue and continue their investigation. Suddenly, as if waiting for them, Gary the snake appears onstage! The presence of a snake in Zootopia for the first time in 100 years causes panic in the venue. Gary wraps himself around Milton Linksley, the lynx businessman who is onstage and holds immense power in the city. He steals the "diary" that was on display and attempts to escape at incredible speed.
This film is the sequel to "Zootopia," which was released in 2016. The previous film, "Zootopia," was set in Zootopia, a world where animals live in a high-tech civilized society like humans, and depicted the story of Judy the rabbit who meets Nick the fox and overcomes many challenges together as he grows into a fine police officer. It was the first Disney animation film since "Frozen" to surpass $1 billion in global box office revenue. It was also a huge hit in Japan, grossing over 7.6 billion yen.
In the Japanese version of "Zootopia 2," actress Aya Ueto will voice the rabbit police officer Judy, and voice actor Toshiyuki Morikawa will voice the fox Nick, just like in the previous film. Furthermore, voice actor Hiro Shimono will voice Gary, the wanted snake who holds the key to Zootopia's biggest mystery.
