Interactive Anime Film ‘Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle’ Turns Japanese Cinemas Into Rap Battle Arenas

Japanese moviegoers are known for being quiet. Even at funny or emotional scenes, they barely react. After the credits roll, they clean up their seats and leave in silence. But something different happened at Toho Cinemas Hibiya on February 5.

At the world premiere of Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle, the audience did what they usually don’t. They clapped, shouted, and waved glowing light wands as the movie played. This wasn’t just any film—it was Japan’s first fully interactive movie.

Before the story began, the viewers could download an app that let them vote on rap battles happening on screen. The movie is set in a future Tokyo where women rule the city and force men to compete in rap instead of fighting.

Different crews from Tokyo neighborhoods and other cities battle for the championship, with the final winner facing off against a powerful three-woman team.

The Hypnosis Mic franchise has been around since 2017, starting with rap singles and growing into albums, concerts, games, manga, stage plays, and an anime series. The hype was already huge, and the crowd was excited to see director Tsujimoto Takanori and the voice actors on stage before the screening.

After the film, the Hypnosis Mic social media account was flooded with positive reactions to the movie’s production and interactive nature. Speaking at distributor Toho’s headquarters, Tsujimoto said that choosing rap battles for an interactive movie was obvious because of the franchise’s success.

He admitted that rap is still small in Japan, but animation makes it more approachable. ‘Japanese people love anime, not just kids but adults too,’ he said. ‘The music in Hypnosis Mic is top quality, so I hope people see it as a music movie, not just a rap movie.’

He also said this could change the way people watch movies in Japan. ‘Usually, people here are quiet in theaters, but it’s OK to shout during this one,’ he said. ‘We want everyone to enjoy it in a new way.’

Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle will be released nationwide on February 21.

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