TOKYO -- After getting off to a slow start, distrib Toho finished 2007 with a B.O. bang, setting a new company record of 59.5 billion yen ($561.4 million), for a 2.2% year-on gain.
The company was running below its 2006 B.O. -- the former record holder, until December, when it raked in $55.5 million -- double the total for the same month the previous year. The December hit parade was led by animal pic "A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies," nostalgic dramedy "Always 2," samurai swashbuckler "Tsubaki Sanjuro" and toons "Bleach 2" and "Tamagotchi."
Nine of the top 10 Japanese titles year were distribbed by Toho, with legal drama "Hero" heading the list at $75.6 million.
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