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Thermae Romae Creator Got 1 Million Yen/US$10,000 for Film
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Mari Yamazaki, the creator of the Thermae Romae manga, appeared as a guest on the Japanese variety show Jobtune ~ Ano Shokugyō no Himitsu Butcha Kemasu! on TBS on Saturday. Yamazaki revealed that she received about 1 million yen (about US$11,000) for the rights to adapt her manga into a film. Her publisher had suggested that price range for the rights.
Despite being busy drawing the manga, she also interupted her daily routine to promote the film. Sales of original manga did pick up just before and during the film's run.
Overall, the film starring Hitoshi Abe earned 5.98 billion yen (US$66 million), making the film the second-highest grossing film in Japan in 2012. (Box Office Mojo lists that the film has earned US$74 million.) A sequel is slated to begin filming in April and open nationwide during Japan's Golden Week string of holidays in spring 2014.
Fellow manga creator Shuho Sato (Say Hello to Black Jack, The Isle of TOKKOU) also discussed film rights for his Umizaru manga, and said he received 2.5 million yen (US$27,000) for the first film. For the third film, the rights fee was increased by tenfold.
Source: Livedoor News
