Japan’s First Interactive Movie ‘HYPNOSISMIC’ Turns Theater Into Rap Battle Arena: ‘It’s OK to Shout While Watching This One,’ Director Says

At the world premiere of HYPNOSISMIC – Division Rap Battle – Movie, typically reserved Japanese audiences broke tradition by cheering, applauding, and waving light wands thanks to the film’s fully interactive format that lets viewers vote on rap-battle outcomes through a mobile app. The movie, part of King Records’ popular multimedia HYPNOSISMIC franchise, features six rap “divisions” competing for a national championship and leverages the franchise’s existing fanbase to heighten engagement. Director Tsujimoto Takanori explained that the familiarity of the property and the high-quality music helped make interactive rap battles appealing, even though rap remains a minor genre in Japan. He believes the film will expand possibilities for both the franchise and cinema itself, encouraging audiences to break cultural norms by openly reacting and participating during the screening.