A conveyor-belt sushi chain and a canned-coffee brand are becoming some of the biggest beneficiaries as the success of Japan’s biggest movie in years boosts a range of related stocks.
Shares in Kura Sushi Inc., which runs more than 460 restaurants across Japan, have surged 14% this month and are trading near levels last seen in 2018. The broader benchmark Topix index fell 0.4% over the period. The rally has been driven by rising sales boosted by a campaign with the animated movie "Demon Slayer — Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Mugen Train,” which has broken multiple records since opening earlier this month and may be on course to become Japan’s biggest-ever box office.
Five plates of sushi at the restaurant lets customers play a game to win badges and other merchandise featuring "Demon Slayer” characters. "We think customers were very pleased with the merchandise, and we have high expectations for the October same-store sales,” Mayu Kuromi, a Kura Sushi spokesperson, said.