‘This Is It!’ Sales Record

DVD and Blu-ray sales of the Michael Jackson rehearsal documentary “This Is It!” amounted to a whopping $18 million on the first day the title went on sale in Japan.

That’s a new record for video software, according to Oricon magazine.

To break it down, $11.3 million worth of DVDs and $6.7 million worth of Blu-ray discs were sold Jan. 26.

The previous opening-day record was held by the animated Japanese feature “Ponyo,” which racked up a meager $6.2 million in comparison.

One of the reasons given for the enormous sales is that Sony is not allowing video outlets and other businesses to offer “This Is It!” for rental, which means the only way people can see it is to buy it, at least for the time being.

Another boost was provided by Orianthi Panagaris, the Australian guitarist who figures prominently in the movie.

Her debut solo album, Believe, went on sale in Japan last week and she was in the country doing promotion practically everywhere, reminding people about the movie in addition to plugging her own music.

She also appeared on the long-running TV music show “Music Fair” playing guitar for J-pop diva Kumi Koda on the singer’s latest hit, “Ningyohime” (Doll Princess).