This summer, the message will even spread further about how indomitable the human spirit is to different kinds of adversity in Sunao Katabuchi’s adaptation of Fumiyo Kouno’s manga, In This Corner of the World, in theatres around North America. In this tale, the life of soon to be wed Suzu Urano is looked at. As she settles into the life in Kure City on the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture during World War II, the darker elements are always looming.
Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, and Animatsu Entertainment, a London-based producer, licensor and distributor of anime in the UK and Ireland, have entered into an exclusive film deal to distribute this movie in North America and abroad across various platforms. Animatsu will handle the rollout which will start in England, France, and South America.
The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; and Animatsu Entertainment’s Chief Operating Officer, Jerome Mazandarani.
“This truly is a unique and exquisite film, one which only comes around once every few decades, and we are incredibly proud to be involved with it. Unique films deserve unique partners and Shout! Factory are an absolute perfect match given their passion, expertise and back catalogue of releases.” said Andrew Hewson, Head of Acquisitions & Marketing at Animatsu Entertainment.
“We couldn’t be more excited and honored about this new opportunity with Animatsu, Sunao, Genco and Mappa animation studio. Beautiful and deeply moving, In This Corner of the World is a captivating, socially relevant film that will impact everyone who sees it,” said Melissa Boag, Senior Vice President of Kids & Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory. “We look forward to presenting this remarkable hand-drawn animated film to animation enthusiasts and North American movie audiences this year.”
“Here is a film to celebrate. At once heartbreaking and inspiring, light and melancholy, it’s a profoundly intimate work with dimensional characters persevering and finding their humanity in the most challenging of circumstances. Sunao Katabuchi has created an instant classic,” said Jordan Fields, Vice President of Acquisitions at Shout! Factory.
In This Corner of the World premiered at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival in October and started its theatrical run in Japan November 12. Since then, the love for this movie is evident in the box office returns and additional theaters added. According to Anime News Network, the movie earned 92 million yen (approx US$809,674) and sold about 70,000 tickets during the Jan 21-22, 2017 weekend. Its total returns at present is hitting the 1.5 billion yen (US$13 million) mark and it will no doubt continue growing.