Tag: GKIDS

Studio 4°C’s ChaO: An Enchanting Tale That’s More Than Just a Fairy Tale Romance

A bold and emotional story blending mermaid mythology, interspecies romance, wild mecha rides, and high-stakes drama, ChaO makes a memorable splash.

ChaO Movie Poster English)
This movie played at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival on July 27th.

GKIDS

When a movie simply titled ChaO begins with an account of a mermaid saving a boy from drowning, writer/director Yasuhiro Aoki moves away from the idea of presenting another fairy tale. Unlike those fantasy yarns from long ago, what we find here is perhaps more inspired from Splash! that Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah film is more of a sitcom about a fish out of water trying to get used to living in the human world, and in this anime, what’s offered here is similar.

In this presentation, Stefan (Oji Suzuka) and Princess Ao Sonni Chao Neptunus (Anna Yamada) haven’t even had their first date. Technically, this film begins in the present, where the surface world lives in harmony with the aquatic one. Here, we find that this human has moved on. Although the plot makes Juno (Shunsei Ōta) look like the protagonist, he is not. He’s a reporter who loses a scoop to a story, but when he finds Stefan, this chance to interview the sailor may well save him from being fired! During my second viewing, I noticed he’s similar to the actual lead, because both are wishy-washy.

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Revisiting the Poignant Classic: Grave of the Fireflies on Home Video and Theatrical Presentation Coming Soon!

Fans of Studio Ghibli can look forward to a new limited edition Steelbook release of Grave of the Fireflies with special features, alongside a theatrical re-release opportunity.

Grave of the Fireflies Steelbook Edition
Available to order at Amazon USA

Release Date:
July 8, 2025

As Studio Ghibli’s catalogue of works continues to get new re-releases under the GKIDS label (distributed by Shout! Studios), some fans may well want to get the limited edition Steelbook edition that’s being released this week. But to truly appreciate this film directed by Isao Takahata, we recommend checking your local theatre listings for when Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 begins!

This annual event puts these films onto the silver screen where they should belong, and every year, the rotation of works are slightly different. While it’s very likely the digital version will be used over a 35mm film print, there’s no denying the power of this movie will leave many in tears. There’s no need to go into an extensive review, since what’s coming is a haunting look at a troublesome time about those Japanese people trying to survive during World War II.

Below, is a list about what’s notable in this release. Some folks opt to collect this studio’s works one at a time instead of buying it all in one go:

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When Coping With Loss, Ghost Cat Anzu is Here to Save the Day!

Although available on digital last month, the movie Ghost Cat Anzu is finally available on home video. That way, this feline won’t get away at all, since he’s like a welcome member of the family. There’s no added features in this release, and that’s just fine.

Ghost Cat Anzu Bluray Cover
Available to order on Amazon USA

GKIDS & Shout! Studios

Ghost Cat Anzu is a rather strange spirit, and he’s ready to manifest for folks who want a little help in their lives! With the home video release, fans can hit the pause button if they want to compare this cinematic adaptation with the manga. When the print edition is ongoing, that need find out what he’s been up to since has my curiousity maxed out! I’m sure to read about what else this bakeneko is up to won’t kill me.

People adore this big giant cat (voiced by Mirai Moriyama) because he’s like Norm from Cheers. In the dub, Jason Simon sounds like George Wendt too! Everyone in the town knows his name. And when he acts more like a human than that of an oversized feline, I suspect there’s more to him than meets the eye. Although he’s a little rough around the edges, that’s okay.

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After 45 Glorious Years, Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Delves Into What Ifs….

This cinematic presentation of Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- brings the first four television episodes together and shows an alternate future for this franchise.

Mobile Suit Gundam- GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-GKIDS
Spoiler Alert
Now playing at select cinemas near you.

Mobile Suit Gundam is back with GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-! Not only does it reimagine the events from the original television series but also explores a huge what if scenario. Here, Char Aznable (Yuuki Shin) is the antihero who claims the RX-78-2. He’s the ultimate Mr. Bad Guy, and after he steals that said mech and christens it as the “Red Gundam” to win the One Year War, both he and his mech disappear! As for when that happens, before or after Char’s Counterattack, I’m not sure. The first act moves very fast, and I’d have to rewatch.

Consequently, I have to ask will he return? Instead of getting to the answer, the movie presentation jumps ahead by a few years, and introduces Amate Yuzuriha (Tomoyo Kurosawa). This teen finds life in a colony space habitat frustrating. Life in high school isn’t all that good either, and this leads to the usual tropes involved in many an anime.

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Celebrating An Anime X-mas with GKIDS and Shout! Studios In This Look Back of 2024 Releases

We got more to mention since also checking out the GKIDS & Shout! Studios’ website for the latest info on what else to expect early in 2025.

Shout! Studios New Logo Anime X-mas

Shout! Studios and GKIDS have certainly kept busy with releasing some top hits this year, and in this roundup is a list of our favourites to consider for the gift-giving season. While some folks opt for an anime X-mas, others have their own traditions. Also, we got news about one wintery treat for next year.

We have also included reviews where possible, since they released earlier this year.

THE BOY AND THE HERON (4K) & REVIEW

The Boy and the Heron 4KStudio Ghibli’s latest release is Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal film to date! We’ve seen it on the big screen and to watch it again on the small screen with all the bonus material made me appreciate this movie more. For my original review, please check it out here.

There’s details that aren’t as well known, and what’s revealed here are featurettes to truly understand what went on.

This new release offers a 4K transfer with a superior color palette compared to previous works (which lacked an ultra-HD release), and it’s almost tempting for collectors like me to upgrade to the latest video format rather than keep them all. I began with region 2 DVDs, which I still own, and then blu-ray happened.

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Breezing onto VOD this Week: Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds

One of the reasons why Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds is taking its time to arrive on home media is that it should celebrate the season too, and Autumn feels just right.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds Movie PosterGKIDS & Shout! Studios
Now available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds is one of those wonderful and whimsical films I’ll gladly see time and time again, and it’s now available on demand! One reason is that it’s wildly colourful. When two kids get dropped off for a weekend with their babysitter, who is a well established writer of children’s fiction, little do they know that her words have power. One day, an illustration comes to life, and this mysterious rabbit (technically he isn’t one) says there’s trouble in the magical realm, it’s up to Juliette and her sister to venture into the Kingdom of the Winds instead of visiting Oz to do what’s right.

In a move considered very Studio Ghibli, they transform into anthropomorphic cats and do what they can to find the mysterious Sirocco, and save another woman as well. But when this person Selma has a connection to this strange magician, things aren’t as what they seem. To note, the real world connection is important, and that’s a detail I won’t spoil.

A more detailed review about this movie can be read here. I’m glad to view this movie again since this animation is one of two features acquired by GKIDS to be featured either theatrically or play at film festivals this year. I wanted to see this work again since it had a lot of magical moments to adore, and hoped to find it again. As for the eventual home video release, I don’t expect to find bonus features to be included and that’s okay.

The other work I’m anxious to see Ghost Cat Anzu, and I hope this feature will “haunt” cinemas this Autumn or be delivered to digital!

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds Trailer