Tag: GKIDS

Kaiju and Ghibli Fans Rejoice! Toho and GKIDS (Studio Ghibli) to Release Their Films in December for America.

Studio Ghibli and Toho is coming to America in December, and just who will dominate depends. The Boy and the Heron, or will it be Godzilla Minus One?

The Boy and the Heron English Poster - Studio GhibliThe English dubbed trailer recently dropped for Studio Ghibli‘s The Boy and the Heron and it looks good! When there’s top notch performers coming in to provide a track for those who prefer this release over the other (i.e. subtitles), it’s sure to be a hit! and I’m looking forward to check out both. You can’t go wrong with Mark Hamill! For a full list of credits, please check out GKIDS official webpage here.

As excitement builds for what is presumedly Hayao Miazaki’s final film, GKIDS is offering early screenings in select cities across the United States of America, and hopefully Cineplex Cinemas will follow suit. They have not made any formal announcements yet, but it’s safe to say there will be screenings. Fans are encouraged to contact their local major theatre chain for when it will be screening there.

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The Deets Are In Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films. Celebrating the Magic!

If you haven’t seen this visionary’s films, then this package coming at the end of the year is for you! Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films is coming soon!

Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Package ArtRelease Date:
Dec 19, 2023

Best known for his trademark blends of inventive visual artistry and emotion-packed, sharp narrative, the visionary animator and director Masaaki Yuasa boasts a captivating library of films that is beloved and acclaimed all over the world. Now from the ingenious filmmaker comes the exquisite collection Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films, by GKIDS with distribution from Shout! Studios.

Widely regarded as one of the most imaginative and influential filmmakers working in animation, Masaaki Yuasa’s energetic style has been compared to Tex Avery and Max Fleischer. He is one of contemporary anime’s most prolific auteurs and has lent his humour and dynamism to genres as diverse as psychedelic thrillers, transcendent rock-operas and sweetly subversive teen romances.

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When There’s Nothing Left. What Can The “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” Offer?

Had this home video release included a featurette interviewing directors Keiichi Hara and Takakazu Nagatomo explaining the film, I’d appreciate Lonely Castle in the Mirror a lot more.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror Blu-ray Cover
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Now Available on Home Video
Shout! Studios & GKIDS

Fans of Mizuki Tsujimura‘s Japanese fantasy book are more likely to purchase the animated adaptation of Lonely Castle in the Mirror than others, and honestly, I feel it shouldn’t be avoided. It deals with a difficult narrative in how to deal with life when it deals you lemons. It’s not just about bullying. And what’s taught here is that there are ways to find empowerment.

Although what’s shown doesn’t get deep into self-improvement, perhaps I should look at Tomo Taketomi’s manga instead. This movie follows the misery Kokoro (Ami Tôma) faces daily. She’s been teased, intimidated and perhaps more. With nowhere to retreat, how she manages at home is equally isolating, and it’s a shame.

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Big News for Fans of Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga. GKIDs acquires Blue Giant!

Fans can thrill to the delight of Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga, Blue Giant, getting a cinematic treatment as it’ll soon come to North America later this year!

Blue Giant Original Japanese Movie PosterGKIDS has the North American distribution rights for the music drama Blue Giant, and it should be playing in theatres by the end of this year. The deal was negotiated between this company and Toho following its sneak preview at the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and for GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt, he said, “Blue Giant is a thrilling and moving exploration of what it takes to pursue true artistic and creative excellence,” said “We are proud to share this special film that captures the spirit of the beloved manga for a new audience, with one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in years.”

This animated extravaganza is directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, whose credits include directing the mega hit anime series “Mob Psycho 100”, as well as the cult hit series “Death Parade,” “DECA-DENCE,” and the latest film in the blockbuster Detective Conan franchise, Detective Conan: The Black Iron Submarine.

From the Press Release:

Blue Giant is adapted from the internationally-renowned manga of the same name, written by manga artist Shinichi Ishizuka. The series won the Japan Media Arts Festival Award and the Shogakukan Manga Award, and was nominated for the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize and as “Comic of the Year” at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. NUMBER 8, the editor of the original manga, joined the film production to write the script.

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The Anime Living in a Lonely Castle in the Mirror Gets a Release Date!

GKIDS will release Lonely Castle In The Mirror theatrically in both its original Japanese language and an all-new English dubbed version.

LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR Teaser PosterGKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary as a producer and distributor of award-winning and artist-driven animation from around the world, announced today it will bring Lonely Castle in the Mirror, to select theatres nationwide for event showings on June 21 and 22nd only. Directed by Keiichi Hara (Miss Hokusai, Colorful, The Wonderland), the film features animation from the lauded A-1 Pictures, and is adapted from the beloved novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura.

This movie held its International Premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival–marking the first time a Japanese animated feature was selected for the festival–and additionally had its US premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. It was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and was released domestically in Japan in December 2022, grossing over one billion yen.

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All You Need is ♡ to be Whisked Away By Spirited Away: Live on Stage’s Magical Adventure

When a wide-shot was cut to, the thought of viewing Spirited Away: Live on Stage, from the best seats in the house crossed my mind.

Spirited Away: Live on StageRemaining showtimes: April 27 & May 2
Please check GKIDS official website for a theatre near you.

The next time Spirited Away: Live on Stage is offered for the authentic experience, I’m booking a trip! It played at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre in 2022, and had a rotating cast. Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi played the title role, and both performances were committed to tape in front of a live audience.

As part of GKIDS‘ annual commitment to celebrate the works of Studio Ghibli, the recorded show is making its USA debut this year. I was fortunate to time my trip to Seattle right so I can see it. Part of the reason for not being available in other countries may be due to licensing. A home video release is expected, but there’s no official announcement yet. I want to see both.

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