What You Need to Know:
- GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Award nominated animated features, announced today it has acquired the North American distribution rights for SUMMER GHOST, the debut “short feature” from acclaimed Japanese illustrator loundraw.
- Developed from a single illustration from loundraw, the film features original character designs from the artist, and is produced by FLAT STUDIO the all-new animation studio he established in 2019. Joining him on the project are novelist Hirotaka “Otsuichi” Adachi who wrote the screenplay, and internationally renowned pianist Akira Kosemura for the soundtrack.
- Celebrated for his detailed spatial designs, use of transparent, airy colors and attention to depth of field, loundraw began his career as an illustrator when he was a teenager, finding early success on online platforms. He also created key visuals for various notable writers, including and illustration for the novel “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas,” which was later adapted to a theatrical film. Outside of his work in illustration, loundraw’s debut original animation “Until Dreams Awaken” was released on YouTube in collaboration with the wildly popular Japanese rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN, and swiftly hit over 2 million views, and he was concept designer for the recent anime adaptation of Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.
- SUMMER GHOST opened in November 2021 in Japanese cinemas. GKIDS will release SUMMER GHOST theatrically this summer in its original Japanese language version, and an all-new English language dub. It will be paired in theaters with a documentary about the production of the film, and additional special content.
- “We are very excited to introduce American audiences to a major new talent,” said David Jesteadt, President at GKIDS. “With Summer Ghost, loundraw has transferred his emotive illustration style to a story of human connection that meets our current moment.”
SYNOPSIS
A local urban legend claims that lighting fireworks at an abandoned airfield will call the “summer ghost,” a spirit that can answer any question. Three troubled teenagers – Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryo – do not know each other yet, but each has their own reasons to show up one day. When a sparkler is lit, a ghost named Ayane appears, and she reveals she is only visible to those “who are about to touch their death.” The three teens return home, but Tomoya soon begins visiting the airfield alone, as he becomes obsessed with the mystery surrounding Ayane and the true purpose of her visits.
Inspired by one of his own drawings, this remarkable directorial debut from the celebrated illustrator loundraw brings his lush visual sensibility to a poignant supernatural drama about the struggles of growing up, and the importance of living life to the fullest.
Title: Summer Ghost
Director: loundraw
Writer: Hirotaka Adachi (Pen name: “Otsuichi”)
Character Design: loundraw
Music: Akira Kosemura
Country: Japan
Studio: FLAT STUDIO
Run Time: 45 minutes
Source: Official Press Release