What You Need to Know:
- This is a news post that will show you all news from GKIDS regarding their newly released Blu-rys and DVDs, to movie screening, and licensing acquisitions.
- Scroll down below to see all the news this past couple of weeks and get ready for some sxciting entertainment from Stubio Ghibli and more!
- Sunday, June 26, 2022 - 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM Local Time (English Dubbed)
- Monday, June 27, 2022 – 7:00 PM Local Time (Japanese with Subtitles)
- And that is it for now, folks! Make sure to follow GKIDS on social media and keep coming back to Honey's Anime for more great news and content!
Tickets On Sale Now for “THE DEER KING” Fan Preview Screenings on July 13 & 14
English Dub Cast and All New English Language Trailer Released
Tickets are on sale now for THE DEER KING, the new feature from beloved Japanese animation veterans Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji. GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, has continued their partnership with Fathom Events, putting on fan preview events for THE DEER KING, which will play in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, July 13th (Japanese language), and Thursday, July 14th (English language dubbed). In addition to the full feature, audiences will view a special introduction from Director Masashi Ando, exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings. Fan preview events will be followed by a limited theatrical release in select markets nationwide by GKIDS starting Friday, July 15th.
Animated by the acclaimed studio Production I.G, the film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator Masashi Ando, who previously worked as a character designer, animation director, and key animator with the famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), and with directors Satoshi Kon (Paprika, “Paranoia Agent”) and Makoto Shinkai (your name.). Co-director Masayuki Miyaji is best known for directing the 2009 series “Xam’s: Lost Memories” and work on Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbors The Yamadas. The original book series, by author Nahoko Uehashi, won the Booksellers Award and the fourth Japan Medical Novel Award in 2015, and has printed 2.2 million copies in Japan to date. Known for their work in series and feature animation, notable works from animation studio Production I.G include the legendary film Ghost in the Shell, and highly influential series “FLCL,” “Haikyu!!,” and “Psycho Pass.” The studio’s 2011 feature A Letter to Momo and 2015 feature Miss Hokusai are also distributed by GKIDS.
Tickets are now on sale at FathomEvents.com, TheDeerKing.com and participating theater box offices. The ticket on-sale date may vary based on local cinemas, so please check back often. (Theaters and participants are subject to change).
ENGLISH CAST LIST
Van – Ray Chase
Hohsalle – Griffin Puatu
Sae – Erica Schroeder
Yuna – Luciana VanDette
Tohlim – Doug Stone
Aquafa King – Neil Kaplan
Kenoi – Frank Todaro
Makokan – Luis Bermudez
Ohfan – Keith Silverstein
Yotalu – Chris Hackney
Utalu – Doug Erholtz
Shikan – Xander Mobus
Van's Wife – Larissa Gallagher
Van's Son – Michael Deaner
Tohma – Stefan Martello
Ohma – Steve Kramer
Ohma's Wife – Edna Larsen
Kiya – Larissa Gallagher
Yoki – Marc Thompson
Yoki's Wife – Stephanie Sheh
Yoki's Son – Michael Deaner
Hohsalle’s Assistant – Grant George
Kazan Woman – Stephanie Sheh
SYNOPSIS
In the aftermath of a brutal war, former soldier Van toils in a mine controlled by the ruling empire. One day, his solitary existence is upended when a pack of wild dogs carrying a deadly and incurable disease attack, leaving only Van and a young girl named Yuna as survivors. Finally free, the pair seek out a simple existence in the countryside but are pursued by nefarious forces. Intent on protecting Yuna at all costs, Van must uncover the true cause of the plague ravaging the kingdom—and its possible cure.
The Deer King is a sweeping fantasy epic that marks the directing debut of Masashi Ando, whose work on such landmark films as Spirited Away, Paprika, and Your Name. helped shape the world of modern animation.
Tickets On Sale Now for “THE CAT RETURNS” 20th Anniversary Screenings
Hiroyuki Morita’s Fantastical Tale Returns to the Big Screen for Studio Ghibli Fest 2022
Tickets are on sale now for the commemorative 20th anniversary screenings of adored director Hiroyuki Morita’s imaginative feline feature The Cat Returns, the third film to hit the big screens for Studio Ghibli Fest 2022. GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events, are proud to continue their collaboration, and deliver a slate of seven timeless animated classics from the legendary Studio Ghibli to U.S. cinemas this year with Studio Ghibli Fest 2022.
The film will be shown in both original Japanese and English dubbed versions. In addition to the full feature, audiences will get to view an all-new selection of exclusive footage from the 2005 documentary “Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum,” available to view for the first time outside of Japan.
Tickets for The Cat Returns and the rest of Ghibli Fest 2022 can be purchased online by visiting GhibliFest.com, FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices (Theaters and participants are subject to change).
The Cat Returns
Gkids Releases All New Trailer For
The New Feature Film from Acclaimed Director Masaaki Yuasa Will Be Presented at This Year’s Annecy Film Festival Arrives in Theaters Nationwide On August 12th
GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Awardâ-nominated animated features, released an all-new trailer for INU-OH, the latest feature film from renowned director Masaaki Yuasa (Ride Your Wave, Keep Your Hands Off Of Eizokuen!), ahead of the film’s presentation at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival. In addition to the feature presentation at the festival, the visionary filmmaker has returned to Annecy honored as the patron of the 2022 Mifa campus. In 2020, INU-OH was presented as a work in progress at the festival.
GKIDS recently announced that INU-OH will arrive in cinemas nationwide starting August 12th. The film made its world debut at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, followed by a North American premiere at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival, marking the lauded director’s first invitation to both festivals.
Featuring character creation from manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet), who previously collaborated with Yuasa on the anime adaptation of Matsumoto’s series Ping Pong the Animation, the musical animated feature tells the story of the friendship between the legendary 14th century Noh performer Inu-oh, and the blind biwa player Tomona. As the two rise from hardship to stardom through their creative partnership, they also come to break each other’s curse.
Animated by Japanese production company Science SARU INC., in collaboration with its partner, the Japanese production, distribution, and sales company Asmik Ace, Inc., the feature opened domestically in Japan on May 28th.
INU-OH marks GKIDS’ fifth feature title from visionary director Masaaki Yuasa, following local releases of Lu Over the Wall, The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, Mind Game, and most recently, Ride Your Wave.
SYNOPSIS
From visionary director Masaaki Yuasa, hailed by IndieWire as “one of the most creatively unbridled minds in all of modern animation," comes a revisionist rock opera about a 14th-century superstar whose dance moves take Japan by storm.
Born to an esteemed family, Inu-oh is afflicted with an ancient curse that has left him on the margins of society. When he meets the blind musician Tomona, a young biwa priest haunted by his past, Inu-oh discovers a captivating ability to dance. The pair quickly become business partners and inseparable friends as crowds flock to their electric, larger-than-life concerts. But when those in power threaten to break up the band, Inu-oh and Tomona must dance and sing to uncover the truth behind their creative gifts.
Featuring character creation by Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet, “Ping Pong the Animation”) and awe-inspiring vocals by Avu-chan (Queen Bee) and Mirai Moriyama, INU-OH is a glam-rock ode to the power of music and a forceful statement on artistic freedom from one of animation’s singular talents.
Gkids Acquires North American Rights to “Inu-Oh” the New Feature Film From Acclaimed Director Masaaki Yuasa
Work in Progress Presented at the 2020 Annecy Film Festival
© “INU-OH” Film Partners, CONCEPT CHARACTER DESIGNS BY TAIYO MATSUMOTO © “INU-OH” Film Partners
GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, Japanese production company Science SARU INC. and its partner Asmik Ace, Inc., Japanese production, distribution and sales company, announced that GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights for the animated feature INU-OH, the latest feature from acclaimed director Masaaki Yuasa (Ride Your Wave, Keep Your Hands Off Of Eizokuen!). Presented as a work in progress at the 2020 Annecy Film Festival, the musical animated feature tells the story of the friendship between the legendary 14th century Noh performer Inu-Oh, and the blind Biwa player Tomona. As the two rise from hardship to stardom through their creative partnership, they may break each other’s curse. The film features character creation from manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet), who previously collaborated with Yuasa on the anime adaptation of Matsumoto’s series Ping Pong the Animation. INU-OH marks GKIDS’ fifth title from visionary director Masaaki Yuasa, following local releases of Lu Over the Wall, The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, Mind Game, and most recently, Ride Your Wave. GKIDS will theatrically release the film in 2021.
David Jesteadt of GKIDS and Mai Kato of Asmik Ace negotiated the deal for North American rights.
“With each new project, Masaaki Yuasa continues to push in new and exciting directions across genres and styles,” said GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “INU-OH is already one of our most anticipated films of 2021, and we can’t wait to share more of Yuasa’s remarkable work with his fellow fans.”
Eunyoung Choi of Science SARU, producer of INU-OH, said “GKIDS is no doubt one of the most acclaimed animation distributors with an impressive catalogue of films, and we are so happy that they are releasing INU-OH in North America. The way people see Japanese culture is getting much deeper, more diversified and sophisticated these days. This is the best timing ever to bring real, fascinating Japanese traditional culture to the fellow fans in North America, and to the world! Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU are teaming up again, taking on the challenge to show a unique view of Noh with a fresh new look. We are looking forward to sharing with you.”
Fumie Takeuchi of Asmik Ace, producer of INU-OH, said “I have been excited to deliver audiences this new film next year, being created with director Masaaki Yuasa, producer Eunyoung Choi and their production team, whom I worked for The Tatami Galaxy together. GKIDS is the distributor who has been bringing wonderful animations of the world to the North American audiences with passion and affection for more than 10 years. I am so happy and reassured having GKIDS to this brand-new voyage with director Masaaki Yuasa.”
SYNOPSIS
Inu-Oh is born with unique physical characteristics, and the horrified adults cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, he meets a boy named Tomona, a blind biwa player, and as Tomona plays a delicate song of tangled fate, Inu-Oh discovers an incredible ability to dance.
Inu-Oh and Tomona become business partners and inseparable friends, using their creative gifts to survive on the margins of society, as song after song gain them notoriety and propel them to stardom. Through the songs, Inu-Oh mesmerizes his audiences on stage, and gradually begins to transform into someone of unequaled beauty. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-Oh born with unique characteristics? It is a story about the friendship of Inu-Oh and Tomona, who dance and sing to get to the truth and break each other’s curse.
Source: Official Press Release