Tag: gkids (Page 1 of 2)

‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain’: English Trailer, Release Date, Voice Cast and Poster Revealed

October 31, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: October 31, 2025 in select markets. Nationwide on November 7, 2025.

Synopsis: The world is a perplexing, peaceful mystery to Amélie until a miraculous encounter with chocolate ignites her wild sense of curiosity.

As she develops a deep attachment to her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie discovers the wonders of nature as well as the emotional truths hidden beneath the surface of her family’s idyllic life as foreigners in post-war Japan.

Directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.

Written by Liane-Cho Han, Aude Py, Maïlys Vallade and Eddine Noël.

Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb

‘All You Need Is Kill’ Anime Adaptation: Trailer, Release Date and Cast Revealed

October 17, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Japanese release date: January 9, 2026.

U.S. release date: January 16, 2026.

Synopsis: Set in the year 20XX, All You Need Is Kill follows the story of Rita, a resourceful but isolated young woman volunteering to help rebuild Japan after the mysterious appearance of a massive alien flower known as “Darol.”

When Darol unexpectedly erupts in a deadly event, unleashing monstrous creatures that decimate the population, Rita is caught in the destruction and killed. But then she wakes up again. And again.

Caught in an endless time loop, Rita must navigate the trauma and repetition of death until she crosses paths with Keiji, a shy young man trapped in the same cycle.

Together, they fight to break free from the loop and find meaning in the chaos around them.

Directed by Kenichiro Akimoto.
Co-directed by Yukinori Nakamura.
Written by Yuichiro Kido.
Character designs by Izumi Murakami.
Music by Yasuhiro Maeda.
Theme song “Tsuretette” by AKASAKI.

Based on the light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution’ Trailer, Release Date and Poster: Compilation Film Heads to Theaters Before Series Returns for Season 3

September 19, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. theatrical release date: December 5, 2025.

Japanese theatrical release date: November 7, 2025.

Synopsis: A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away.

Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident.

In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes.

Based on the manga by Gege Akutami.

‘100 Meters’ Trailer, Release Date, Cast & Poster: GKIDS Brings Track and Field Anime to U.S. Theaters

August 30, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Netflix release date: December 31, 2025.

U.S. theatrical release date: October 10, 2025 (Los Angeles) and October 12–14, 2025 (nationwide event release).

Synopsis: 100 Meters follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort.

But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what.

Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves.

Directed by Kenji Iwaisawa.
Written by Yasuyuki Muto.
Based on the manga by Uoto.
Score composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi.
Theme song is “Rashisa” by Higedan.

HBO Max & GKIDS Expand Partnership as 20 Acclaimed Japanese Films Roll Out Beginning September 1

August 17, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

HBO Max and GKIDS have extended and expanded their partnership, adding twenty more films from award-winning filmmakers to the streaming platform.

On September 1, the following films will premiere on HBO Max:

Children Who Chase Lost Voices – Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Fireworks – Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko – Directed by Ayumu Watanabe (North American Streaming Debut)

Ghost Cat Anzu – Directed by Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita (North American Streaming Debut)

Lonely Castle in the Mirror – Directed by Keiichi Hara (North American Streaming Debut)

Love & Pop – Directed by Hideaki Anno (North American Streaming Debut)

The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Your Name. – Directed by Makoto Shinkai (4K Streaming Debut)

‘Witch Watch’: Teaser Trailer and English Language Cast Revealed for Anime Series Based on Popular Manga

March 7, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: April 6, 2025 on ADN, Aniplus, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and Tropics.

Dubbed episodes in English will stream three weeks after their Japanese television broadcast, beginning April 27, 2025.

Synopsis: Morihito Otogi, a high school student who comes from a lineage of ogres, enjoys a peaceful, ordinary life until his childhood friend, Nico, moves in with him.

Nico is a witch-in-training, and chooses Morihito to be her familiar. While Nico is thrilled to reunite with her old friend and crush, Morihito is tasked with the perilous duty to protect her from a foretold calamity.

Between the unpredictable chaos caused by Nico’s magic, and the awkwardness of sharing a home, their lives become a whirlwind of supernatural hijinks and threats.

‘Ghost Cat Anzu’ Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Cast List: Takashi Imashiro’s Manga Gets Anime Adaptation

October 24, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

North American release date: November 15, 2024.

Synopsis: Precocious tween Karin finds herself abandoned by her father in rural Japan. Living in a temple with her grandfather, she meets Anzu, a giant “ghost cat” and notorious layabout tasked with looking after her.

Distrustful of her new guardian, Karin sabotages Anzu’s odd jobs for the townsfolk and befriends the eccentric local forest spirits. In an effort to win Karin over, Anzu accidentally makes a deal with the devil, and all Hell breaks loose.

‘Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Poster and Cast List: GKIDS Brings Belgian-French Co-Production to North America

October 14, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: September 17, 2024.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (French: Sirocco et le Royaume des Courants d’Air) is available for digital rental and purchase on Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube, Fandango at Home and Google TV.

Synopsis: One day, the adventurous Juliette and her sister Carmen find an enchanted toy and get swept away into the Kingdom of Winds.

They are transformed into cats and find themselves in a fantastical new world full of flying divas, technicolor dragons, and other mind-melting creations.

When Juliette causes an accident that draws the ire of the local inhabitants, the Mayor gives Juliette to the beautiful songstress Selma and sentences Carmen to marry his son as punishment.

The sisters must find a way to escape before the wedding bells ring, but the key to their journey home lies with Sirocco, the mysterious wizard feared for his ferocious storms.

‘Ghost Cat Anzu’ Official Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Poster and Japanese Cast List: GKIDS Brings Yoko Kuno’s Directorial Debut to North America

September 23, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

North American release date: November 15, 2024.

Synopsis: Precocious tween Karin finds herself abandoned by her father in rural Japan. Living in a temple with her grandfather, she meets Anzu, a giant “ghost cat” and notorious layabout tasked with looking after her.

Distrustful of her new guardian, Karin sabotages Anzu’s odd jobs for the townsfolk and befriends the eccentric local forest spirits. In an effort to win Karin over, Anzu accidentally makes a deal with the devil, and all Hell breaks loose.

‘The Colors Within’ Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Poster: GKIDS Acquires Distribution Rights to Science SARU’s ‘Kimi no Iro’ Anime

August 31, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

North American release date: January 24, 2025.
Japanese release date: August 30, 2024.

Synopsis: Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all.

Although she doesn’t play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true ‘colors’?

‘Look Back’ Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Poster: GKIDS Acquires Film Based on Manga by ‘Chainsaw Man’ Creator

August 25, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Theatrical release date: October 4, 2024.
Streaming release date: November 7, 2024 on Prime Video.

Synopsis: Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing.

Look Back is based on a Japanese one-shot web manga written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto, creator of Chainsaw Man.

Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama.

‘Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence’ Official Trailer, Synopsis and Poster: Iconic Anime Returns to Theaters With New 4K Restoration

May 22, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Director Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence celebrates its 20th anniversary with a new 4K restoration and a return to North American theaters beginning June 23, 2024.

Synopsis: In the year 2032, the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction.

A string of murders perpetrated by a prototype android model has drawn the attention of Public Security Section 9, a unit specializing in counter cyber-terrorism.

With none of the victims’ families pressing charges, suspicions arise regarding the nature of the androids and their production company.

In the course of the investigation, the almost entirely cyber-bodied agent Batou, and his still human partner Togusa embark on a journey through a technological dystopia, taking on ferocious Yakuza thugs, devious hackers, government bureaucrats, and corporate criminals to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime.

Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Wins Best Animated Feature Film at 96th Academy Awards

March 12, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Twenty-one years after winning an Oscar for Spirited Away at the 75th Academy Awards, Hayao Miyazaki and the team at Studio Ghibli are once again victorious, winning Best Animated Feature Film for The Boy and the Heron.

Toshio Suzuki, producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder released the following statement:

“As producer [along with Hayao Miyazaki] of The Boy and the Heron, I am extremely honored to receive the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Academy. I would also like to give my thanks to those who were involved in the production of this film, and to all those who worked to distribute the film worldwide.

This film began with director Hayao Miyazaki retracting his retirement statement. Following that, we spent seven years in the production of this work. It has been ten years since Hayao Miyazaki’s previous film, The Wind Rises, during which time there have been dramatic changes in the environment surrounding films. This film was truly difficult to bring to completion. I am very appreciative that the work that was created after overcoming these difficulties has been seen by so many people around the world, and that it has received this recognition.

Both Hayao Miyazaki and have aged a considerable amount. I am grateful to receive such an honor at my age, and taking this as a message to continue our work, will devote myself to work harder in the future. Thank you very much.”

‘Chicken for Linda!’ Trailer, Synopsis, Release Date and Posters

February 29, 2024 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

GKIDS will release Chicken for Linda! in select U.S. theaters starting April 5, 2024.

Synopsis: Paulette feels guilty after unjustly punishing her daughter Linda and would do anything to make it up to her. Linda immediately asks for a meal of chicken with peppers, which reminds her of the dish her father used to make.

But with a general strike closing stores all across town and pushing people into the streets, this innocent request quickly leads to an outrageous series of events that spirals out of control, as Paulette does everything she can to keep her promise and find a chicken for Linda.

Chicken for Linda! is directed by husband-and-wife team Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach. Malta is best known for her feature Simple Women, while Laudenbach is best known for The Girl Without Hands.

‘The Boy and the Heron’ Official English Trailer

November 5, 2023 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Premieres December 8, 2023 in theaters and IMAX. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.