Tag: gkids (Page 1 of 2)

‘The Last Blossom’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast and Poster: GKIDS Sets Two-Day Theatrical Release

June 14, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

North American theatrical release: August 30–31, 2026

Synopsis: Former yakuza Akutsu is serving life in prison after a middling career in the underworld. On the night he lays dying in his cell, he reminisces with his only companion — a smart-mouthed flower growing out of a can — about the choices that brought him here, the woman he loved, and a child he would give everything to protect.

Directed by Baku Kinoshita.

Written by Kazuya Konomoto.

Music by cero (Shohei Takagi, Yu Arauchi and Tsubasa Hashimoto).

‘Adolescence of Utena’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Voice Cast and Poster: GKIDS Sets Two-Day Theatrical Release

May 30, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

North American theatrical release date: June 21–22, 2026

Synopsis: Utena enrolls in the prestigious Ohtori Academy on her quest to become a prince, and stumbles into a mysterious cabal of students dueling for possession of the “Rose Bride.” The role belongs to their classmate Anthy, an enigmatic girl who equally captivates and confuses Utena.

While fending off powerful rivals, Utena must uncover the secrets surrounding Anthy and her own desires. As the relationship between the girls intensifies, their thirst for freedom crescendos into a need for revolution.

Adolescence of Utena was originally released in Japanese theaters on August 14, 1999. It arrived on DVD and VHS in North America on October 23, 2001 as Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie — a reference to the anime series that preceded the film.

Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara.

Written by Yoji Enokido.

Music by Shinkichi Mitsumune, J. A. Seazer and Hideto Amari.

‘Another World’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast and Poster: GKIDS Brings Hong Kong Fantasy Drama to North America

May 8, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Theatrical release date: June 5, 2026

Synopsis: Gudo is a Soul Keeper, a spirit who guides human souls into their next life. When he befriends a young girl named Yuri, he discovers that her untimely death has left her cursed with unresolved rage and regret.

As Yuri’s soul teeters on the edge of annihilation, Gudo embarks on a dangerous journey to stop her from unleashing horrible destruction on both the human world and the spirit realm.

Directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung.

Written by Polly Yeung Po Man.

Based on the novel Sennenki: Thousand-Year Journey of an Oni by Naka Saijo.

‘Labyrinth’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast and Poster: New Anime Movie from ‘Macross’ Creator Gets Limited Theatrical Run

April 18, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. release date: In theaters for only two days on May 10 & May 11, 2026

Synopsis: Shiori is a typical high school student who dreams of online stardom, but struggles to capture attention. After an embarrassing video of her goes viral, she gets trapped in her smartphone and replaced by a charismatic alter ego.

As the doppelganger charms the internet and devises a nefarious plot to replace mankind with brainrot, Shiori must partner with other online outcasts to stop her digital counterpart and reclaim her life in the real world.

Directed by Shoji Kawamori, creator of Macross.

Written by Taichi Hashimoto.

Music by yonkey.

‘Decorado’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Poster: GKIDS Acquires North American Rights for Alberto Vázquez’s Dark Comedy

March 24, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 15, 2026

Synopsis: Something is wrong in the city of Anywhere. Arnold, an unemployed middle-aged mouse, confides to his wife Maria that he suspects his entire world is nothing more than a set, and his life a scripted performance.

When his best friend Ramiro dies under mysterious circumstances, he traces the conspiracy to a monolithic corporation whose influence reaches every corner of their daily lives.

Directed by Alberto Vázquez (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children, Unicorn Wars).

Written by F. Xavier Manuel (Jasmine & Jambo) and Alberto Vázquez.

Music by Joseba Beristain.

‘ChaO’ Official Trailer and Release Date: GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to Yasuhiro Aoki’s Romantic Comedy

February 12, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Theatrical release date: April 10, 2026.

Synopsis: In a fantastical future, humans and mermaids share a troubled coexistence.

Stephan, an anxious employee at a shipbuilding company, has big ideas to save the sea. But his life explodes into ecstatic chaos when bubbly mermaid princess Chao proposes marriage out of the blue.

Between shopping sprees, giant robots, and actual fireworks, the unlikely pair flounder through their new romance and unlock their true feelings.

Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki.

Character designs by Hirokazu Kojima.

Music by Takatsugu Muramatsu.

GKIDS Acquires Bruno Bozzetto’s ‘Allegro Non Troppo’ — New Trailer and Poster Revealed

February 11, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

GKIDS has acquired the North American rights to the Bruno Bozzetto catalog, including Allegro Non Troppo.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the newly restored animated musical will screen at Metrograph in New York City starting March 27, 2026.

Synopsis: An enterprising producer believes he has hit upon a winning concept: a program of original animated shorts set to classical music.

Undeterred by warnings that this has already been done by an American named ‘Prisney,’ he rallies an orchestra of geriatric women, a bullish conductor, and an animator that he keeps locked in the dungeon. What could go wrong?

A gleeful sendup of Disney’s Fantasia, Allegro Non Troppo blends live-action slapstick with cheeky animation for a film as joyful and raunchy as it is thoughtful and cutting.

98th Oscars Nominations: KPop Demon Hunters, Elio, Zootopia 2, Arco and Little Amélie Compete for Best Animated Feature Film

January 22, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Best Animated Feature Film:

Arco – Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman.

Elio – Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm.

KPop Demon Hunters – Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong. (“Golden” was also nominated for Best Original Song.)

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain – Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon.

Zootopia 2 – Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino.

Best Animated Short Film:

Butterfly (French title: Papillon) – Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens.

Forevergreen – Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears.

The Girl Who Cried Pearls – Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski.

Retirement Plan – John Kelly and Andrew Freedman.

The Three Sisters – Konstantin Bronzit.

The Oscars ceremony airs live on March 15 at 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT on ABC and Hulu, hosted by Conan O’Brien.

‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Voice Cast and Poster

January 8, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: September 18, 2026

Synopsis: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween — until the clumsy Farmer trashes the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch!

When Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control… With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming the woods of Mossingham, all the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun adventure.

Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker.

Written by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow.

‘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.

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.