GKIDS acquire the rights to Children Of The Sea
Continuing on the huge success of promoting up and coming Japanese animated films, GKIDS has acquired to rights to to the next film to come out from STUDIO4°C. The animation studio who were involved with the production of films like MFKZ, Mind Game, Animatrix and many stand out works. The film is an adaptation by a manga of the same name, written by Daisuke Igarashi, and the film itself is directed by Ayumu Watanabe (After the Rain, Ace Attorney TV series). Aside from the gorgeous visuals, the film's soundtrack promises to be phenomenal due to the participation of Joe Hisashi, one of the leading composers for many of Studio Ghibli's hit films.
A combination that has stirred up a lot of excitement over at GKIDS.
"We have been super-excited about Children of the Sea since the first six-minute clip blew us away over a year ago. I am thrilled to be working once more with the incomparable STUDIO4°C and can't wait to bring this film to North American audiences. The film is nothing short of spectacular." said GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman
This enthusiasm is equally shared by the staff at STUDIO4°C.
"We have succeeded in expressing a celebration of life through the highest quality of beautifully detailed Japanese traditional hand-drawn animation. This coupled with a beautifully detailed musical score from Joe Hisaishi, one of the most appreciated musicians worldwide, we hope will bring audiences even closer to the film. After more than 5 years since the start of pre-production, it is my pleasure that this very special film will finally be released. With the help of our trusted North American partners at GKIDS, I sincerely hope that the film will greatly resonate with North American audiences." said the producer and CEO of STUDIO4°C, Eiko Tanaka.
On February 27th, TOHO released the Japanese teaser trailer and key visual, and announced a June 7th Japanese theatrical premiere date. A North American theatrical release will take place in 2019.
Film Summary:
When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka's dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans' fish.
