GKIDS Screen Production IG Anime Fantasy 'The Deer King' This Summer

After a couple of fallow years- due to circumstances beyond their control- GKIDS Films are really back in 2022 in a big way.  Starting off with Belle they have been bringing great animation back to the big screen. Their latest announcement is The Deer King, a keenly anticipated fantasy anime feature.

The film comes from the renowned studio Production IG (Ghost In The Shell) and is directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji both of whom are industry veterans who previously worked on films from Studio Ghibli. It is an adaptation of an award-winning book series from author Nahoko Uehashi that has more than 2.2 million copies in print in Japan to date.

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.

Continuing their relationship with Fathom Events, The Deer King will have special fan preview screenings on Wednesday, July 13 (Subtitled) and Thursday, July 14 (with English dub). The previews will be accompanied by a specially recorded introduction by director Ando, exclusive to the event screenings.  The film will open in select markets nationwide from Friday, July 15. Tickets will be on sale from June 10 via FathomEvents.com and TheDeerKing.com.

Next up from GKIDS is The Ghibli Fest 2022 screenings of Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo, which will take place on May 15, 16 and 18.