Summary
Ghost Cat Anzuis a 2024 animated film made by Japan and France. It is based on the manga of the same name, created by Takashi Imashiro. The movie was released in Japan in July of this yearafter its first screening in Cannes, France, and is set to release in theaters in North America in November. A new trailer was just added with English subtitles ahead of this upcoming theatrical release.
Ghost Cat Anzumade waves with its unique creation, and has been nominated for several awards. While critics had some problemswith the pacing of the story, it won over the hearts of viewers in other ways. The movie performed well enough to be slated for an official English theatrical release, which is what this trailer is hoping to build interest in. The trailer was posted on GKIDS Films' official YouTube on Wednesday.
What is Ghost Cat Anzu?
A French-Japanese Anime
Ghost Cat Anzuis based on a manga by Takashi Imashiro. The manga was originally published from 2006 to 2007, and consisted of one volume. Now, almost a decade later, the story has been rediscovered and is being co-produced into an anime film by studios Shin-Ei Animatoin and Miyu Productions. GKIDS Films describesGhost Cat Anzuon theirofficial websiteas
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.
Ghost Cat Anzu is co-directed by renowned artist Yoko Kuno, who makes her feature directorial debut, and Nobuhiro Yamashita, the acclaimed director of Linda Linda Linda. Co-produced by Shin-Ei Animation and Miyu Productions with music by legendary musician Keiichi Suzuki (EarthBound), Ghost Cat Anzu is a wildly funny ride in the countryside.
What really got people talking aboutGhost Cat Anzuwas the way in which the movie was animated. It was actually shot entirely in live-action first, and then was rotoscoped into an anime. This means that the animators traced over the live footage, frame by frame, to create a realistic kind of animation style. This rotoscoping technique paid off, andmany critics praised how the animationofGhost Cat Anzulooked, even while they noted the movie had some problems with pacing.
Ghost Cat Anzu’s North American Release
Coming to Theaters This November
Ghost Cat Anzuhas been licensed for release in North America by the company GKID Films. It will be released on November 15th, 2024. The movie was screened originally at the Cannes’ 2024 Director’s Fortnight lineup on May 21st, and later was released in theaters in Japan on July 19th, 2024. Tickets are already available on the GKIDS official website. The English subtitled trailer gained over 3000 views in less than 24 hours.
Ghost Cat Anzuwas nominated for both Best Feature Film and Best Animated Feature Film at the Sitges Film Festival just this month, and the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival back in June. While it did not win,Ghost Cat Anzuclearlydid something well enough to earn the nomination. Creator Takashi Imashiro also began to publish a sequel almost a decade after finishing the first series the same week the movie released in Japan, so this marks a new beginning forGhost Cat Anzu.
Ghost Cat Anzucomes to theaters in North America on November 15th, 2024.
