Toho, a powerhouse in Japanese cinema, has thrown its considerable weight behind the upcoming film “Ghost Cat Anzu,” helmed by directors Yoko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita. The studio will oversee the film’s release in Japan and has marked the occasion with an exclusive teaser.
In a collaborative effort, specialty distributor Gkids has already acquired the rights to distribute the film in North America, while Charades continues to handle international sales.
“Ghost Cat Anzu” brings together two esteemed production houses, Japan’s Shin-Ei Animation and France’s Miyu Productions. The film explores the spirited friendship between 11-year-old Karin, a determined girl sent to live with her monk grandfather in the Japanese countryside, and Anzu, an unpredictable phantom feline who serves as her guardian.
Based on Takashi Imashiro’s manga, the animated feature boasts voice performances by Mirai Moriyama as the phantom feline and Noa Goto as his young companion. The film is set to debut in Japanese theaters in July, with a North American release to follow.
Director Nobuhiro Yamashita, renowned for his critically acclaimed work and contributions to “Midnight Diner,” employs a unique approach by filming live actors and subsequently incorporating them into an animated environment overseen by rising talent Yoko Kuno. This method preserves the original charm of the characters.
Toho, a leading figure in production and distribution, comes off a stellar year with the success of “Godzilla Minus One,” which raked in over $55 million at the North American box office, establishing itself as one of the highest-grossing foreign films in recent memory. Additionally, Toho’s distribution arm handled the North American release of Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and The Heron,” which earned over $45 million, further solidifying the company’s position in the international market.
