GKIDS announced a new feature film The Deer King from Japanese animation veterans Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji.
The Deer King will play in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, 13 July (Japanese language), and Thursday, 14 July (English language dubbed). In addition to the full feature, audiences will view a special introduction from Director Masashi Ando, exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings. Fan preview events will be followed by a limited theatrical release in select markets nationwide by GKIDS starting Friday, 15 July.
Animated by the acclaimed studio Production I.G, the film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator Ando, who previously worked as a character designer, animation director, and key animator with the famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), and with directors Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Paranoia Agent) and Makoto Shinkai (your name.). Co-director Masayuki Miyaji is best known for directing the 2009 series Xam’s: Lost Memories and work on Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbors the Yamadas.
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.
The original book series, by author Nahoko Uehashi, won the Booksellers Award and the fourth Japan Medical Novel Award in 2015, and has printed 2.2 million copies in Japan to date. Known for their work in series and feature animation, notable works from animation studio Production I.G include the legendary film Ghost in the Shell, and highly influential series FLCL, Haikyu!!, and Psycho Pass. The studio’s 2011 feature A Letter to Momo and 2015 feature Miss Hokusai are also distributed by GKIDS.
Tickets will be on sale from 10 June at FathomEvents and TheDeerKing official website.