A quirky and enchanting new Japanese animated film, Ghost Cat Anzu, is set to hit U.S. theaters this November, courtesy of GKids. The film, co-directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, recently premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and has already charmed audiences in Japan with its unique animation style and whimsical storytelling.
The film, a 2D rotoscoped anime, follows the story of Karin, an 11-year-old girl who is left in the care of her grandfather in rural Japan after being abandoned by her father. There, she encounters Anzu, a giant ghost cat with a notorious reputation as a “layabout” but tasked with taking care of her. Initially skeptical of her new guardian, Karin soon finds herself befriending the local forest spirits, adding an extra layer of eccentricity to her new life.
Voice talents Mirai Moriyama and Noa Gotō bring the characters of Anzu and Karin to life, both having acted out their roles in live-action for the animators to use as reference. This blend of live-action performance with 2D animation gives the film a unique visual style and character dynamic.
The film, originally titled 化け猫あんずちゃん (Ghost Cat Anzu), is co-directed by Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita. Kuno is known for her work on Land of the Lustrous, while Yamashita is a veteran director with a long list of films including Linda Linda Linda and My Back Pages. The screenplay was written by Shinji Imaoka, based on a manga by Takashi Imashiro. The film is a joint production between Japan’s Shin-ei Animation and France’s Miyu Productions.
Having already garnered attention at Cannes, Ghost Cat Anzu is expected to captivate U.S. audiences with its offbeat humor, touching story, and creative animation. The film will be released in select U.S. theaters on November 15, 2024.
Keep an eye out for the official U.S. trailer released by GKids to catch a glimpse of this charming and unconventional animated adventure.