Anime Limited acquires THE DEER KING

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, 20th May 2021

Anime Limited, the leading independent distributor of Japanese animation in France and the United Kingdom, is proud to announce the acquisition for the United Kingdom, Ireland and France of the first film by Masashi Ando (Your Name., Spirited Away) and Masayuki Miyaji (Fusé: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl): THE DEER KING, which has been selected in the animated feature film category of the Annecy International Animation Festival 2021.

SYNOPSIS

The tribal homelands of the “Lost Antlers” are under siege — they’ve become the latest target of the Empire, an oppressive and unsurmountable enemy. Van leads his warriors into a losing battle all the same, quickly finding himself enslaved, toiling away at a salt mine. A chance for freedom comes one night when a mysterious pack of wild dogs attacks, and Van escapes the mine with a young girl, whom he takes under his protection. However, the wild dogs brought more than Van’s freedom: they carried a devastating plague with them, which begins to spread throughout the land. With an even greater enemy in sight, Van unites with the genius doctor Hohsalle and others to unravel the secrets of the plague and find a cure.

ABOUT THE DEER KING

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Nahoko Uehashi (Japan Booksellers Prize), THE DEER KING will be released in Japan on September 10th 2021 via distributor Toho. The screening of the film as part of Annecy’s feature film category selection will be the European premiere of Production I.G’s (Miss Hokusai) latest world-class production. The film marks Masashi Ando’s (Your Name., Spirited Away) directorial debut, working with Masayuki Miyaji, director of the critically acclaimed Fusé: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl.

ABOUT MASASHI ANDO

Considered by many to be the best animator in Japan, this renowned artist has proven himself as an animation director on numerous Studio Ghibli productions including Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away before working on two key works by Satoshi Kon: Paprika and Paranoia Agent. He then joined the CoMix Wave Films studio to work alongside Makoto Shinkai for his movie phenomenon Your Name.

ABOUT PRODUCTION I.G

In 1987, Tatsunoko Production studio (Speed ​​Racer, Gatchaman) gave an annex to producer Mitsuhisa Ishikawa to develop the Akai Kodan Zillion series. Ishikawa offered to splinter into a new studio, and in 1993 Production I.G is created. He quickly took to the international stage thanks to the success of the feature film Ghost in the Shell. One of the most prolific and qualitative studios in Japan, it continues to establish itself in the field of science fiction with 009 Re: Cyborg, Guilty Crown, Psycho Pass and Ghost in the Shell: Arise, while also standing out in the fields of sports anime series (Haikyuu!!, Kuroko’s Basketball) and even period films (Giovanni’s Island, Miss Hokusai).

ABOUT ANIME LIMITED

Based out of Glasgow, Anime Limited is Europe’s premiere distributor for Japanese animation, renowned for bespoke collector’s editions of fan-favourite anime and soundtracks, connecting Western audiences with creators across languages and oceans, and helping to bring anime front and centre in cinemas. Anime Limited proudly produces releases from the biggest franchises in anime including Cowboy Bebop, Attack on Titan, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, Mobile Suit Gundam, Tokyo Ghoul, Your Name, Weathering With You, Mirai and JUJUTSU KAISEN.

CREDITS
Original author: Nahoko Uehashi
Director: Masashi Ando, Masayuki Miyaji
Producers: Keiko Matsushita, Jun Fukuda, Naoto Fujimura
Animation Director: Masashi Ando
Character Design: Masashi Ando
Head of animation: Toshiyuki Inoue
Artistic Director: Hiroshi Ohno
Screenplay: Taku Kishimoto
Music: Harumi Fuuki
Production: Production I.G