This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films

This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films

Highlights

  • Theatrical anime releases are on the rise, with both new projects and classic films making their way to North America this Autumn.
  • Crunchyroll is bringing exciting films like “The Concierge” and “Trapezium” to theaters, offering diverse and visually captivating experiences.
  • Cult classics like “Ninja Scroll” and overlooked gems like “Metropolis” are getting re-released, promising unforgettable adventures for anime fans.

As an avid anime enthusiast with over two decades of dedication to this captivating art form under my belt, I am thrilled about the upcoming releases that are slated for the latter half of 2024. My Hero Academia The Movie: You’re Next is a must-watch for any fan, and I can’t wait to see how Izuku Midoriya and his comrades take on this new challenge.


Over the past ten years, it’s become quite normal to see theatrical anime releases. Add to that the ongoing trend of classic movies getting a second chance, and you have an overflow of content! This Autumn, expect a wave of new anime films arriving in North America, as well as revisits to some timeless classics that are ripe for reevaluation. Enjoy the upcoming season of anime films, fellow fans!

As a gaming enthusiast and anime fanatic, I’m super excited to share that Crunchyroll is bringing two fresh productions to the global silver screen for one-day showcases! Plus, Anime Expo’s “AX Cinema Nights” are back for another thrilling season, stretching from September to February. But here’s the kicker – we’ve got some top-tier films in our radar that haven’t announced their screening dates just yet, but trust me, they’re bound to grace the big screens this year!

Crunchyroll’s One-Night-Only Screenings

The Concierge

This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films
Director Yoshimi Itazu
Studio Production I.G
Original Release 10/20/2023
North American Release 9/11/2024

Working in retail can already be challenging, but as Akino discovers, being a concierge at a high-end department store where all the customers are talking animals presents an entirely different set of difficulties. Since she’s been told that “no” is not part of a concierge’s vocabulary, Akino must accommodate the special demands of her wealthy clientele, but doing so involves more than just guiding them to items on display.

Yoshimi Itazu’s first directorial effort, titled “The Concierge“, offers a visually stunning experience filled with character and animated chaos. The narrative, penned by screenwriter Satomi Oshima, who wrote the critically acclaimed “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko” in 2021, promises to echo this energy with a warm, heartfelt tone. Starting September 11, Crunchyroll will be screening “The Concierge” in theaters.

Trapezium

Director Masahiro Shinohara
Studio CloverWorks
Original Release 5/10/2024
North American Release 9/18/2024

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between my gaming life and the captivating narrative of ‘Trapezium’, a story penned by ex-Nogizaka46 idol group member Kazumi Takayama. In this game of life, I am Yuu Azuma, a girl with an unyielding dream to become an idol. To make my dream a reality, I’ve crafted four golden rules:

Masahiro Shinohara, responsible for the forthcoming third season of “Re:Zero”, is also the director at CloverWorks, where he has previously directed films such as “Spy x Family” and “The Elusive Samurai”. The screenplay was written by Yuko Kakihara, a prolific screenwriter known for works like “Time Patrol Bon”, “Urusei Yatsura”, “Buddy Daddies”, and the upcoming “Dragon Ball Daima”. The movie “Trapezium” will be premiering in cinemas on September 18.

AX Cinema Nights Bring the Cult Classics

Hey there, fellow anime enthusiasts! I’ve been following the anime scene for quite some time now and I must say, I’m super excited about the upcoming anime films that are scheduled to hit theaters before the end of 2024 at AX Cinema Nights. If you’re like me and can’t wait to catch the latest releases, make sure to check out the full schedule here. Trust me, it’s gonna be a wild ride!

Ninja ScrollThis Fall Is Huge for Anime Films

Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Studio Madhouse
Original Release 6/5/1993
North American Re-release 9/11/2024 (Subbed) 9/12/2024 (Dubbed) 9/15/2024 (Subbed)

30 summers ago, the masterful creation of Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Ninja Scroll, graced our screens, and it’s high time we honored its anniversary! As a fan, I found myself on an exhilarating ride through this blood-pumping action flick. My character, Jubei (voiced by Koichi Yamadera), is a wandering swordsman with no taste for politics but who unwillingly becomes entangled in a fierce conflict with formidable ninjas endowed with supernatural powers.

Overpowered by a deadly toxin, he’s compelled to explore a baffling epidemic, accompanied by Kagero – a determined ninja and the sole survivor of her clan. The animated film, Ninja Scroll, is an extravagant and imaginative display, though not all parts have held up over time, it still stands as an extraordinary journey. Those sensitive to light should exercise caution, for this movie hails from a period when blinding flashes were common in anime.

MetropolisThis Fall Is Huge for Anime Films

Director Rintarou
Studio Madhouse
Original Release 5/26/2001
North American Re-release 11/4/2024 11/7/2024 11/10/2024

… One of the best animated films I have ever seen…

-Roger Ebert, January 25, 2002

Drawing inspiration from Osamu Tezuka’s 1949 manga, the 2001 animated film Metropolis blends aspects of Fritz Lang’s 1927 movie with the same title. Despite its stunning visuals, it’s surprising that this film doesn’t receive as much recognition as other cyberpunk classics like “Ghost in the Shell” (1995) or “Akira” (1988). If you haven’t yet experienced Roger Ebert’s description of “one of the best animated films I have ever seen,” this is an ideal chance to do so.

Movies Yet To Announce Screenings

My Hero Academia The Movie: You’re Next

This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films
Director Tensai Okamura
Studio Bones
Release Date 8/2/2024 (JP)

It appears highly likely that Crunchyroll will release “My Hero Academia The Movie: You’re Next” in cinemas before the end of the year. This marks the fourth time the trainees from Class 1-A take to the big screen, with the story unfolding around the beginning of Season 7 as it airs now. When a fraud claiming to be the top hero, All Might, causes chaos, Izuku Midoriya and his comrades confront a villain who has misjudged the hero he seeks to emulate.

Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain (Mononoke: Karakasa)

This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films
Director Kenji Nakamura
Studio EOTA
Release Date 7/26/2024 (JP)

As a long-time fan of the original 2007 anime series, I eagerly awaited the release of Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain this year. Having grown up watching anime from Japan and having a deep appreciation for its rich history and intricate storytelling, I found myself drawn to the enigmatic world of the Medicine Seller, a ghost hunter navigating ancient Japan.

Simultaneously, two newcomers, young women, start working within the Ōoku and soon discover the deep-seated animosities and grudges that permeate this place. They grapple with potential sacrifices necessary for their roles, all while navigating through a vivid, historical tale with a supernatural edge, featuring astute social commentary and explorations of individuality.

Look Back

This Fall Is Huge for Anime Films
Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Studio Durian
Release Date 6/28/2024 (JP)

The animated version of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s “Look Back” has been highly acclaimed since its Japanese release, garnering positive feedback from festivals, Anime Expo, and critics alike. Director Oshiyama and Studio Durian, a young studio, have been lauded for the film’s distinctive raw art style, reminiscent of the original manga. Despite being brief, with a runtime of around an hour, it would be delightful to watch in cinemas, following the success of Fujimoto’s other notable work, “Chainsaw Man”.

Sources: Anime News Network, Iconic Events,

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2024-08-06 20:04