The Future of Anime on the Big Screen Looks Bright

Key Takeaways

• Anime films like My Hero Academia & LOTR: War of the Rohirrim are seeing bigger international theatrical releases.
• Toho International & Warner Bros. are leading the distribution, signaling a shift in how anime is being brought to the U.S.
• Success of recent films like Godzilla Minus One and demand for Japanese cinema in the West are driving bigger opportunities for anime in theaters.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of both anime and The Lord of the Rings, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement and anticipation at the prospect of these two universes intertwining. Having grown up with the enchantment of hand-drawn animation and the epic storytelling of Middle Earth, this collaboration feels like a dream come true.

It’s always been believed that movies, including anime, are best enjoyed on a large screen, and it’s reassuring to see that international showings of anime have expanded significantly over the past ten years. This upcoming autumn, the films “My Hero Academia: You’re Next” and “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” mark a subtle but meaningful change in how anime is being introduced to the U.S.

Fans of anime typically rely on companies like Crunchyroll or GKIDS for updates about movies heading to theaters because they’re usually responsible for distributing them. However, in an unexpected turn, these two films have been distributed by Toho International and Warner Bros., indicating a broader release than typical.

My Hero Academia Comes To Theaters Thanks To… Godzilla?

Given that Funimation had released the first three movies from the My Hero Academia series, it’s understandable to think Crunchyroll would pick up the fourth for a U.S. release. This assumption seems reasonable considering Crunchyroll merged with Funimation in 2022 and had already started experimenting with theater releases prior to that. In fact, we ourselves made this presumption in our recent article on autumn anime premieres, which is amusingly ironic now, as the information was actually public knowledge at the time.

At Anime Expo 2024, during a “My Hero Academia” panel, it was revealed that Toho International would be introducing the fourth movie to U.S. cinemas from October 11. The film will debut in both its original Japanese version with subtitles and an English version. The shift might be attributed to the franchise’s lasting popularity, but an interview with Toho International’s president, Koji Ueda, hints at a more contemporary motivation.

Godzilla Minus One Was Very Successful in the West

Mark Hughes from Forbes interviewed him regarding the choice to release it in the U.S., and Ueda pointed out the success of “Godzilla Minus One” from 2023 as a significant factor. This film, part of the iconic monster movie series, was initially planned for a limited release but ended up having a lengthy run of several months that generated over $56 million in North America, surpassing records for foreign films. Ueda saw this as evidence of high interest in Japanese cinema in the Western world.

What Does This Mean Beyond My Hero Academia?

As a longtime anime enthusiast who has been following “My Hero Academia” since its debut, I must admit that I was thrilled to hear about Toho’s decision to venture into American markets with their upcoming fourth movie. Given my own experiences as an anime fan in the US, I can attest to the fact that there is a significant and growing demand for quality anime content here.

If the movie “My Hero Academia: You’re Next” manages to run for even half as long as “Minus One” and proves successful, it could pave the way for significant opportunities. As Japan’s leading film production and distribution company, Toho is associated with a variety of anime projects, including the My Hero Academia series and recent films by Makoto Shinkai such as 2022’s “Suzume”. Notably, Toho Animation has also been responsible for producing recent hits like “Spy x Family Code: White”, “Jujutsu Kaisen 0”, and “Promare”.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel excited about Toho International’s focus on expanding its reach in the Western market. This could potentially lead to wider distribution, extended movie screenings, and perhaps even more generous promotional budgets. The increased marketing efforts will be particularly significant, as while “Godzilla Minus One” thrived on word-of-mouth, other releases might not fare as well if the marketing falls short.

Lord of the Rings Is Back And Prettier Than Ever

It’s surprising that Toho investing in Western anime distribution is one thing, but Warner Bros contributing to creating anime for the Western market from the get-go could have been downright bewildering. To be fair, before the trailer was unveiled, it was hard to accept that The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim was a genuine project. This disbelief was particularly intense when considering Peter Jackson as producer and Kenji Kamiyama, director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, were involved.

During the heart of the festive season, this hand-drawn animated movie is set to debut from a prominent film studio. Just like any other film, it’s being promoted in the same manner. In an environment where animation aficionados frequently strive to validate the medium as cinema, The Lord of the Rings‘ latest venture seems like a boon. Beyond that, it carries a significant weight of expectation – not to disappoint.

Why This Film Needs to Be Good

In recent times, adult-oriented animation has grown increasingly daring, with productions such as Castlevania from Powerhouse Animation and Scavenger’s Reign by Titmouse Inc., standing out prominently. Artists of great renown, like Guillermo Del Toro, have recently championed this medium, which is currently facing a critical juncture in its preservation. To understate the gravity of the situation, series like The War of the Rohirrim, and other projects similar to it, hold greater significance now more than ever before.

The fact that it exists alone is awesome, but if The War of the Rohirrim is a success, it could open a door similar to what Godzilla Minus One might do for My Hero Academia: You’re Next. It would send a loud message that hand-drawn animation still has a place in American cinema and that adult animation need not be relegated to crass comedies or the otherwise niche. Despite recent hardships, the animated medium is in a strong place, and stands to get even stronger, should we show it the support it needs.

Sources: Anime News Network, Forbes​​​​​

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2024-08-28 18:04