Tickets on Sale Now for the Latest Feature From Acclaimed Director Keiichi Hara – June 21 & June 22 Only
GKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary as a producer and distributor of award-winning and artist-driven animation from around the world, announced today it will bring LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR, to select theaters nationwide for event showings on June 21 and 22nd only. From critically acclaimed Director Keiichi Hara (Miss Hokusai, Colorful, The Wonderland), the film features animation from the lauded A-1 Pictures, and is adapted from the beloved novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura.
LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR held its International Premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival – marking the first time a Japanese animated feature was selected for the festival – and additionally had its US premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. It was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and was a box office hit during its domestic release in Japan in December 2022, grossing over one billion yen (approx. 7.3 million USD).
Hara worked with various past collaborators on the project, including screenwriter Miho Maruo (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland), composer Harumi Fuuki (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland), as well as acclaimed artist Ilya Kuvshinov (The Wonderland) for visual concept and castle designs.
GKIDS handles North American distribution for Keiichi Hara’s films, including his previous features Summer Days with Coo (2007) and Miss Hokusai (2015). GKIDS will release LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR theatrically in both its original Japanese language and an all-new English dubbed version. Tickets are on sale now at LonelyCastleMovie.com
Country: Japan
Original Language: Japanese
Runtime: 116 minutes
Director: Keiichi Hara
Producer: Hirotaka Aragaki, Kei Kushiyama
Script: Miho Maruo
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Music: Harumi Fuuki
Japanese Voice Cast: Ami Touma, Takumi Kitamura, Sakura Kiryu, Rihito Itagaki, Naho Yokomizo, Minami Takayama, Yuki Kaji, Mana Ashida
Synopsis
Shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf.
From acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (Colorful, Miss Hokusai) and based on the bestselling novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together.