GKIDShas announced the acquisition of North American rights to Mamoru Hosoda’s entire film catalog.
Hosoda’s films include “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Wolf Children,” “Mirai” and “Belle.”
GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt said, “One of GKIDS’ earliest distribution projects was the theatrical release of ‘Summer Wars,’ when Mamoru Hosoda had already cemented his position as one of the most exciting animation directors. We were honored to deepen our relationship with the release of his two latest films, ‘Mirai’ and ‘Belle,’ and are excited to now be able to showcase the full breadth of Hosoda’s ambitious storytelling across his film catalog, featuring some of the most acclaimed and successful Japanese animated films of all time.”
Hosoda’s six features have all been nominated for, and five have been awarded, the Japan Academy Prize for “Animation of the Year.” He also landed an Oscar nomination for 2018’s “Mirai” and remains the only Japanese animation director outside of Studio Ghibli to receive an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature. 2021’s “Belle” became Hosoda’s highest-grossing film to date in North America. Both films made their respective world premieres at the Cannes Film Festival.
“Summer Wars” and “Wolf Children” are set to enter the GKIDS’ catalog immediately. “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” and “The Boy and the Beast” are expected to enter the catalog next year.
The films will receive new theatrical and home entertainment releases highlighting Hosoda’s unique artistry, with further details forthcoming.
Studio Chizu’s catalog is represented internationally by Charades, and the deal was negotiated between Eric Beckman at GKIDS and Yohann Comte and Carole Baraton at Charades on behalf of Studio Chizu.
