Indie Studios

INTERVIEW: Beyond The Sea With “ChaO”
A journalist in Shanghai learns more about the love story between a man and a mermaid in the new anime feature ChaO. GKIDS is releasing the comedy adventure, with some moving dramatic elements, in theaters nationwide this Friday April 10th. Director Yashuhiro Aoki and character designer and supervising animation director Hirokazu Kojima join me for this […]
“LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline” Arrives On Blu-Ray

“LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline” Arrives On Blu-Ray

Haylie Baker|
March 29th, 2026
After its theatrical run last January, LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline heads to homes as it joins several major streaming platforms and is set for a Blu-ray release on July 21st. The film is brought to audiences by GKIDS, with Shout! Studios handling distribution. In the anime and manga industry, Lupin […]
“Labyrinth” Releases In Theatres For A Limited Time

“Labyrinth” Releases In Theatres For A Limited Time

Haylie Baker|
March 26th, 2026
Set to release in theatres for a limited time only this May 10th and 11th is Labyrinth, the first original feature-length anime film from director Shoji Kawamori, best known for his work on Macross and The Vision of Escaflowne. Both Japanese with English subtitles and English dub will be available for viewing for North American […]

Latest in Category: Indie Studios

GKids Acquires “Funan” for Spring 2019 Theatrical Release

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced it has acquired the US distribution rights for the animated feature Funan, the inspiring and emotionally-searing debut from filmmaker Denis Do, based on his own family story, which won the top prizes at the Annecy Int’l Animated Film Festival and the […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|January 16, 2019
GKids Acquires “Funan” for Spring 2019 Theatrical Release

INTERVIEW: Director Mamoru Hosoda on His Latest Masterwork, “Mirai”

Four-year-old Kun has a problem—or so he thinks. Mom has brought home a baby sister, Mirai. Now his parents are giving lots of attention to her—attention he feels he deserves. Feeling rejected, Kun decides to run away. But when he goes as far as the family’s garden, he meets a visitor from the future: his […]
Avatar photoW.R. Miller|November 29, 2018
INTERVIEW:  Director Mamoru Hosoda on His Latest Masterwork, “Mirai”

Here Comes “MFKZ”

On Thursday October 11th and Tuesday October 16th, in select theaters nationwide, Fathom Events is screening the new, English-language version of the animated film “MFKZ”. GKIDS, the distribution studio behind ten Best Animated Feature Oscar nominees since 2009 (including “My Life as a Zucchini” and “The Breadwinner”), acquired “MFKZ” in July, with hopes it can […]
Avatar photoJackson Murphy|October 2, 2018
Here Comes “MFKZ”

“Animation Is Film” 2018 Announces Initial Feature Competition Line-up and Jury

Animation Is Film announced today the preliminary competition line-up and jury for its second annual edition to take place October 19-21 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The Festival will present a selection of new animated feature films from Asia, Europe, South America and North America, with both juried and audience prizes. Mamoru Hosoda’s […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|September 20, 2018
“Animation Is Film” 2018 Announces Initial Feature Competition Line-up and Jury

GKids to Release “Fireworks” in LA on July 4th

Gkids has moved up its Los Angeles release date for producer Genki Kawamura’s follow up his mega-hit anime Your Name. Directors Nobuyuki Takeuchi and Akiyuki Shinbo’s Fireworks will open on July 4th in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica and Ahrya Fine Arts, in Beverly Hills. It’s a tale of […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|June 18, 2018
GKids to Release “Fireworks” in LA on July 4th

Hosada’s “Mirai” Screening at Cannes; Picked up by Gkids for US

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced that the animated feature Mirai from Japan’s Studio Chizu will screen at the Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight section. The film is written and helmed by Mamoru Hosoda, the celebrated director behind The Boy and the Beast, Wolf Children, […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|April 17, 2018
Hosada’s “Mirai” Screening at Cannes; Picked up by Gkids for US

Gkids Acquires “Lupin the 3rd: The First”

GKIDS announced that it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the animated feature Lupin the 3rd: The First, a new animated feature from director/screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki (Stand By Me Doraemon, Dragon Quest: Your Story). The “Lupin the 3rd” franchise, from original creator Monkey Punch, began in 1967 and has spanned a variety of […]