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

ANIME REVIEW: “Lonely Castle in the Mirror”

Some stories must be told, especially to those caring enough to understand them, lest they eventually destroy the teller. Such is the theme of Keichi Hara’s 2022 anime, Lonely Castle in the Mirror. (Henceforth “Castle” for the purpose of this review). Adapted from a novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, The story concerns seven middle-school students who […]
Avatar photoMartin Goodman|September 24, 2023
ANIME REVIEW: “Lonely Castle in the Mirror”

“Animation IS Film” Festival returns To The Chinese Theatre October 18th with Ghibli and Aardman

ANIMATION IS FILM (AIF) announces the 6th edition of its highly anticipated 2023 slate of theatrical presentations, special events, and shorts showcases taking place over five days, October 18-22, in Hollywood. AIF’s Opening Night on Wednesday, October 18 launches with a GKIDS presentation of Studio Ghibli’s THE BOY AND THE HERON, the latest film from […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|September 22, 2023
“Animation IS Film” Festival returns To The Chinese Theatre October 18th with Ghibli and Aardman

FIRST LOOK: Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron”

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of award-winning animation from around the globe, announced today it will bring The Boy and the Heron, the highly anticipated new film from legendary, Academy Award-winning Hayao Miyazaki, to cinemas nationwide on December 8, 2023. The latest feature from Japan’s celebrated animation house, Studio Ghibli, begins special preview engagements […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|September 7, 2023
FIRST LOOK: Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron”

INTERVIEW: The Wait Is Over For “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia”

10 years ago, hand-drawn film Ernest & Celestine, about the unlikely pairing of a bear and a mouse, charmed moviegoers and Academy members. It earned a Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination alongside Hayao Miyazaki’s final film at the time, The Wind Rises, and CG blockbusters Frozen, The Croods and Despicable Me 2. This Friday September […]
Avatar photoJackson Murphy|August 28, 2023
INTERVIEW: The Wait Is Over For “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia”

GKids Acquires Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and The Heron”

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of award-winning animation, announced its acquisition of North American distribution rights to The Boy And The Heron, the highly anticipated new film from the legendary Academy Award-winning Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Japan’s celebrated animation house, Studio Ghibli. Released in Japan as Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka (translated as How Do […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|July 14, 2023
GKids Acquires Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and The Heron”

GKIDS Has Acquired The North American Audiovisual Distribution Rights For “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”

NEW YORK CITY- the celebrated producer and distributor of family-friendly animation, GKIDS, has announced its acquisition of the North American audiovisual distribution rights for “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”.The production was recorded during its 2022 run in the famed Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature, the show was […]
Avatar photoLauren Ashton|February 9, 2023
GKIDS Has Acquired The North American Audiovisual Distribution Rights For “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”

INTERVIEW: Make Way For “Sirocco And The Kingdom Of Winds”

Sisters Carmen and Juliette venture into a world created by someone they love that’s filled with intense weather and strong emotions. What will they discover, and will they make it back home? Find out as GKIDS screens festival award-winning feature Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds in theaters nationwide on Sunday August 11th and Monday […]