Project Itoh’s Genocidal Organ Coming to US Theaters July 12 & 13

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We’re excited to announce that Project Itoh’s Genocidal Organ is coming to select theaters across the United States,  July 12th & 13th! 

 Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more ticket and movie information coming soon!

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 Based on the captivating sci-fi novel by Project Itoh, Genocidal Organ takes an introspective look at a post-9/11 future, exploring freedom, security, and a bizarre shift in terrorism throughout the world.

 

After a homemade bomb decimates Sarajevo, developed countries rely on advanced surveillance to free them from the threat of terrorism. But while the United States enjoys heightened security, the nations it once considered threatening are mysteriously plagued by genocide within their own borders. Strangely, these massacres all link back to one American by the name of John Paul. Special agent Clavis Shepherd is sent to capture the elusive target, but even with combat meds to numb the pain and a life rooted in the bliss of ignorance, nothing can prepare this soldier—or the world—for the truth behind humanity’s darkness.

Genocidal Organ is the final film of Project Itoh’s trio of works to hit North American theaters.

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SHOUT! FACTORY FILMS AND FUNIMATION FILMS BRING HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED ANIMATED FEATURE“IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD” TO U.S. CINEMAS ON AUGUST 11, 2017

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Los Angeles, Calif. – May 18, 2017 – Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, has tapped Funimation® Films as its theatrical partner to jointly launch acclaimed animated feature IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD across U.S. cinemas on Friday, August 11, 2017. Based on the Japanese award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno, the film is written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi. Produced by GENCO and Japanese animation studio MAPPA, IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD, bolstered by emotionally resonant storytelling and exquisite hand-drawn animation, is an empowering coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of WWII and captures the resilience and triumph of the human spirit. This highly-anticipated movie recently won the coveted Animation of the Year award at this year’s 40th Japan Academy Prize and has been selected to premiere in competition at the LA Film Festival in June.  The announcement was made today by Melissa Boag, Shout’s Senior Vice President of Kids & Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory and Mike DuBoise Executive Vice President and COO of Funimation.

 

“In This Corner of the World is an incredibly exquisite, artful and socially relevant film that will impact everyone who sees it. We’re really proud in presenting this remarkable, hand-drawn animated film to North American movie audience,” said Melissa Boag, Shout’s Senior Vice President of Kids & Family Entertainment. “Funimation Films has a great track record in launching prominent international animated movies across cinemas in North America. We couldn’t find a more committed and perfect company to join us on the theatrical launch of In This Corner of the World.”

 

We’re thrilled to be joining together with Shout Factory for the North American release of the award-winning animated film In This Corner of the World,” said Mike DuBoise, Executive Vice President and COO of Funimation. “It is a stunning work of traditional (hand drawn) animation which has helped shine a bright light of Japanese animation in 2017 – transcending the genre and creating a whole new audience for anime unlike ever before. We look forward to bringing In This Corner of the World to theaters very soon.”

 

The award-winning story of IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD follows a young lady named Suzu Urano, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima to live with her husband’s family. Suzu’s life is thrown into chaos when her town is bombed during World War II. Her perseverance and courage underpin this heart-warming and inspirational tale of the everyday challenges faced by the Japanese in the midst of a violent, war-torn country. This beautiful yet poignant tale shows that even in the face of adversity and loss, people can come together and rebuild their lives.

 

Film director Sunao Katabuchi began his career working closely with Hayao Miyazaki before directing his own animated films, including Katabuchi’s acclaimed animated features Mai Mai Miracle and Princess Arete.

 

 

screen-shot-2017-05-18-at-9-55-04-amIN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD
Shout! Factory Films and Funimation Films
Movie opening date: August 11, 2017
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
Voice Cast: Non, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Natsuki Inaba, Minori Omi, Daisuke Ono

Written by:  Sunao Katabuchi
Based on the award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno
Produced by: Taro Maki and Masao Maruyama
Genre: Animated Feature
*Japanese with English subtitles
*English
MPAA Rating: PG-13

 

 

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Factory Productions, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

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Theater Listings for Your Name. Now on Sale!

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We’re excited to announce that the time has come! Tickets are now on sale for Makoto Shinkai’s latest masterpiece, Your Name., hitting select North American theaters on April 7th!

 

Your Name Theatrical Announcement

 

Updated with more theaters (5/4): See our current list of US theaters and current list of Canadian theaters; or head to FunimationFilms.com to find and purchase tickets for your nearest theater using our online theater locator! Plus, keep checking back for more theater listings and information!

 

 

 

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MAKOTO SHINKAI MASTERPIECE ‘YOUR NAME.’ TO OPEN IN NORTH AMERICAN THEATERS APRIL 7, 2017

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Funimation Films Will Debut Animated Global Pop Culture Phenomenon “Your Name.” in Both English-Language Dub and Japanese with English Subtitles

 

Coming April 7th, 2017

Funimation Films will open Makoto Shinkai’s animated blockbuster and global pop culture hit “Your Name.” in North American theaters on April 7, 2017. The film will be released in both English-language Dub as well as the original Japanese-language with English subtitles.

 

Your Name Theatrical Announcement

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“SHIN GODZILLA” ROARS INTO THEATERS TONIGHT FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT OCTOBER 11 – 18

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King of the Monsters Returns to Big Screen in 534 Theaters across U.S. and Canada

FLOWER MOUND, TX – October 11, 2016. The signature roar of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, will echo throughout North America tonight when “SHIN GODZILLA” opens in theaters. Funimation Films® will be screening the Japanese kaiju film in 534 theaters across the U.S. and Canada during its limited theatrical engagement from October 11 – 18.  “SHIN GODZILLA” is the 29th film produced by Toho Co., Ltd. in the iconic science fiction monster franchise and is co-directed by Hideaki Anno (creator of “Evangelion”) and co- directed by Shinji Higuchi (director of Toho’s 2015 “Attack on Titan” live action movies). The movie has been a huge box office hit in Japan – grossing more than $68M at the box office in the two months since it opened and making it the 4th highest grossing film for 2016. Tickets for “SHIN GODZILLA” are available via the official film website.

 

“Godzilla has been entertaining audiences worldwide for more than 62 years and we’re excited to bring this newest incarnation to the U.S. and Canada,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation. “Fan excitement for ‘SHIN GODZILLA’ has been unabated since we first announced the film back in July at San Diego Comic Con. It would not surprise me if numerous theaters sell out.”

 

In advance of tonight’s opening, Funimation hosted premieres of “SHIN GODZILLA” last week to capacity audiences in Los Angeles as well as New York City, which was planned to coincide with New York Comic Con 2016.

 

“If audience reaction at our two premieres is any indication then ‘SHIN GODZILLA’ will be another box office success for Funimation Films,” said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. “The fan base for Godzilla is as wide as the monster is tall. The enthusiasm and anticipation from fans – both young and old – as shared on social media is truly palpable. We encourage fans to pre-purchase tickets to guarantee a seat to this limited theatrical event.”

 

To purchase tickets to or find more information on “SHIN GODZILLA,” visit   funimationfilms.com/shingodzilla.

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Project Itoh: Explaining 'The Empire of Corpses', 'Harmony', and 'Genocidal Organ'

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‘The Empire of Corpses‘, ‘Harmony‘, and ‘Genocidal Organ’ are a trio of works by the late Japanese science fiction writer Satoshi Itō, under the pseudonym ‘Project Itoh’.   The novels have been (or are in the process of being) adapted into films. While Funimation announced the licenses to all three films and we often refer to them together, they are stand-alone works rather than a true trilogy! It can get a bit complicated, so we wanted to provide a little background for anyone new to world of Project Itoh!

 

  • Satoshi Itō (Project Itoh) (Oct. 14, 1974 – March 20, 2009)

During his career as a web designer, he wrote a novel called Genocidal Organ and was nominated to Nihon SF Taisho Award in 2007.   However, Itoh had been diagnosed, and dealing, with recurrent cancer since 2001 and hospitalized frequently for treatment. Itoh continued to write novels during his last several years, including Harmony and The Empire of Corpses, and passed away on March 20, 2009. Later on in 2012, Toh Enjoe, a fellow award-winning science fiction writer who had often appeared with Itoh at conventions and in interviews, announced at a press conference that he would complete Itoh’s unfinished novel The Empire of Corpses.  Later, Noitamina adapted Project Itoh’s three novels into animated feature films. All three films were directed and produced by different directors and studios.

 

This film was released in Japan back in October 2015 and was the first film adaptation of Project Itoh’s works, animated and produced by WIT Studio (Attack on Titan and Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign).  It is based on the award-winning novel by Project Itoh and completed by Toh Enjoe. The novel also won the Best Japanese Long Story category at 44th Seiun (Nebula) Awards in 2013 and the Special Award at Nihon SF Taisho Awards in 2012.

 

 

This film was released in Japan in November 2015 and was the second film adaptation of Project Itoh’s novels, animated and produced by Studio 4°C (Berserk: The Golden Arc series and Thundercats [TV 2011]). The film is based on by Project Itoh’s Philip K. Dick award-winning novel. The novel also won the Best Japanese Long Story category at 40th Seiun (Nebula) Awards in 2009 and the Nihon SF Taisho Award  in 2009.

 

 

  • Genocidal Organ

The film has yet to release in Japan. The studio originally slated to produce it, Manglobe (Gangsta), filed for bankruptcy in September 2015. Genocidal Organ has been delayed to release in 2017 under a new studio called Geno Studio, with many key former staffers from Manglobe still involved.

 

 

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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR PROJECT ITOH’S “THE EMPIRE OF CORPSES”

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Film Based on Award-Winning Novel to Screen in U.S. on April 19 & 20

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FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS – March 29, 2016. Funimation® Films announced today that advanced tickets for the English dub release of Project Itoh’s “The Empire of Corpses” are now available for purchase at funimationfilms.com/theempireofcorpses.  The film is the first in a series of three movies based on novels by award-winning writer Project Itoh and is directed by Ryotaro Makihara.  “The Empire of Corpses” will screen in more than 50 theaters across the United States on April 19 and 20, 2016.

 

“We’re pleased to bring this first in the series of films based on Project Itoh’s novels,” said Gen Fukunaga, founder and CEO of Funimation. “‘The Empire of Corpses’ is a truly captivating sci-fi action thriller – perfect for the big screen – and one that fans will certainly enjoy.”

 

“Moviegoers will be transported to Itoh’s steampunk vision of an alternate 19th century world occupied by Frankenstein-like laborers,” said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. “Anime and sci-fi fans alike won’t want to miss this limited, two-day theatrical release and we encourage them to purchase tickets in advance.”

 

Project Itoh was the pseudonym of popular, Japanese science fiction writer Satoshi Ito.  His first novel “Genocidal Organ” was published in 2007 and was followed by “Harmony” in 2009. Both were well received by fans; with the latter winning the 2009 Japanese Science Fiction Grand Prize. Itoh’s brief writing career of 3-years was cut short when he died of cancer at the age of 34. Two of his works were later published posthumously – a novel adaptation of “Metal Gear Solid 4” and “The Empire of Corpses.”

 

“The Empire of Corpses” was produced by the wildly successful, independent animation house WIT STUDIO. Founded by former Production I.G producer George Wada in 2012, WIT STUDIO has already gained fame, in just three short years, for producing two hit anime series – “Attack on Titan” and “Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign.”

 

Film Trailer & Synopsis

 

In an alternate version of 19th century London, the world has been revolutionized by “corpse reanimation technology” creating armies of undead who serve the living as laborers across the globe.

 

In an attempt to revive his dearly departed friend, young medical student John Watson becomes obsessed with replicating the work of Dr. Victor Frankenstein—the legendary corpse engineer whose research produced the only re-animated corpse to possess a soul. But when his illegal experiments put him at odds with the British government, Watson is drafted into a worldwide race to find the lost research notes of Victor Frankenstein before the secrets of the human soul fall into the wrong hands.

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MAMORU HOSODA’S “THE BOY AND THE BEAST” OPENS IN U.S. THEATERS NATIONWIDE MARCH 4

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We’ve got two big announcements today, so let’s get started!

 

If you’ve ever been curious about the ins-and-outs of our theatrical releases, we’ve made it easy to stay on top of any and all developments! As of today, FunimationFilms.com is up and running—bringing you the latest news surrounding our upcoming theatrical releases. Check back often to watch new trailers, purchase advance movie tickets, get theater information, and more.

 

Next up, we’re excited to announce the official release date of latest film from internationally acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda, The Boy and the Beast. This film will hit select theaters nationwide starting Friday, March 4, 2016.  Tickets go on sale on February 5th, so be sure to stay tuned to FunimationFilms.com/theboyandthebeast, to secure your tickets early—not only does this ensure you’ve saved yourself a seat during this limited run, it also tells the theaters that there’s a demand for critically acclaimed, high-profile anime movies!

 

To make sure you can watch the movie the way you want, you’ll have the option to purchase tickets to see the movie in the original Japanese version (with English subtitles), the new English dub version produced by Funimation, or both. For those who might be curious, the English dub was developed closely with Hosoda himself to ensure the voice cast matched both his vision and direction for the film. Here’s a quick rundown of the film’s plot:

 

The Boy and the Beast (“Bakemono no Ko” in Japanese) tells the story of Kyuta, a young orphan living on the streets of Shibuya, who stumbles into a fantastic world of beasts. He’s taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff, rough-around-the-edges warrior beast who’s been searching for the perfect apprentice. Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and slowly form a bond as surrogate father and son. But when a deep darkness threatens to throw the human and beast worlds into chaos, the strong bond between this unlikely family will be put to the ultimate test—a final showdown that will only be won if the two can finally work together using all of their combined strength and courage.

 

To find out more, visit FunimationFilms.com/boyandthebeast and let us know on social media if you plan to attend!

Official press release after the jump:

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