GKIDS has introduced the acquisition all North American distribution rights for the music drama anime Blue Big, with an anticipated theatrical launch later this yr. Tailored from Shinichi Ishizuka’s award-winning manga of the identical title, the movie follows the story of Dai Miyamoto, a former highschool basketball participant who discovers a love of jazz and dedicates himself to studying the saxophone. Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100, Demise Parade, Detective Conan franchise) directs.
Within the movie, Dai Miyamoto’s life turns the wrong way up the day he discovers jazz. A former highschool basketball participant, Dai picks up a saxophone and begins training day and evening, decided to change into one of many best of all time. He leaves his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, however quickly finds the lifetime of knowledgeable musician just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. His ardour ultimately wins over the cocky however proficient pianist Yukinori, and after Dai convinces his buddy Shunji to be taught the drums, they launch a brand new jazz trio whose tough sound accommodates a uncooked vitality that rapidly wins consideration from native audiences.
Blue Big opened domestically in Japan and earned over 1 billion yen (approx. $7.5 million) on the Japanese field workplace all through its run in Japanese theaters. The movie performed a sneak preview screening on the 2023 Annecy Worldwide Animation Movie Competition earlier this month.
World-renowned virtuoso pianist Hiromi Uehara composed the in-story authentic music performed by Miyamoto and his jazz trio JASS, and moreover performs for the character Yukinori Sawabe. Drummer Shun Ishikawa, of the worldwide hit band Millennium Parade, and saxophonist Tomoaki Baba play for the characters Shunji Tamada and Dai Miyamoto respectively.
The Japanese voice solid contains Amane Okayama; Yuki Yamada; and Shotaro Mamiya. The all-rights North American distribution deal was negotiated between GKIDS and TOHO CO., LTD.
“Blue Big is an exhilarating and shifting exploration of what it takes to pursue true inventive and inventive excellence,” mentioned GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “We’re proud to share this particular movie that captures the spirit of the beloved manga for a brand new viewers, with probably the greatest soundtracks I’ve heard in years.”
Supply: GKIDS
Whitney is a contract author specializing in VFX-driven fantasy movie & TV in addition to preschool animation.
