Gkids To Release “The Deer King” in Theaters during July

Gkids To Release “The Deer King” in Theaters during July

May 11th, 2022

Jerry Beck

GKIDS announced today it will bring The Deer King, the new feature from Japanese animation veterans Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, to cinemas nationwide this July. Continuing their partnership with Fathom Events, fan preview events for The Deer King will play in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, July 13th (Japanese language), and Thursday, July 14th (English language dubbed). In addition to the full feature, audiences will view a special introduction from Director Masashi Ando, exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings. Fan preview events will be followed by a limited theatrical release in select markets nationwide by GKIDS starting Friday, July 15th.

Animated by the acclaimed studio Production I.G, the film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator Masashi Ando, who previously worked as a character designer, animation director, and key animator with the famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), and with directors Satoshi Kon (Paprika, “Paranoia Agent”) and Makoto Shinkai (your name.). Co-director Masayuki Miyaji is best known for directing the 2009 series “Xam’s: Lost Memories” and work on Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbors The Yamadas. The original book series, by author Nahoko Uehashi, won the Booksellers Award and the fourth Japan Medical Novel Award in 2015, and has printed 2.2 million copies in Japan to date. Known for their work in series and feature animation, notable works from animation studio Production I.G include the legendary film Ghost in the Shell, and highly influential series “FLCL,” “Haikyu!!,” and “Psycho Pass.” The studio’s 2011 feature A Letter to Momo and 2015 feature Miss Hokusai are also distributed by GKIDS.

Tickets will be on sale June 10th at FathomEvents.com, TheDeerKing.com and participating theater box offices. The ticket on-sale date may vary based on local cinemas, so please check back often. (Theaters and participants are subject to change).

SYNOPSIS
In the aftermath of a brutal war, former soldier Van toils in a mine controlled by the ruling empire. One day, his solitary existence is upended when a pack of wild dogs carrying a deadly and incurable disease attack, leaving only Van and a young girl named Yuna as survivors. Finally free, the pair seek out a simple existence in the countryside but are pursued by nefarious forces. Intent on protecting Yuna at all costs, Van must uncover the true cause of the plague ravaging the kingdom—and its possible cure.

The Deer King is a sweeping fantasy epic that marks the directing debut of Masashi Ando, whose work on such landmark films as Spirited Away, Paprika, and Your Name. helped shape the world of modern animation.

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.