Anime fans in the United States will have another chance to experience Mamoru Hosoda’s critically acclaimed film, The Boy and the Beast, as it returns to select theaters for a special one-day screening on August 18. The re-release will feature the original Japanese audio with English subtitles.
A Brief Return to the Big Screen
This limited theatrical engagement, spearheaded by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, offers a unique opportunity for both new viewers and long-time fans to see the animated adventure on the big screen. Tickets for the August 18 screening are currently available. The film originally premiered in Japan in July 2015, quickly becoming a box office success there, and was later released in U.S. theaters by Funimation in March 2016.
The Story of Kyuta and Kumatetsu
The Boy and the Beast tells the story of Kyuta, a young orphan navigating the streets of Shibuya, who finds himself transported to a fantastical world inhabited by beasts. There, he is taken in by Kumatetsu, a formidable but unrefined warrior beast. Kumatetsu is on a quest to find a suitable apprentice, and despite their initial clashes and constant bickering, an unexpected bond forms between Kyuta and Kumatetsu, akin to that of a surrogate father and son. Their connection is ultimately tested when a looming darkness threatens to engulf both the human and beast worlds, forcing them to unite their strengths in a final confrontation.
The Vision of Mamoru Hosoda
The film was written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, known for his distinctive storytelling and visually imaginative works. Hosoda’s previous notable films include Wolf Children (2012) and Summer Wars (2009). The Boy and the Beast garnered critical acclaim, winning the Animation of the Year award at the 37th Japan Academy Prizes. It was also Japan’s second-highest-grossing domestic film in 2015. The animation for the film was produced by Studio Chizu.
Continued U.S. Distribution
Funimation was initially responsible for the U.S. theatrical release in 2016, offering both the original Japanese language version with English subtitles and a newly produced English dub. The English dub was developed with direct input from director Mamoda Hosoda. More recently, GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights for several of Hosoda’s films, including The Boy and the Beast, planning new theatrical and home video releases.
