GKIDS, the Academy Award®-winning producer and distributor of acclaimed and artist-driven animation, and Anime Ltd., Europe’s leading boutique animation distributor specializing in original story film, have announced a multi-territory acquisition of THE COLORS WITHIN (KIMINOIRO), the new film from award-winning director Naoko Yamada. GKIDS has acquired the film for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, while Anime Ltd. has acquired the film for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and all of Europe.
It was announced yesterday that the film will have its world premiere in competition at the prestigious 2024 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. GKIDS and Anime Ltd. will theatrically release the film in both its original Japanese language and a new English dubbed version this winter, and GKIDS will qualify the film for 2024-25 awards consideration. The film will be domestically released in Japan on August 30th.
Synopsis
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn’t play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true ‘colors’?
THE COLORS WITHIN is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice, Liz and the Blue Bird), with production from studio Science SARU (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Inu-Oh). Producer Genki Kawamura’s Story inc. (Your Name., Weathering With You, Suzume), is additionally attached to the film for planning and producing. Screenwriter Reiko Yoshida (Ride Your Wave, Violet Evergarden) penned the script, and longtime Science SARU collaborator kensuke ushio (DEVILMAN crybaby, Chainsaw Man, A Silent Voice) composed the score. Frequent Science SARU collaborator Takashi Kojima, who most recently worked with director Yamada on The Heike Story, joined the production as character designer and animation director.
Director Yamada worked as a key animator on many seminal television series, such as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, and Clannad. She went on to direct the beloved show K-On! and its sequel, as well as the critically acclaimed animated features A Silent Voice and Liz and the Blue Bird. In 2021, Yamada directed The Heike Story, her first work at studio Science SARU, which also debuted to wide acclaim.
“We have long admired Naoko Yamada and her ability to create dazzling, emotional stories out of the everyday concerns of teenagers,” said GKIDS president David Jesteadt. “The Colors Within is her most beautiful film yet, and we are proud to partner with our friends at Anime Ltd. on another soon to be classic from Science SARU and Story inc., who are responsible for some of the best anime productions of this new century.”
“The partnership and coordination on the international release of The Colors Within signals a new approach to film promotion: working together on a singular global vision whilst utilizing our respective local experience to maximize the impact of the film. Working in unison like this allows all of us to provide the best possible support for talented directorial voices,” said Anime Ltd. CEO Andrew Partridge. ”On a personal level, I’ve worked closely with promoting Naoko Yamada’s films before I even founded Anime Ltd. – starting with her debut feature film as a part of Scotland Loves Anime. So it’s a real pleasure to be bringing her latest work to as wide an audience as possible in Europe.”
We can’t wait to find out more about this project, especially as fans of Naoko Yamada. Hopefully, it won’t be long before we receive a closer look at the film, as well as a more precise release window. While we wait, back in 2022 we had the unique priviledge of talking to Yamada about her short film Garden of Remembrance. You can check out our full discussion here, and don’t forget to catch up on all of the latest anime news.
