Image courtesy of Anime Limited. ©2024 Science SARU INC./STORY Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc./Lawson Entertainment, Inc.
Source: GKIDS, Anime Limited
GKIDS, the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of acclaimed and artist-driven animation, has released THE COLORS WITHIN to theaters across the United States (starting today, January 24th). Distributor Anime Ltd. will bring the film to cinemas in the United Kingdom and Ireland on January 31st.
THE COLORS WITHIN is a heartfelt coming-of-age story for the whole family that combines fun and catchy songs, beautiful pastel colours, and a touching story about those first steps we take towards finding ourselves. It held its sold-out world premiere as an official selection at the Annecy International Film Festival, and was selected for the BFI London Film Festival. The film won the Golden Goblet Award for Best Animation Film at the 2024 Shanghai International Film Festival, and tied for the Audience Award at the 7th Animation is Film Festival. Ity was domestically released in Japan on August 30, 2024.
US Theatrical poster. Image courtesy of GKIDS. ©2024 Science SARU INC./STORY Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc./Lawson Entertainment, Inc.
UK Theatrical poster. Image courtesy of Anime Limited. ©2024 Science SARU INC./STORY Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc./Lawson Entertainment, Inc.
THE COLORS WITHIN is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Naoko Yamada (A SILENT VOICE, LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD, THE HEIKE STORY), with production from studio Science SARU (SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF, INU-OH, THE HEIKE STORY). 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 composer Kensuke Ushio (DEVILMAN crybaby, CHAINSAW MAN, A SILENT VOICE) composed the score. Additionally, frequent Science SARU collaborator Takashi Kojima, who most recently worked with director Yamada on the series 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 series THE HEIKE STORY, her first work at studio Science SARU, which also debuted to wide acclaim.
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’?
For more on THE COLORS WITHIN, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan...
Image courtesy of GKIDS. ©2024 Science SARU INC./STORY Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc./Lawson Entertainment, Inc.
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. After an astounding 13 Best Animated Feature nominations, the company took home the Oscar in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed feature, THE BOY AND THE HERON. The company’s previous nominations include THE SECRET OF KELLS in 2010, A CAT IN PARIS and CHICO & RITA in 2012, ERNEST & CELESTINE in 2014, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA and SONG OF THE SEA in 2015, BOY AND THE WORLD and WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE in 2016, MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI in 2017, THE BREADWINNER in 2018, MIRAI in 2019, WOLFWALKERS in 2021, and THE BOY AND THE HERON in 2024.
For more than a decade, GKIDS’ influence on cinema has redefined the perception of animation as an artistic medium on par with live-action film through its stewardship of the Studio Ghibli catalog and by introducing American audiences to the critically-acclaimed films of other master filmmakers from around the world such as Makoto Shinkai (WEATHERING WITH YOU), Mamoru Hosoda (BELLE), Masaaki Yuasa (INU-OH), Tomm Moore (WOLFWALKERS), Hideaki Anno (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION), Nora Twomey (THE BREADWINNER), Satoshi Kon (PERFECT BLUE) and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Promare), among countless others. GKIDS is also the founder and host of ANIMATION IS FILM, the annual LA-based film festival which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form, and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of the medium to its fullest range of artistic expressions.
About Anime Limited
Founded in 2012, Glasgow-based Anime Limited is a subsidiary of PLAION PICTURES and represents Japanese animation interests in the UK, France, and beyond. With a thoughtfully curated lineup of films, series, and soundtracks, Anime Limited has earned its title of Europe’s favourite anime distributor. Whether through fan-centric cinema runs, beautifully packaged collector’s editions, or sharing the best of anime music on vinyl, We offer bespoke experiences for all fans for titles such as ATTACK ON TITAN, BELLE, COWBOY BEBOP, JUJUTSU KAISEN, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, ONE PIECE FILM: RED, SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE, YOUR NAME, and WEATHERING WITH YOU.