Singapore-based film distributor Encore Films has revealed in a press release they will be releasing several Japanese movies this November.
They are set to release the anime film adaptation of The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes romance light novel series, City Hunter’s newest anime film project City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust, and Hayao Miyazaki’s latest work The Boy and The Heron.
The company is also set to bring the Japanese live-action film Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room in Philippine cinemas next month.
The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes
夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口
The Tunnel of Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes leads two young people to Urashima Tunnel, a mysterious tunnel that can grant one’s fondest wish but with a price. High school student Kaoru is plagued by a troubled past and fatefully teams up with Anzu, a girl who struggles to place obligations before her dreams. Destined to meet to unravel the mystery of the tunnel, Kaoru and Anzu learn along the way about young love and bending time itself. (Synopsis from Encore Films)
The Tunnel of Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is an anime film adaptation of a Japanese light novel series, written by Mei Hachimoku and illustrated by Kukka, which was published by Shogakukan, under its Gagaga Bunko imprint, in July 2019.
The light novel series also received a manga adaptation, which was serialized in the publisher’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X magazine from July 2020 to November 2021, and released four (4) volumes.
Tomohisa Taguchi, who worked on BLEACH: The Thousand-Year Blood War anime series, directed the anime film, as well as handled its screenplay and storyboard. The film’s character designs were handled by Tomomi Yabuki, who previously worked on the Puzzle & Dragons X anime series, which was animated by the anime studio CLAP.
The Japanese voice cast is led by Oji Suzuka as “Kaoru Tono”, and Marie Iitoyo as “Anzu Hanashiro”. Suzuka starred in Netflix’s 2023 live-action adaptation of the popular romance manga Kimi ni Todoke as “Shota Kazehaya”, while Iitoyo starred in the live-action special of the popular drama manga anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day as “Chiriko Tsurumi”.
The Tunnel of Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes will be released exclusively at SM Cinema branches nationwide on Wednesday, 01 November.
City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust
劇場版シティーハンター 天使の涙（エンジェルダスト）
City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust is the fifth anime film adaptation based on the popular detective comedy manga franchise by Tsukasa Hojo, which started as a manga series from February 1985 to November 1991 and released a total of 35 volumes. The anime film’s release coincides with the franchise’s 35th anniversary.
The anime film revolves around the past of lead protagonist Ryo Saeba and the death of his old partner Hideyuki Makimura, as well as an all-new drug called Angel Dust that is controlled by an underground organization.
Kenji Kodama, who worked on television and theatrical anime adaptation of the City Hunter manga series, returned to work as the chief director of the new film, while Tokyo Revengers scriptwriter Yasuyuki Muto handled the screenplay. Character designs were made by the team of Kumiko Takahashi and Seigo Kitazawa, which was animated by Sunrise.
Akira Kamiya, the long-time voice of lead character Ryo Saeba, reprises his role in the anime film.
City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust is set to be released exclusively at SM Cinema branches nationwide on Wednesday, 08 November.
Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room The Movie
劇場版TOKYO MER～走る緊急救命室～
Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room The Movie is based on the popular live-action television series of the same name, which first aired from July to September 2021.
The series is about a team of emergency professionals on wheels formed by the Tokyo governor with one mission: to prevent a single death. The film portrays the hazards that medical workers have to face in saving 193 lives from being trapped in a fire on the 70th floor of a Yokohama skyscraper.
Ayaka Matsuki, who directed the 2021 live-action television series, returned to work on the live-action film. She also directed the live-action romance series Hana Nochi Hare. Tsutomu Kuroiwa, who worked on the live-action film adaptation of the popular manga series Black Butler, handled the screenplay for the film.
The cast of the television series, including Ryohei Suzuki (as Kota Kitami), Kento Kaku (as Nao Otowa), Ayami Nakajo (as Hina Tsurumaki), Nanao (as Natsume Kuramae) and Shinya Kote (as Jiro Fuyuki) among others, reprised their respective roles in the live-action film.
Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room The Movie is set to be released exclusively at Ayala Mall Cinemas on Wednesday, 22 November.
The Boy and the Heron
君たちはどう生きるか
The Boy and the Heron follows a boy named Mahito who enters a magical world with a talking grey heron after finding an abandoned tower in his new town. Yearning for his mother, Mahito ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead where death comes to an end and life finds a new beginning. (Synopsis from Encore Films)
The Boy and the Heron is a Japanese fantasy anime film, written and directed by the renowned creator Hayao Miyazaki, which was released in Japanese cinemas in July this year. The film is a semi-autobiographical fantasy that draws heavily from Miyazaki’s childhood and explores themes such as coming-of-age, death and tribute to friendship.
The Boy and the Heron’s character designs are handled by Takeshi Honda, who worked in several Neon Genesis Evangelion anime films. The anime film also features the musical compositions of Joe Jisaishi, while the ending theme song “Spinning Globe” is written and sung by Kenshi Yonezu.
Soma Santoki portrays the anime film’s lead character “Masato Maki”.
The Boy and the Heron is scheduled to be released in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, November 29.
For more details on upcoming movie screenings, please like the official Facebook page of Encore Films in the Philippines at facebook.com/encorefilmsph, as well as other social media platforms.
The films are being released by Encore Films, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines for local distribution.
