GKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, slated its North American release of Lonely Castle in the Mirror in select theaters nationwide for event showings on June 21 and 22 only. From critically acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (Miss Hokusai, Colorful, The Wonderland), the film features animation from A-1 Pictures, and is adapted from the beloved novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura.
GKIDS handles North American distribution for Hara’s films, including his previous features Summer Days with Coo (2007) and Miss Hokusai (2015). The studio will release Lonely Castle in the Mirror theatrically in both its original Japanese language and an all-new English dubbed version. Tickets are on sale now at LonelyCastleMovie.com.
Synopsis: Shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf.
The Japanese language voice cast features Ami Touma, Takumi Kitamura, Sakura Kiryu, Rihito Itagaki, Naho Yokomizo, Minami Takayama, Yuki Kaji and Mana Ashida.
Hara worked with various past collaborators on this project, including screenwriter Miho Maruo (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland), composer Harumi Fuuki (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland) and artist Ilya Kuvshinov (The Wonderland) for visual concept and castle designs. The film is produced by Hirotaka Aragaki and Kei Kushiyama.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror held its International Premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival (the first time a Japanese animated feature was selected for the festival) and had its U.S. premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. It was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and was a box office hit during its domestic release in Japan in December 2022, grossing over 1 billion yen (approx. 7.3 million USD).
