Shout! Secures North American Rights to Sunao Katabuchi’s ‘In This Corner of the World’

LOS ANGELES -- Multi-platform media company Shout! Factory and London-based anime producer, licensor and U.K. and Ireland distributor Animatsu Entertainment have entered into an exclusive film deal to distribute the new animated feature In This Corner of the World in North America. Based on the award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno, the film is written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi. Director Katabuchi began his career working closely with Hayao Miyazaki before directing his own animated films, including the acclaimed animated features Mai Mai Miracle and Princess Arete. Produced by GENCO and Japanese animation studio MAPPA, In This Corner of the World, bolstered by emotionally resonant storytelling and exquisite hand-drawn animation, is an empowering coming-of-age tale that captures the resilience and triumph of the human spirit. The announcement was made by Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; and Animatsu Entertainment’s Chief Operating Officer, Jerome Mazandarani.

Shout! Factory has secured all distribution rights to In This Corner of the World, including theatrical, video on-demand, digital, broadcast and home entertainment for cross-platform releases in U.S. and Canada. Shout! Factory plans a strategic rollout of this movie across multiple entertainment platforms, beginning with a North American theatrical launch this summer.

“Shout! Factory is a fantastic partner for this film. We were incredibly impressed by their work on Long Way North, and have been fans of their commitment to content curation and serious film and television fans in North America for a long time,” said Jerome Mazandarani, COO of Animatsu Entertainment. “It’s been clear throughout our discussions with the team that we couldn’t find a more committed and passionate company to handle this beautifully delicate film.”

“This truly is a unique and exquisite film, one which only comes around once every few decades, and we are incredibly proud to be involved with it. Unique films deserve unique partners and Shout! Factory are an absolute perfect match given their passion, expertise and back catalogue of releases,” said Andrew Hewson, Head of Acquisitions & Marketing at Animatsu Entertainment. “It will be a genuine pleasure to work closely with them to bring this masterpiece to North American audiences!”

“We couldn’t be more excited and honored about this new opportunity with Animatsu, Sunao, Genco and Mappa animation studio. Beautiful and deeply moving, In This Corner of the World is a captivating, socially relevant film that will impact everyone who sees it,” said Melissa Boag, Senior Vice President of Kids & Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory. “We look forward to presenting this remarkable hand-drawn animated film to animation enthusiasts and North American movie audiences this year.”

“Here is a film to celebrate. At once heartbreaking and inspiring, light and melancholy, it’s a profoundly intimate work with dimensional characters persevering and finding their humanity in the most challenging of circumstances. Sunao Katabuchi has created an instant classic,” said Jordan Fields, Vice President of Acquisitions at Shout! Factory.

The award-winning story of In This Corner of the World follows a young lady named Suzu Urano, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima to live with her husband’s family. Suzu’s life is thrown into chaos when her town is bombed during World War II. Her perseverance and courage underpin this heart-warming and inspirational tale of the everyday challenges faced by the Japanese in the midst of a violent, war-torn country. This beautiful yet poignant tale shows that even in the face of adversity and loss, people can come together and rebuild their lives.

Written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi, based on the original work by Fumiyo Kouno. Produced by Masao Maruyama (MAPPA Co., Ltd), Taro Maki (GENCO, Inc.). Original music by Kotringo.

Source: Shout! Factory