On-Gaku: Our Sound, based on the acclaimed Manga, is going to get its big stateside release sometime in the back half of this year. The movie does not have a proper release date at this time, as most movie theaters have been shut down since mid-march. But with big chains like AMC, Cinemark and Regal getting ready to reopen in July, GKIDS promises thatOn-Gaku: Our Soundwill be in theaters sometime in 2020.
GKIDS, the acclaimedproducer and distributor of animationfor adult and family audiences, announced that it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the animated featureOn-Gaku: Our Soundfrom director Kenji Iwaisawa, based on the manga by Hiroyuki Ohashi.
In production for over seven years,On-Gaku: Our Soundis composed of over 40,000 hand drawn frames, using therotoscoping animation technique. The film won the Nelvana Grand Prize at the 2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival, and has been selected for the Contrechamp Competition section at the upcoming 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. GKIDS will release the film in 2020.
When you’re abored teenagerlooking for thrills, sometimes the only thing you can turn to is rock ‘n roll. Having no skill, money, or even a full set of drums, a feared trio of high school delinquents nevertheless decide they are destined for musical glory in a quest to impress their only friend Aya, avoid a rival gang, and - most importantly - jam out.
Animated almost entirely by director Kenji Iwaisawa, and featuring a lead performance by Japanese alt-rock legend Shintaro Sakamoto,On-Gaku: Our Soundbrings its own sound and vision to the Hiroyuki Ohashi manga from which it was adapted. With pitch-perfect deadpan humor, the film presents a highly original take on the beloved slacker comedy: a lo-fi buddy film with a blaring musical finale that will leave you wanting an immediate encore.
Rodney Uhler of GKIDS and Emico Kawai of Nikkatsu Corporation negotiated the deal for North American rights. said Rodney Uhler, GKIDS’ Director of Special Projects.
“On-Gaku: Our Soundreminds us of ourfavorite indie comedieswhile remaining a wholly unique film. Kenji Iwaisawa’s remarkable hand-drawn work has created a film full of quotable lines, distinctive characters and infectious style. It remains one of the most fun viewing experiences we’ve had all year, and we can’t wait to share the film with audiences.”
GKIDS is the New York-based producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2009, the company has scored eleven Best Animated Feature Oscar® nominations withThe Secret of Kellsin 2010,A Cat in ParisandChico & Ritain 2012,Ernest & Celestinein 2014,The Tale of The Princess KaguyaandSong of the Seain 2015,Boy and the WorldandWhen Marnie Was Therein 2016,My Life as a Zucchiniin 2017,The Breadwinnerin 2018, andMiraiin 2019.
GKIDS also handles North American distribution for the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles such asSpirited Away,My Neighbor Totoro,Princess Mononokeand more. GKIDS also produces the annual LA-based film festival, ANIMATION IS FILM, which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of their work to the fullest range of expression of which medium is capable.www.gkids.com.
