GKIDS announced a multi-territory acquisition of director Naoko Yamada’s new film The Colors Within (Kiminoiro). GKIDS has acquired the film for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, while Anime Ltd. has acquired the film for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and all of Europe. Plaion Pictures will handle Italian and German speaking territories. GKIDS and Anime Ltd. have engaged Charades to manage sales for the rest of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.
The distributors along with animation studio Science SARU and producer Story revealed the new film’s official English language title as The Colors Within.
It was announced today that the film will have its world premiere in competition at the prestigious 2024 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. GKIDS and Anime will theatrically release the film in both its original Japanese language and a new English dubbed version this winter, and GKIDS will qualify the film for 2024-25 awards consideration. The film will be domestically released in Japan on 30 August.
“We have long admired Naoko Yamada and her ability to create dazzling, emotional stories out of the everyday concerns of teenagers,” said GKIDS president David Jesteadt. “The Colors Within is her most beautiful film yet, and we are proud to partner with our friends at Anime on another soon to be classic from Science SARU and Story, who are responsible for some of the best anime productions of this new century.”
“The partnership and coordination on the international release of The Colors Within signals a new approach to film promotion: working together on a singular global vision whilst utilising our respective local experience to maximise the impact of the film. Working in unison like this allows all of us to provide the best possible support for talented directorial voices,” said Anime CEO Andrew Partridge. “On a personal level, I’ve worked closely with promoting Naoko Yamada’s films before I even founded Anime – starting with her debut feature film as a part of Scotland Loves Anime. So it’s a real pleasure to be bringing her latest work to as wide an audience as possible in Europe.”
Synopsis: Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colours’ of others. Colours of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a colour she treasures as her favourite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful colour 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 practise at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true ‘colours’?
The Colors Within is directed by 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 (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 collaborator Kensuke Ushio (DEVILMAN crybaby, Chainsaw Man, A Silent Voice) composed the score. Frequent Science SARU collaborator Takashi Kojima, who most recently worked with director Yamada on 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 Heike Story, her first work at studio Science SARU, which also debuted to wide acclaim.
GKIDS and Anime have worked together on many of the top anime titles of the past several years, with the former taking North America and the latter taking UK and additional territories. Films the two companies have both handled include BELLE, EVANGELION:3.0+1.11 THRICE UPON A TIME, The First Slam Dunk, the Golden Globe-nominated Inu-Oh, the Academy Award-nominated Mirai, Weathering With You, and many more.