GKIDS today announced that it has acquired North American distribution rights to two films from acclaimed director Naoko Yamada: A Silent Voice and Liz and the Blue Bird.
A Silent Voice will also return to theaters nationwide on December 15, 2024 and December 16, 2024, with tickets on sale now. Both the English dubbed and Japanese subtitled trailers have been released on GKIDS' YouTube channel.
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The deal for A Silent Voice was negotiated between GKIDS and ABC Animation, and the deal for Liz and the Blue Bird was negotiated between GKIDS and Pony Canyon. Both films were previously licensed and released by Eleven Arts.
The acquisition follows GKIDS' July announcement at Anime Expo that it had acquired the rights to Naoko Yamada's short film The Garden of Remembrance. The distributor was recently acquired by Japanese entertainment company Toho and established as a subsidiary under Toho International.
Besides A Silent Voice and Liz and the Blue Bird, released in 2016 and 2018 respectively, Yamada previously directed the animated television series K-On!, Tamako Love Story and The Heike Story. Her latest animated film, The Colors Inside, was released this past August and will hit theaters in North America on January 24, 2025.
GKIDS describes the main summary of A Silent Voice as:
After transferring to a new school, deaf girl Shoko Nishimiya is bullied by the famous Shoya Ishida. When Shoya continues to bully Shoko, the entire class turns against him. Shoko moves away and Shoya grows up as an outcast. Lonely and depressed, Shoya regretfully turns to Shoko to make amends. “A Silent Voice” is a touching coming-of-age drama that depicts the hardships of adolescence through memorable characters and beautiful animation.
Meanwhile, Liz and the blue bird are described by GKIDS as:
Students and close friends Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki prepare to perform an intricate musical duet, “Liz and the Blue Bird, for oboe and flute.
Although they became brass band teammates in middle school and have played well together ever since, Mizore and Nozomi found themselves when high school graduation approached and duets proved difficult. , their friendship begins to experience a lot of pressure. Interspersed with the story is Liz's fantasy story, drawn like a storybook, contrasting with the sharp realism of school. These two distinct styles intertwine with upbeat music to tell a touching coming-of-age story.
Source: press release
