Crunchyroll Acquires North American Theatrical Rights for "Whoever Steals This Book"
Crunchyroll has announced its acquisition of the North American theatrical rights for the anime film adaptation of Nowaki Fukamidori's fantasy novel, "Whoever Steals This Book" (Kono Hon o Nusumu Mono wa). The film will be screened in Japanese with English subtitles, bringing this captivating story to a wider audience.
International Premiere at New York International Children's Film Festival
Adding to the excitement, "Whoever Steals This Book" will have its international premiere at this year's New York International Children's Film Festival. The film has been selected as an official entry, offering festival attendees a first look at this highly anticipated anime adaptation. The festival is scheduled to run from February 28 to March 15, providing a platform for the film to connect with young audiences and critics alike.
Release Details and Synopsis
The film initially opened in Japan on December 26, captivating audiences with its enchanting narrative. The story revolves around Mifuyu, a high school student who inherits a vast collection of books from her great-grandfather, known as Mikura Hall. Despite her family's passion for literature, Mifuyu initially shows little interest in the books. However, when several books are stolen, an ancient curse is unleashed, transforming the town based on the stories within the stolen books. To restore order, Mifuyu embarks on an adventure with the help of a mysterious girl named Mashiro, venturing into different story worlds to catch the thief and break the curse.
Talented Cast and Crew
The film features a stellar cast, including Rin Kataoka as Mifuyu Mikura, Sora Tamaki as Mashiro, Nao Toyama as Hirune Mikura, and Junichi Suwabe as Ayumu Mikura. The supporting cast includes Shizuka Ito, Shimba Tsuchiya, Romi Park, Shigeru Chiba, Ryota Suzuki, Reina Ueda, Tomokazu Seki, Rie Takahashi, Yo Taichi, Makoto Koichi, Yumiri Hanamori, Hitomi Ueda, Manaka Iwami, Jun Fukuyama, Inori Minase, Akio Otsuka, Shun Horie, and Masaya Matsukaze.
The film is directed by Daisei Fukuoka, known for his work on the "Radiant" series, "Danganronpa 3," and "Phantom of the Idol." Yasuhiro Nakanishi, who wrote the scripts for "Kaguya-sama: Love is War," "No Longer Allowed In Another World," and "Shy," is responsible for the film's screenplay. Keiko Kurosawa, the character designer and animation director, has previously worked on "Astra Lost in Space" and "Asobi Asobase." Michiru Oshima, the composer, is recognized for her contributions to "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Little Witch Academia." Yuji Higa, the founder of Kagome Company, served as the animation producer.
Behind-the-Scenes Talent
The film's production also involves a talented team of behind-the-scenes professionals. Eriko Murata and Taro Kaguchi served as color key artists. Koji Ichikawa was the CG director, and Aya Kubota was the 2D designer. Yuichiro Tozawa was the compositing director of photography, and Kengo Shigemura was the editor. Fumiyuki Go served as the sound director, completing the talented production team.
Theme Song and Novel Adaptation
The theme song, "Share," is performed by vocalist YUKI, formerly of Judy and Mary. Yen On has licensed and released the novel in English, making the original story accessible to English-speaking readers. This allows fans to delve deeper into the world of "Whoever Steals This Book" and experience the story in both its literary and cinematic forms.
Manga Adaptation and Spinoff Novel
A manga adaptation of the novel, illustrated by Kakeru Sora, was serialized in Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine. Yen Press has released the manga's three compiled book volumes in English, further expanding the franchise's reach. Additionally, Kadokawa published a spinoff novel titled "Kuso no Umi" (Fantasy Sea) in May 2023, providing fans with even more content to explore within this imaginative universe.
Crunchyroll's Continued Commitment to Anime
Crunchyroll's acquisition of the theatrical rights for "Whoever Steals This Book" highlights the company's continued commitment to bringing high-quality anime to North American audiences. By showcasing both established and emerging titles, Crunchyroll plays a significant role in promoting the global appreciation of Japanese animation.
