- Dates
10.21.2022 (Fri.) – 10.22.2022 (Sat.)
- Time
Varies
- Location
TCL CHINESE 6 THEATRES
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
- Fee
Varies
Each year, the “Animation is Film” festival curates the best animated cinema from around the world and spotlights this art form for a wide audience at the historic TCL Chinese 6 theatres in Hollywood. This fall, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is thrilled to partner with AIF in offering a special 20% discount code (JAPANHOUSELA) to enjoy the festival’s selection of Japanese films. Several of this year’s films are world premieres, and many screenings will feature a Q&A with directors, actors, and other talent.
From the latest installment of a smash hit anime franchise (“One Piece Film Red”) to a subtle drama (“Summer Ghost”), from a sweeping fantasy saga (“Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom”) to a witty take on traditional Japanese mythology (“Oni: Thunder God’s Tale”), don’t miss the chance to see the best of new Japanese animation on the big screen.
*To watch the videos in full screen, please click on the images below, then click on the YouTube icon on the lower right-hand corner.
World Premiere Screening
Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom
- Dates
10.21.2022 (Fri.)
- Time
8:00 PM (PDT)
- Program
World Premiere Screening
STORY
Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom. Two kingdoms separated by a large wall for 100 years. Discord between the two kingdoms—one rich in gold mines, and the other in nature—has driven them to the brink of war. This is a love story between a boy and a princess who meet by coincidence. Their unconditional love saves the two kingdoms.
Two neighboring kingdoms set in a certain world, in a certain time period. The Gold Kingdom, affluent with gold mines, lacked water resources. The Water Kingdom was rich in nature, but the lack of industry caused poverty. As we tend to want what we don’t have, the two kings were on bad terms for a long time. After a series of battles, they decide to sever relations with each other, building a long wall between the kingdoms. 100 years passed without any interactions.
100 years later, something was troubling the two kings. It was the secret pact that the two kingdoms made, stating that 100 years after they severed relations with each other, as a act of accepting the other kingdom, the Gold Kingdom was to offer the most beautiful girl in the kingdom as a bride, and the Water Kingdom was to offer the most wise man in the kingdom as the groom to form two couples.
However, the Gold Kingdom runs out of water resources, and the Water Kingdom suffers from deep poverty. The two kings plan a war against each other in the aim of invading the other kingdom. The kings work against the secret pact and coincidentally engage in a reckless action of sending a cat in place of a bride, and a dog in place of a groom. The receiver of the dog is Sara, the daughter of the king’s mistress, and a princess who was 100th in line to the throne. Although she has a beautiful heart, her existence is forgotten by others around her because of her timid personality, which resulted from her low social status and her chubby appearance. The receiver of the cat is a young construction engineer named Naranbayar. He is in fact a wise man and an eloquent speaker, but the kingdom requires its men to be brave warriors, therefore he does not have a job, and is also left unnoticed. For the sake of the future of their own kingdoms, they each decide to hide the fact that the other kingdom sent a cat and a dog instead. The gears of fate spin as they unexpectedly encounter each other. They become close after Naranbayar saves Sara when she accidentally enters the Water Kingdom from a hole in the wall.
Acting as Sara’s husband, Naranbayar secretly enters the Gold Kingdom. However, he had an ulterior motive. This causes misunderstandings, which develop into a situation involving the two kingdoms, and becomes a burden for the two who were drawn to each other. As they try to work hand in hand to overcome the 100-year secret of the two kingdoms, the king of the Water Kingdom sends his troops to the Gold Kingdom. The many encounters Naranbayar had in the Gold Kingdom causes thoughts to become intertwined and put his life in danger. Will Sara be able to save Naranbayar In this desperate situation? What will become of the two kingdoms? Fate depends on Sara’s courage. Will their love story have a happy ending?
One Piece Film Red
- Dates
10.22.2022 (Sat.)
- Time
6:30 PM (PDT)
- Program
World Premiere Screening (English Dub.)
STORY
Uta—the most beloved singer in the world whose voice has been described as “otherworldly”—is renowned for concealing her own identity when performing. Now, for the first time ever, she will reveal herself to the world at a live concert.
With the Navy watching closely, the venue fills with Uta’s fans—including excited pirates and the Straw Hats led by Luffy, who simply came to enjoy her sonorous performance—all eagerly awaiting the voice that the whole world has been waiting for to resound. The story begins with the shocking revelation that she is the enigmatic Shanks’ daughter.
Screening Featuring Q&A
Oni: Thunder God’s Tale
- Dates
10.22.2022 (Sat.)
- Time
11:45 AM (PDT)
- Program
Screening and Q&A with Filmmakers
STORY
In a world filled with Japanese mythological oddball gods and monsters, one of the creatures' free-spirited daughters, Onari, is determined to follow in the footsteps of the mighty heroes of lore, but her unique powers are yet to be revealed. Does she have what it takes to fight to protect her peaceful village from the encroaching threat of the gods' mysterious enemies, the “Oni”?
Summer Ghost
- Dates
10.22.2022 (Sat.)
- Time
8:30 PM (PDT)
- Program
Screening and Q&A with Director
STORY
A local urban legend claims that lighting fireworks at an abandoned airfield will call the “summer ghost,” a spirit that can answer any question. Three troubled teenagers – Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryo – do not know each other yet, but each has their own reasons to show up one day. When a sparkler is lit, a ghost named Ayane appears, and she reveals she is only visible to those “who are about to touch their death.” The three teens return home, but Tomoya soon begins visiting the airfield alone, as he becomes obsessed with the mystery surrounding Ayane and the true purpose of her visits.
Inspired by one of his own drawings, this remarkable directorial debut from the celebrated illustrator loundraw brings his lush visual sensibility to a poignant supernatural drama about the struggles of growing up, and the importance of living life to the fullest. A GKIDS release.
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