GKids Acquires Three Features From Director Masaaki Yuasa, Including ‘Mind Game’

By Max Covill

Cult favorite Mind Game coming Stateside from Gkids.

Gkids are not only the purveyors of international animation but also the prominent distributors of theatrical Japanese animation outside of Japan. While other distributors will release a film here or there including 2017’s Your Name and A Silent Voice, on the whole Gkids is at the forefront of the industry. Now they’ve made three new acquisitions from director Masaaki Yuasa, best known for his 2004 work, Mind Game.

In addition to Mind Game, Gkids has also obtained the rights to 2017’s Lu Over the Wall and Night is Short, Walk on Girl. All three features will be released in their original Japanese language, but Lu Over the Wall will receive an English dub that will premier at Sundance later this month. In a statement from Gkids company president Dave Jesteadt, he said “Gkids is incredibly excited to be bringing these three films to Yuasa fans in North America. And for those who have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing the indelible creative brilliance that is Masaaki Yuasa, you are in for an incredible treat.”

Deadline provided further details on the new films. Lu Over the Wall is about a little mermaid who comes to the shore and joins a middle-school rock band. While Night is Short, Walk on Girl takes place during a single night where a young woman meets a collection of odd and fantastical characters. For purveyors of Japanese animation, Mind Game has been a sought-after title for the US. The cult classic animation ever had a highly successful Kickstarter where they crushed their campaign goal. It is one of those titles that has lived through word of mouth and aftermarket releases, that will now finally get a theatrical release and a US home video release presumably sometime afterward.

Considering the Gkids has also released films by Studio Ponoc and Studio Ghibli among others showcases their commitment to distributing highly anticipated Japanese anime. Mind Game is finally coming over and then there two new releases from Masaaki Yuasa. 2018 is starting off on the right foot.

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