Scotland Loves Anime, the UK’s biggest and longest running film festival dedicated to anime today they have revealed the 15th anniversary line up. Even better the festival is coming to London!
The long running Anime film festival announce the dates at Glasgow Film Theatre (1st – 3rd November), and Edinburgh Cameo Playhouse (4th-10th November). Now starting partnership with Picturehouse Central, London from Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November!
This year’s line-up including Naoko Yamada’s highly anticipated coming-of-age film The Colors Within. Wowing critics at its Annecy, the powerful existential thriller Look Back based on the critically acclaimed manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto.
Having previously partnered with Picturehouse cinema group following the sudden closure of the Filmhouse in Edinburgh back in 2022, Scotland Loves Anime’s Founder and Festival Director said of the new expansion- “I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we started the festival, but it feels like the right time to expand what we do and bring the festival experience to as many people as possible. We’re excited to be working with our friends at Picturehouse Cinemas to launch the next phase of the festival. The team have been great to work with and stepped up to help us when the festival lost one of its key venues. We’re excited to see how audiences in London react to the launch, and we hope to develop the London weekend in the coming years.”
In Glasgow, The Colors Within director Naoko Yamada and composer kensuke ushio will take part in a Q&A following the film’s Scottish premiere. Further guests will be announced later this month.
Glasgow (1st-3rd November):
Friday 1st November: KuraYukaba + Shorts, The Birth of Kitaro: Mystery of GeGeGe, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.
Sunday 2nd November: Trapezium, The Colors Within (incl. Q&A with director Naoko Yamada and composer Kensuke ushio), SAND LAND.
Sunday 3rd November: A Few Moments of Cheers (incl. Recording Q&A with the director), Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, Look Back.
Edinburgh (4th-10th November):
Monday 4th November: PROMARE.
Tuesday 5th November: Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.
Wednesday 6th November: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Parts 1 & 2.
Thursday 7th November: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Parts 3 & 4.
Friday 8th November: The Birth of Kitaro: Mystery of GeGeGe, Suzume + Short Film (The Scent of Love), Look Back, A Few Moments of Cheers (incl. Recorded Q&A with the director).
Saturday 9th November: KuraYukaba + Shorts, The Colors Within, SAND LAND.
Sunday 10th November: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, KURAMERUKAGARI + Short, Ghost Cat Anzu, Trapezium.
London (15th-17th November):
Friday 15th November: The Birth of Kitaro: Mystery of GeGeGe, Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, SAND LAND.
Saturday 16th November: KuraYukaba + Shorts, The Colors Within, Look Back.
Sunday 17th November: KURAMERUKAGARI + Short, Trapezium, Ghost Cat Anzu, A Few Moments of Cheers (incl. Recorded Q&A with the director).
A FEW MOMENTS OF CHEER (12)
Kanata Asaya is a high school student with passion in creating music videos.
One evening, while looking for inspiration, he comes across a street singer and is overwhelmed by her song, then decides to create music video for her.
However, the next day he discovers this singer, Yu Orie, is his new teacher: she has just given up her musical career…
Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Parts 1 & 2 (15)
Year Seven of the Kowa Period, in the former Hokkaido Block occupied by the Neo-Britannian Empire, live mercenary brothers known as the Nameless Mercenaries. The eldest, Ash, has excellent athletic ability and advanced Knightmare Frame controlling skills, while the youngest, Rozé, is clearheaded and oversees intel gathering and devising strategies. Due to an impregnable wall of energy called the Situmpe Wall, for four years the 100th emperor who stopped the Black Knights’ liberation plan, Callis al Britannia, has been trying to plunge the world into chaos once again with the help of his servant, Norland, and his Einberg Knights. Upon receiving a request, Rozé and Ash, along with the Seven Shining Stars resistance group confront the Empire to recapture Princess Sakuya.
Parts 1 & 2 of the series of 4 – as originally run in cinemas in Japan
also Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Parts 3 & 4 (15)
GHOST CAT ANZU(PG)
11-year-old Karin is abandoned by her father at her grandfather’s house, the monk of a small town in the Japanese countryside. Her grandfather asks Anzu, his jovial, helpful, although rather capricious, ghost-cat to look after her. The clash of their strong characters causes sparks, at least at the beginning.
KURAMERUKAGARI (12)
This is a story that weaves together people and a town. A coal mining town crowded with small-scale excavators, commonly known as the “Hakoniwa.” In this town that changes daily like a labyrinth, there’s a girl named Kagari who runs a mapmaking business and a boy named Yuya who dreams of breaking free from the “Hakoniwa.” Eventually, the two, along with the unique residents of the town, find themselves confronting a conspiracy that shakes the entire town. The fate of the” Hakoniwa” depends on Kagari’s drawings on the map.
KUREYUKABA (12)
“Yes, Ootsuji Detective Agency” In the purple smoke lies a faint dream, and in the town, rumors swirl like smoke. Now, facing the strangeness of the “mass disappearance” bewildering society, detective Soutarou confronts it! With no witnesses and unclear intentions, the identity of the “ominous tracks” that always appear in its footsteps… In search of clues, the detective delves into the underground realm of the town called “Kuragari.” There, the encounter with the black iron armored train and its commander, Tanne, will significantly shake the fate of the detective!
LOOK BACK (15)
Fujino is an elementary student publishing 4-panel manga in a student publication. She receives high praise from her classmates until her teacher tells her that truant student, Kyomoto, wants to try her hand at a 4-panel manga. Their love of manga is the one thing connecting these contrary girls. One day, however, something happens to them that shatters everything… A heart-wrenching and impactful story of youth.
LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO 4K (12)
Master thief Lupin III’s latest and greatest caper has hit a snag. What should’ve been bags of cash from a national casino turns out to be expert counterfeits! Together with his partner-in-crime Jigen, Lupin heads to the remote European nation of Cagliostro to exact revenge.
PROMARE (12)
Thirty years have passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings who destroyed half of the world with fire.
When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves “Mad Burnish” appears, the epic battle between Galo Thymos, a new member of the anti-Burnish rescue team “Burning Rescue,” and Lio Fotia, the leader of “Mad Burnish” begins.
CELEBRATING THE FIFTH BIRTHDAY OF PROMARE
SAND LAND (15)
In a desert world where both demons and humans are suffering from the severe drought, fiend Prince Beelzebub, demon Thief and the human sheriff Rao team up and set off on an adventure in search of the Legendary Spring somewhere in the desert.
SUZUME + THE SCENT OF LOVE (PG)
Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.
THE BIRTH OF KITARO: THE MYSTERY OF GEGEGE (15)
Mizuki, a bank employee, goes to Nagura village on a secret mission. Gegero also goes to the village searching for his wife. In the Ryuga clan, who are secretly manipulating Japan, there is a struggle for the successor’s position. Suddenly, a clan member is murdered. This is the beginning of a horrifying chain of supernatural events.
THE COLORS WITHIN (PG)
Synesthete Totsuko can see others as colors. Honor student Kimi has dropped out of school but still pretends to attend for her grandmother’s sake. They reunite and decide to form a band with Rui, who dreams of composing on analog synthesizers but whose mother expects him to become a doctor. Together, they find freedom, joy, and love.
TOTTO-CHAN (15)
In Tokyo, just before World War II, there is a school that combines learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school has old railroad cars for classrooms, and it is run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi who is a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity. Here arrives Totto-chan, a lively little girl who doesn’t fit in at her original elementary school. Thanks to headmaster Sosaku, Totto-chan will meet unique students and learn new things, even when Japan descends into war.
Scotland Loves Anime will take place from 1st November, for exact dates and book tickets at the festival official website.
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