Crunchyroll acquires Suzume No Tojimari rights
May 23, 2022
By Nik Roseveare
Crunchyroll has acquired the global distribution and marketing rights (excluding Asia) from TOHO, for Makoto Shinkai’s upcoming film, Suzume No Tojimari (working title).
The deal was finalised at the Cannes Film Festival and was negotiated by Crunchyroll’s Chief Content Officer Asa Suehira, Wild Bunch International’s CEO Vincent Maraval and TOHO’s Akihiro Takeda.
Suzume No Tojimari will debut in Japan on November 11th, and will be distributed in all major territories beginning in early 2023. In North America, Crunchyroll is the sole distributor. In Latin America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East and portions of Europe, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment. In French- and German-speaking Europe, the film will be co-released by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International.
“It’s with humility and honour that TOHO and Makoto Shinkai have decided to partner with Crunchyroll on the next masterpiece,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “It’s also an incredible opportunity to work with our partners at Sony Pictures Entertainment and Wild Bunch to co-distribute this film across a wide swatch of territories. We know both anime and animation fans – and general audiences – will fall in love with this prestigious film, and we can’t wait to see the world’s reaction and reception to it in cinemas, festivals and for awards consideration.”
“We are excited to work with Makoto Shinkai, TOHO and Crunchyroll,” added Vincent Maraval, President of Wild Bunch International. “We consider Makoto Shinkia as a major artist with whom we wanted to work for a long time. He is a talented director that we welcome in our family of cinema masters and we feel proud to be able to bring his vision to the cinema world all around the globe.”
Suzume no Tojimari is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close mysteriously appearing doors that are causing devastation.