The beautifully animated and utterly unique Summer Ghost will be coming to Blu-ray and all major digital platforms on November 1 from GKIDS with distribution by Shout! Factory. Inspired by one of his own drawings, the directorial debut from the celebrated Japanese illustrator loundraw brings his lush visual sensibility to a supernatural drama about the pains of growing up and the importance of living life to the fullest. Bonus features include the feature-length documentary To You Before Dawn, a feature animatic, and an interview with loundraw. Summer Ghost will be released in its original Japanese language version as well as an all-new English language dub and is available for pre-order now by visiting ShoutFactory.com and GKIDS.com/store.
Celebrated for his detailed spatial designs, use of transparent, airy colors, and attention to depth of field, loundraw began his career as an illustrator when he was a teenager, finding early success on online platforms. He also created key visuals for various notable writers, including illustrations for the novel “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas,” which was later adapted to a theatrical film. Outside of his work in illustration, loundraw’s debut original animation “Until Dreams Awaken” was released on YouTube in collaboration with the wildly popular Japanese rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN and swiftly hit over 2 million views, and he was the concept designer for the recent anime adaptation of Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.
Conceived as a “short feature,” Summer Ghost showcases original character designs from loundraw and is produced by FLAT STUDIO, the all-new animation studio he established in 2019. The film’s screenplay was written by novelist Hirotaka “Otsuichi” Adachi, and the soundtrack is by internationally renowned pianist Akira Kosemura. Released in Japanese theaters in 2021, the film has garnered wide festival play domestically and abroad, including screenings at Leeds International Film Festival (International Premiere), Annecy International Film Festival, and Fantasia International Film Festival, where it was awarded the Gold Audience Award for Short Film.
Synopsis:
An urban legend says that lighting fireworks at an abandoned airfield will beckon the “summer ghost,” a spirit that can answer any question. Three teenagers, Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryo, each have their own reason for showing up one day. When a ghost named Ayane appears, she reveals she is only visible to those “who are about to touch their death.” Compelled by the ghost and her message, Tomoya begins regularly visiting the airfield to uncover the true purpose of her visits.
Summer Ghost Bonus Features:
To You Before Dawn Documentary
Feature Animatic
Interview with loundraw
Summer Ghost English Dub Voice Cast:
Tomoya – David Errigo Jr.
Ayane – Megan Taylor Harvey
Ryo – Clifford Chapin
Aoi – Kyla Carter
Tomoya’s Mom – Anne Yatco
Ayane’s Mom – Anne Yatco
