Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1995 Aoi Hiiragi, Shueisha/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NH
Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1995 Aoi Hiiragi, Shueisha/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NH
WHISPER OF THE HEART from globally celebrated animation house Studio Ghibli will make its debut, now remastered in 4K, exclusively in IMAX theatres in the US and Canada on April 21 . Following last month’s KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE IMAX screenings, GKIDS continues its collaboration with IMAX to bring newly remastered 4K Studio Ghibli titles to North American audiences. Tickets are now on sale for this beloved classic, with showings in both the original Japanese language with subtitles and English language dubbed versions
WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995) is a heartwarming, coming-of-age classic from celebrated studio veteran Director Yoshifumi Kondo based on the original manga by Aoi Hiiragi and a screenplay and storyboards by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Tickets are on sale now for its IMAX debut on April 21.
Synopsis:
Discover the brilliance of this heartwarming coming-of-age classic from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and the Academy Award-winning SPIRITED AWAY.
A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a girl with her head in the clouds, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, an antique cat figurine who guides her to listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination.
Based on a screenplay and storyboards from Hayao Miyazaki, WHISPER OF THE HEART is a precious gem in the Studio Ghibli catalog, directed by veteran animator Yoshifumi Kondo.
Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1995 Aoi Hiiragi, Shueisha/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NH
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award–winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the “animation is film” movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. GKIDS represents the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai (YOUR NAME., WEATHERING WITH YOU), Satoshi Kon (PERFECT BLUE, MILLENNIUM ACTRESS), Tomm Moore (SONG OF THE SEA, WOLFWALKERS), Mamoru Hosoda (MIRAI, WOLFWALKERS), and serves as the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.
This year’s Academy Award nominations mark the studio’s milestone of 15 Academy Award nominations overall with a first nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling with KOKUHO, and a 14th nomination in the Best Animated Feature category with LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN. The studio took home a win in the category in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki’s THE BOY AND THE HERON.
Building on this legacy, GKIDS recently expanded into live-action film, applying the same thoughtful curation and innovative distribution strategies to filmmaker-driven projects reflecting diverse global perspectives and bold creative ambition. GKIDS also produces the popular, annual, nationwide Ghibli Fest, and is the founder and producer of the LA-based ANIMATION IS FILM festival, the premier U.S. showcase for global feature animation.
In addition to KOKUHO, upcoming theatrical releases include the highly anticipated GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, the follow up to director Takaski Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning GODZILLA MINUS ONE; and SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM, the latest Aardman feature in the beloved Oscar-nominated film series. In addition to the Oscar-nominated LITTLE AMÉLIE AND THE CHARACTER OF RAIN, recent theatrical releases are the box office hit JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION, Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic ANGEL’S EGG, and the critically acclaimed ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, alongside groundbreaking television series such as DAN DA DAN, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, and ARCANE: LEAGUE OF LEGENDS.
@GKIDSFilms