11 hours ago
Shingo Natsume's First Original Feature-Length Anime Film "ghost (Working Title)" Announced for 2027 Release!
The highly anticipated latest work from rising animation director Shingo Natsume, his first original theatrical anime "ghost (working title)," has been officially announced! The film is scheduled for release in 2027.
Along with the announcement, a teaser visual and partial staff information have been revealed.
▲Teaser visual
The teaser visual features a mysterious girl named Nike, holding a glass sword and gazing straight ahead with determined eyes. The background shows a starry sky and vibrantly colored flowers, hinting at the beginning of the story.
Shingo Natsume's First Original Theatrical Anime "ghost (Working Title)" Announced!
Shingo Natsume is renowned for directing numerous anime series including "One Punch Man," "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.," "Sonny Boy," and "The Tatami Time Machine Blues." His unique artistic vision, showcased in his first original TV anime "Sonny Boy," garnered widespread acclaim and established him as a distinctive voice in animation.
The recognition for Natsume's work extends beyond Japan, with "Sonny Boy" earning a nomination in the TV competition category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world's largest animation festival. Now, with "ghost (working title)," Natsume is poised to make his much-anticipated debut in original feature-length theatrical animation.
The animation production will be handled by Madhouse, the legendary studio behind beloved classics such as Satoshi Kon's "Millennium Actress" and "Paprika," as well as Mamoru Hosoda's "Summer Wars." Madhouse has long collaborated with Natsume and continues to produce works that captivate audiences worldwide.
Adding to the project's star power, manga artist Natsume Ono will provide the original character designs, while Norifumi Kugai will adapt them for animation. This reunites the team from the TV anime "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.," bringing together a formidable crew currently hard at work on the production.
Natsume expresses his vision for the film, stating, "Through the medium of animation, which can be seen as a form of fiction, I aim to create a work that captures the essence of our times while pursuing a sense of reality."
The story revolves around the concept of a "ghost" that resides within everyone's heart - genuine feelings that can't be put into words but are undeniably present. The film follows Nike, a young girl who rebels against the world's absurdities to protect the "starry sky." It promises to be a challenging work that poetically depicts Nike's loneliness, bravery, and the subtle changes in her heart as she interacts with others.
Currently in production with a team of resonant creators, the film is slated for theatrical release in 2027.
The film's production announcement visual will be displayed as a poster from June 10th at the Japan Annex booth (hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / Visual Industry Promotion Organization) at the ongoing Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. A pitch session for the work is also scheduled. Stay tuned for more updates on this globally anticipated project!
Director's Profile
Shingo Natsume
Shingo Natsume made his TV series directorial debut with "Space☆Dandy" (2014) and has since helmed several notable works, including "One-Punch Man" (2015), "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept." (2017), and "Boogiepop and Others" (2019). In 2021, he took on multiple roles as director, scriptwriter, creator, and storyboard artist for the original TV anime "Sonny Boy," which garnered attention from global audience for its unique worldview.
Natsume participated as episode director in "The Tatami Galaxy" (2010), directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by Madhouse. He was then chosen to direct the theatrical sequel, "The Tatami Time Machine Blues," released in 2022. "ghost (working title)" marks his first original feature-length anime film for theatrical release.
Original Theatrical Anime Film: "ghost" (Working Title)
Scheduled for Release in 2027
STAFF
Original Concept: Shingo Natsume, Tomohiro Suzuki, Bandai Namco Filmworks, MADHOUSE
Director & Screenplay: Shingo Natsume
Original Character Design: Natsume Ono
Character Design: Norifumi Kugai
Animation Production: MADHOUSE
(C)ghost production committee
