Bonkers Anime Film “Penguin Highway” Heads to Japan Foundation Film Tour
Last year, the Glasgow-based distributor Anime Limited announced plans to release Studio Colorido’s whacky coming-of-age fantasy Penguin Highway in cinemas in early 2019, with the film receiving its premiere at 2018’s Scotland Loves Anime – where it took the top prize of the Jury Award, and was named the runner-up of the Audience Award!
With a Japanese home video release slated for 30th January 2019 and no mention of the wider release however, some readers have grown anxious as to whether they’ll have a chance to see the film The Telegraph describes as “a heart-warming, hormonal mix of Twin Peaks and Studio Ghibli”. Today, a post on Anime Limited’s blog has revealed a limited run of the film between February and March, courtesy of the Japan Foundation Film Touring Programme!
The current list of screenings, is as follows:
- 9th February – London ICA
- 10th February – Derby QUAD
- 21st February – Sheffield Showroom
- 23rd February – Belfast Queen’s Film Theatre
- 24th February – Leicester Phoenix
- 27th February – Dundee Contemporary Arts
- 9th March – Colchester Firstsite
- 14th March – Kendal Brewary Arts
- 23rd March – Nottingham Broadway
Anime Limited’s official synopsis for the film, is as follows:
“Aoyama is a serious 10 year-old boy who records all of his day-to-day experiences in his notebook. One day in May, penguins inexplicably appear in his home town, despite being located a long way from the sea. When Aoyama sees “Big Sis” – a young woman who works at a dentist’s office – drop a soft drink can which inexplicably turns into a penguin, he decides to investigate and resolve the mystery behind these strange events.
Together with his classmates, Aoyama happens upon a strange phenomena which is surely the key to these goings-on. Will their investigation bear fruit, and just how is “Big Sis” linked to these occurrences?”
Anime Limited have yet to comment on whether these touring screenings will be replacing plans for a wider UK & IRE theatrical release, but when we hear more, you’ll be able to read it at Anime UK News!