GKIDS announced on Monday that it would be collaborating with Shout! Factory to release the film Giovanni’s Island on Blu-ray and digitally on February 21, 2023.
The film, which was originally released in 2014, is produced by Production I.G and directed by Mizuho Nishikubo, with a screenplay by Shigemichi Sugita and Yoshiki Sakurai. Following its release, Giovanni’s Island won the Jury Distinction prize at the 38th Annecy International Animated Film Festival, as well as Best Animated Film at the 69th annual Mainichi Film Awards in 2015.
Check out a trailer for Giovanni’s Island below:
“Brothers Junpei and Kanta live in Shikotan, a tiny fishing island that has been spared from the devastations of World War II,” reads the official synopsis for the film. “The two children are named after Giovanni and Campanella from their late mother’s favorite book, Night on the Galactic Railroad, which becomes a source of solace in the aftermath of Japan’s defeat. When Soviet forces arrive with their families to settle in the island, Junpei meets Tanya, the daughter of the commander. Despite their language barrier and growing tension, the children soon form an unlikely friendship.”
Giovanni’s Island will be available digitally and on Blu-ray on February 21, 2023.