Fireworks Anime Film's U.s. Theatrical Release Dated For July

GKIDS announced on Wednesday that its U.S. theatrical release for the anime film Fireworks (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?) is slated for July 3, 5, and 7 as a Fathom Event. The film will also get a separate theatrical release starting on July 4.

Fireworks is the first of five GKIDS films that Fathom Events will screen in the United States in 2018 as part of a new deal between the companies. GKIDS and Fathom Events previously collaborated to premiere Mary and The Witch's Flower in January, and are screening the ongoing Studio Ghibli Fest 2018.

The Fireworks anime film adapts director Shunji Iwai's 1993 live-action drama of the same name, but adds modern elements. GKIDS describes the story:

Producer Genki Kawamura follows up his mega-hit your name.with another tale of star-crossed teenage lovers with a sci-fi fantasy twist. Shy Norimichi and fast-talking Yusuke, are goo-goo-eyed over the same elusive classmate, Nazuna. But Nazuna, unhappy over her mother's decision to remarry and leave their countryside town, plans to run away and has secretly chosen Norimichi to accompany her. When things don't go as planned, Norimichi discovers that a glowing multi-color ball found in the sea has the power to reset the clock and give them a second chance to be together. But each reset adds new complications and takes them farther and farther away from the real world - until they risk losing sight of reality altogether.

The film opened on August 18 in Japan, earning 170 million yen (about US$1.56 million) on its opening day. The film debuted at #3 in the Japanese box office. The film has earned a cumulative total of 1.6 billion yen (US$14,192,000) at the Japanese box office.

Hitoshi Ōne (live-action Bakuman., Moteki) worked with Iwai to write the film's script and Nobuyuki Takeuchi (key animator on Spirited Away, Penguindrum, Bakemonogatari) directed the film at studio SHAFT. Akiyuki Simbo(Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Nisekoi) served as chief director. Akio Watanabe (Nisemonogatari, Bakemonogatari) designed the characters, and Satoru Kousaki (Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Wandering Son) composed the music. Iwai is credited with the original work.

Makoto Fugetsu (Granblue Fantasy manga) launched a manga adaptation of the anime film last June. Yen Presshas licensed Iwai and Ōne's 2017 Fireworks novel.

The original 45-minute television drama premiered in Japan in August 1993 as part of the If: Moshimo series, and it won Iwai the New Directors Award from the Directors Guild of Japan that year. The film starred Megumi Okina and Yuta Yamazaki.