With Aniplex Japan having just announced their home video plans for 2014 for the theatrical feature Anohana The Movie, Aniplex USA has stepped up to acquire the film for release in early 2014 in theaters through ELEVEN ARTS. While it doesn’t list it explicitly, it’s expected that they’ll bring out a home video release later. The movie is getting a subtitled only theatrical release with dates to be revealed late and thoes tht attend will get the “Letters from Menma” replica while supplies last at participating locations.
“I am very happy to be able to bring such a beautiful film to the fans in the U.S.,” said Hideki Goto, President of Aniplex of America, “so many people in Japan, not just anime fans, have loved this movie and cried because they were so moved. This movie succeeds in making its viewers remember something from their childhood and feel nostalgic. I think fans in the U.S. will need to bring a box of tissues with them when they come to the screenings.”
Plot concept: She suddenly appeared before us one day… 6 of us…friends…we were always together. During those days, I believed that I can do anything. I believed that I wasn’t afraid of anything. But, then it happened. I just said it without really thinking about it. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’ll just tell her sorry tomorrow, that’s what I thought.
But… That “tomorrow” never came.
So, time passed by and then one summer day, a miracle happened.
Because of an accident during their childhood, 6 friends’ hearts were closed shut, and they grew apart from one another.
One summer day, their friend who passed away in the accident appears before them.
But, she cannot remember the reason why she came back.
The friends meet once more to figure out just what her “reason” was.
Time that stood still begins to slowly move once more…
Why did she come back?
It was one summer miracle she wished for…
You can meet her if you’re facing forward.