Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

★★★★ “An impressive debut full of empathy”

The Japan Times
Out on:Theatrical 11th Aug. 2021

Anime Limited to release heartwarming tale about finding ourselves and each other through adversity.

“A beautifully animated film about the struggles of the physically-disabled and the mindset needed to obtain your dreams” Anime News Network

We’ve all been told to follow our dreams at some point, but that can be easier said than done when the world deals us a bad hand. However, we can learn to understand and inspire each other with Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, a heartwarming anime take on the classic short story by award-winning author Seiko Tanabe, which Anime Limited is delighted to announce they are bringing exclusively to selected cinemas in the UK & Ireland from 11th August 2021.

Insisting on being called “Josee”, a character from her favourite book, Kumiko Yamamura is stubborn, unruly, and not even her thick Osakan accent can hide the sharpness of her tongue. However, she’s also trapped in a home ill-prepared for her disabilities and hidden away from a world she’s been told is full of hostile “tigers”. When she literally falls into the arms of aspirational college student Tsuneo Suzukawa, however, the two start to see the world and what they want from it in a whole new light in this uplifting romance that’s a refreshing change of pace for a studio mostly known for action anime like the UK box office smash-hit My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising.

Whilst the 1984 short story by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Seiko Tanabe is no stranger to being adapted for the big screen, this new interpretation by first-time feature director Kotaru Tamura makes the case for animation by fully utilising the medium’s creative power and freedom to bring Josee’s vivid imagination to life like never before as we picture her swimming through the vast open seas with schools of tropical fish as a majestic mermaid. Even in the film’s reality, the visual expressiveness that many have come to love from anime allows us to feel every excited smile, frustrated tear, and embarrassed blush on Josee’s face, bringing us closer to one of the more feisty and fun anime heroines in recent years.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish has made a splash around the world, with it being selected to close the 25th Busan International Film Festival, and screening in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Back home in Japan, the film also earned nominations at both the 75th Mainichi Film Awards and the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize.

SYNOPSIS

With dreams of diving abroad, Tsuneo gets a job assisting Josee, an artist whose imagination takes her far beyond her wheelchair. But when the tide turns against them, they push each other to places they never thought possible, and inspire a love fit for a storybook.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish will be released in selected cinemas across the UK/IRE from 11th August 2021.

For tickets and screening information, please visit wwwJoseeFilm.co.uk

ABOUT ANIME LIMITED

Based out of Glasgow in Scotland, Anime Limited brings a fresh approach to delivering the best of anime direct from Japan. As an independent company, their emphasis is on breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing new theatrical favourites like A Silent Voice, the Academy Award nominated Mirai, and Weathering with You. With a focus on bringing more anime to the big screen, beautifully packaged home video collector’s editions and new ways to reach fans digitally, Anime Limited is committed to offering a wide range of experiences for UK audiences.

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RELEASE INFORMATION

Distributor
Anime Ltd
In Cinemas
11th August, 2021
Release date
11th August, 2021

KEY TALENT INFORMATION

Director
Kotaru Tamura

CONTACT / ORDER MEDIA