Five classic anime films, including the long-absent Cowboy Bebop movie, are returning to US theaters, many for the first time in ages. The films include three beloved classics from the late genius Satoshi Kon as well as two other staples of anime fandom in the lates '90s and 2000s.
Iconic Events Releasing is partnered with Anime Expo to bring "AX Cinema Nights," a year-round celebration of anime films, to theaters across the country, featuring a number of well-respected anime films. Among these are three films from celebrated director Satoshi Kon: Perfect Blue, Paprika, and Tokyo Godfathers, along with Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and the original Ghost in the Shell film. The films will be screened at events starting in September 2023 and running through February 2024, allowing fans to see these films as they were meant to be seen for the first time in decades, for some of them.
Anime Classics Finally Return to the Silver Screen
The first event for Perfect Blue's 25th anniversary is set to debut on September 6 and 7, in both sub and dub form, with an encore of both versions on September 10. Next is Ghost in the Shell on November 8 and 9, with an encore on November 12. Following that is Tokyo Godfathers for its 20th anniversary on December 11 and 12, with encores on December 13. In 2024, screenings resume with Cowboy Bebop on January 21 and 22, with encore screenings on January 23, and Paprika on February 7 and 8, with encore screenings on February 11. For all screenings, subs will be shown on the first day, and dubs on the second.
The news of these films returning to theaters is bound to be exciting for fans. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie isn't currently available on any streaming service, and hasn't been released on Blu-ray in over 10 years, making copies somewhat hard to find. Ghost in the Shell is obviously a seminal cyberpunk work, as well as an incredible movie in its own right. Perfect Blue and Paprika are both mind-bending psychological thrillers, said to have been influential on some major Hollywood movies like Black Swan and Inception, respectively, while Tokyo Godfathers represents the legendary director's shot at making a comedy.
Screenings are set to take place at over 300 theaters across the country, meaning that it shouldn't be too hard for fans to find a theater playing the films near them. The option to choose between subbed and dubbed screenings is always welcome for fans who frequently debate the issue of which is superior. Fans of Cowboy Bebop should definitely seize upon this opportunity to see the rare film in theaters, and those who love anime but aren't familiar with these films are sure to find some new favorites.
