Fantasia Film Fest Premieres North American Debut of All You Need Is Kill Anime
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Exciting Anime Premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal will host the 29th annual Fantasia International Film Festival from July 16 to August 3, 2025. This year, a highly anticipated anime makes its North American debut: All You Need Is Kill, based on the popular science fiction light novel.
A Sci-Fi Story of Time and War
Originally written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and published by Shueisha in December 2004, All You Need Is Kill is set in a future Earth under attack by alien invaders called Mimics. Humanity fights back with powered armor suits, but the war seems unwinnable.
The story follows Keiji Kiriya, a new soldier who dies in his first battle. However, he finds himself caught in a mysterious time loop, repeatedly dying and learning from his mistakes. As he fights to survive longer, he becomes drawn to an elite soldier named Rita Vrataski.
A New Perspective: Anime from Rita's Viewpoint
Unlike the novel and Hollywood's Edge of Tomorrow film, the anime adaptation tells the story from Rita's perspective. This fresh viewpoint offers fans a new way to experience the gripping tale.
Star-Studded Voice Cast
The anime features a talented cast:
- Ai Mikami as Rita, a character with emotional walls she’s built to protect herself.
- Natsuki Hanae as Keiji, who hides behind a smile to blend in.
- Kana Hanazawa as Shasta, a brilliant graduate student immersed in research.
- hiccorohee as Raychell, a volunteer team member concerned about Rita.
- mo-junior high school as Yonaval, a lively volunteer who teases Rita but cares deeply.
Creative Team and Music
Directed by Kenichiro Akimoto, known for Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, the anime is produced by STUDIO4°C. The theme song, "Tsuretette", is performed by university student and singer-songwriter AKASAKI, who wrote the song specifically for this project — her first anime theme.
Distribution and Screenings
- GKIDS has acquired the anime for multiple territories, including North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It will be screened in theaters.
- The anime was also showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France this June.
Background and Legacy
The original novel was published by Shueisha and later translated into English by Viz Media as part of its Haikasoru imprint in 2009. The story inspired a manga adaptation by Takeshi Obata (Hikaru no Go, Death Note) and writer Ryōsuke Takeuchi, serialized in Young Jump in 2014.
A full-color graphic novel adaptation was released by Viz in 2014, with art by Lee Ferguson and story adaptation by Nick Mamatas.
The novel also served as the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow (2014), starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, which grossed over $370 million worldwide.
Stay Tuned!
Keep an eye out for the North American premiere of All You Need Is Kill at Fantasia, and enjoy this exciting addition to the sci-fi anime genre!
Sources: Warner Bros. Japan's panel at Anime Expo, official press releases.
ANN's coverage of Anime Expo 2025 is sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press!