GKIDS Announces Exclusive Theatrical Debut of All You Need Is Kill Anime
GKIDS secures North American, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand rights, bringing incredible animated films to new audiences worldwide.
GKIDS Acquires Rights to Anime Adaptation of All You Need Is Kill
GKIDS announced on Wednesday that it has acquired the rights for the anime adaptation of All You Need Is Kill, a science fiction light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The rights cover multiple territories, including North America, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The company plans to screen the film in theaters.
About the Anime
The adaptation is a collaboration between Warner Bros. Japan and STUDIO4°C. Directed by Kenichiro Akimoto, known for CGI work on Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, the anime will depict the story from a different perspective than both the original novel and the Hollywood live-action film Edge of Tomorrow.
The cast includes:
- Ai Mikami as Rita, a character who has emotionally shut herself off.
- Natsuki Hanae as Keiji, who tries to avoid standing out with a constant smile.
Theme song:
- Performed by university student and singer-songwriter AKASAKI, who wrote the song "Tsuretette" specifically for this anime — her first anime theme.
Plot Summary
Set on a future Earth under alien siege by the Mimics, humanity fights back with powered armor suits. Keiji Kiriya, a new soldier, is killed in battle, only to find himself caught in a time loop. Through repeated deaths and lessons, he gradually learns to survive longer and develops a connection with an elite soldier named Rita Vrataski.
Background & Related Works
- The original novel by Sakurazaka was published by Shueisha in December 2004.
- Viz Media released an English version in 2009 as part of its Haikasoru imprint for sci-fi and fantasy.
- The story inspired a manga by artist Takeshi Obata and writer Ryōsuke Takeuchi, serialized in Shueisha’s Young Jump magazine from January to May 2014. A full-color graphic novel adaptation was also published by Viz Media in 2014.
- The novel spawned the 2014 Hollywood movie Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, which grossed over $370 million worldwide.
Festival & Screenings
The anime will be showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, running from June 8-14, where it will be screened alongside other works such as Mononoke.
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