The feature follows Kokoro as she is transported, along with six other students, inside an enchanting castle and invited to play a mysterious game; coming to select U.S. theaters June 21 and 22.
GKIDS has announced the English-language voice cast for Lonely Castle in the Mirror. This latest film from critically acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (Miss Hokusai, Colorful, The Wonderland), with animation from A-1 Pictures, tells a heartfelt story about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together. GKIDS will bring the film to select U.S. theaters for event showings on June 21 and 22 only, with tickets now on sale at LonelyCastleMovie.com.
The English voice cast includes Micah Lin as Kokoro Anzai; Huxley Westemeier as Rion; Giselle Fernandez as Aki; Kieran Regan as Subaru; Zoe Glick as Fuka; Adrian Marrero as Masamune; Riley Webb as Ureshino; and Vivienne Rutherford as Wolf Queen.
Based on Mizuki Tsujimura’s novel of the same name, the film follows shy, outcast Kokoro on the adventure she embarks upon when she finds a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through, transporting to an enchanting castle to find six other students already there. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have must now play a game, the teens work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, a wolf will eat anyone who breaks the rules.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror held its international premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, marking the first selection of a Japanese animated feature for the festival, and additionally had its U.S. premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, the film achieved box office success during its domestic release in Japan in December 2022, grossing over one billion yen (approx. 7.3 million USD).
Hara worked with various past collaborators on the project, including screenwriter Miho Maruo (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland), composer Harumi Fuuki (Miss Hokusai, The Wonderland), as well as acclaimed artist Ilya Kuvshinov (The Wonderland) for visual concept and castle designs.
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
