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Aniplex USA to Release Natsume's Book of Friends Film on Blu-ray Disc in November
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Aniplex of America announced on Thursday that it will release the Natsume Yujin-cho the Movie: Ephemeral Bond anime on Blu-ray Disc on November 26. The film's home video release will have English subtitles.
Aniplex of America screened the film at the Anime NYC convention last November. It describes the film:
The film finds Natsume, voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya (Monogatari series, Blue Exorcist) in an unlikely predicament when his trusted bodyguard, Nyanko-sensei, voiced by veteran voice actor Kazuhiko Ito (Naruto, Detective Conan), splits into three after eating some strange fruit. Throughout the film, Natsume encounters many fan-favorite characters that have appeared within the series' six seasons, including Shuichi natori, voiced by Akira Ishida (Gintama, Neon Genesis Evangelion), his familiar Hiiragi, voiced by Satsuki Yukino (Inuyasha, Monogatari series), and many yokais, who provide some truly laugh out loud moments as they attempt to help Natsume and Nyanko-sensei. The film also introduces an old acquaintance of Natsume's grandmother, Yorie Tsumura, voiced by the legendary voice actress Sumi Shimamoto, who is best known for her leading role in Nasuicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
The film topped the Japanese box office rankings in its opening weekend on September 29-30 last year, selling 117,473 tickets to earn 172,144,780 yen (about US$1.5 million). The film eventually earned 725,058,820 yen (about US$6.43 million).
The anime tells an original story based on Yuki Midorikawa's Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-Chō) manga.
Midorikawa supervised the film's original story. Animation studio Shuka returned from the television anime's fifth and sixth seasons to animate the film. Takahiro Ōmori again served as chief director, but Hideki Ito was the new director. Sadayuki Murai again handled series composition, Tatsuo Yamada returned for yōkai design, and Makoto Yoshimori again composed the music. Uru performed the film's theme song "remember."
Source: Press release
