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The Deer King U.K. Home Editions Are Now Available
posted on by Andrew Osmond
Anime Limited has Tweeted that its home editions of Masashi Ando's film The Deer King (Shika no Ō: Yuna to Yakusoku no Tabi) are now available. There is a Collectors Blu-ray/DVD edition (pictured), which includes a 16-page booklet with character art and information; two A3 replica posters; and an individually numbered and serialised art card. There are also standard Blu-ray and DVD editions of the film.
The Deer King tells the story of Van, a former commander who defended his land against an invading empire. However, Van is taken as a slave and thrown into a salt mine. A pack of strange dogs attacks the salt mine, and a mysterious illness breaks out. During the attack, Van takes the opportunity to escape, and he meets a young girl. Rumours spread that only immigrants are coming down with this mysterious illness. The medical scientist Hossal risks his life to search for a cure.
Masashi Ando (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, your name. character design; Tokyo Godfathers, Paranoia Agent, When Marnie Was There, your name. animation director) directed the film alongside Masayuki Miyaji (Xam'd: Lost Memories, Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress) at Production I.G. Ando also drew the character designs, and was the chief animation director. Taku Kishimoto (Haikyu!!, ERASED, Fruits Basket) penned the script. Harumi Fuuki (Forest of Piano series, Miss Hokusai, Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna) composed the music. Singer-songwriter milet created the theme song "One Reason" for the film.
The film opened in Japan in February 2022. The film was delayed from a September 2020 opening due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and delayed again from September 2021. It was released in UK cinemas in July 2022.
The novels won the Japan Booksellers' Award and won the fourth "Japan Medical Novel Award" in 2015.
