The Movie that Moved the Hearts of Millions in Japan to Play U.S. Theaters January 2014 Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: anohana.jp (Japan), aniplexusa.com/anohanamovie (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki On their Live Show last Friday, Aniplex of America announced their plans of bringing the heart-warming tale of ANOHANA THE MOVIE: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY (????????????????????, Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai., 2013) to U.S. theaters next January. The movie will be presented with English subtitles and will be distributed by ELEVEN ARTS in select theaters. Details on theater listings and screening dates will be announced at a later date. Aniplex of America has also announced that those who attend the showings will receive an exclusive item called “Letters from Menma” featuring a replica of the letters which “Menma” wrote to her friends in the film along with some flower seeds the viewer can plant. These items will be available in limited quantity and will be available while supplies last. ANOHANA THE MOVIE is an adaptation of the anime series with the same title. It depicts a tale of 5 childhood friends who have drifted apart from one another following the death of their mutual friend, Meiko “Menma” Honma. These friends come together once again when “Menma” appears before one of them as a ghost and tells him that she cannot pass on to the afterlife unless she is granted one last wish. Brought by the highly acclaimed studio A-1 Pictures (SWORD ART ONLINE, MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC, OREIMO 2), ANOHANA THE MOVIE moved the hearts of 3 million viewers all across Japan when it was released in theaters this past August and topped 1 billion yen (roughly US $10 million) after 2 months. “I am very happy to be able to bring such a beautiful film to the fans in the U.S.,” said Hideki Goto, President of Aniplex of America, “so many people in Japan, not just anime fans, have loved this movie and cried because they were so moved. This movie succeeds in making its viewers remember something from their childhood and feel nostalgic. I think fans in the U.S. will need to bring a box of tissues with them when they come to the screenings.” Are your “friends” from back then, still your “friends” now? This is a story of one summer miracle. Due to a tragic accident during their childhood that took the life of one of their friends, 5 friends grew apart from one another. One summer day “Menma,” their friend who passed away, appears before them. She tells them that she must have a wish granted in order to pass on to the afterlife. But, she cannot remember what that wish is. The friends meet once more to figure out how to help “Menma.” Time that stood still begins to slowly move once more... why did “Menma” come back?

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About Aniplex of America Inc.

Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and a leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. Aniplex of America has launched fan-favorite Blu-ray and DVD releases such as BAKEMONOGATARI, DURARARA!!, FATE/ZERO, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA, THE GARDEN OF SINNERS, SWORD ART ONLINE, BLUE EXORCIST and BLAST OF TEMPEST. The company`s ever-growing line-up of shows includes our most recent titles KILL LA KILL, MONOGATARU SERIES SECOND SEASON, DAY BREAK ILLUSION, SERVANT x SERVICE, SILVER SPOON, MAGI: THE KINGDOM OF MAGIC, ORESHURA, OREIMO 2, VALVRAVE THE LIBERATOR, VIVIDRED OPERATION and SAMURAI FLAMENCO.

About Eleven Arts

ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animation, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner MEMORIES OF TOMORROW (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI in 2004) Yoji Yamada’s samurai film LOVE AND HONOR. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular animation titles such as the EVANGELION franchise, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS, and PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA THE MOVIE PART 1: BEGINNINGS/ PART 2: ETERNAL/ PART 3: REBELLION.