NiNoKuni
![]() | This film's plot summarymay betoo long or excessively detailed.(October 2021) |
NiNoKuni | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Kanji | Nhị ノ quốc |
Directed by | Yoshiyuki Momose |
Screenplay by | Akihiro Hino |
Story by | Akihiro Hino |
Based on | Ni no Kuni by Akihiro Hino ofLevel-5 |
Produced by | Tsukasa Koitabashi |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Ryo Kurei |
Edited by | Hitoshi Nogawa |
Music by | Joe Hisaishi |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures Japan |
Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes[1] |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Box office | $2 million[2] |
NiNoKuni[a]is a 2019Japanese animatedactionfantasy filmdirected byYoshiyuki Momosebased on thevideo game series of the same namedeveloped byAkihiro HinoatLevel-5,whom also wrote and executive produced the film. Produced byOLMand distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures,the story of the film takes place centuries after the events ofNi no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom,as it centers on two boys named Yū and Haru saving their friend Kotona from danger through Evermore's princess, Astrid. The film stars the voices ofKento Yamazaki,Mackenyu Arata,Mei Nagano,Maaya Sakamoto,Mamoru Miyano,Yuki KajiandKenjiro Tsuda.It was released in Japan on August 23, 2019.[3]
Netflixacquired the streaming rights for the film, and it premiered worldwide on January 16, 2020.[4]
Plot
[edit]On their way home from basketball practice, Kotona invites Haru and Yū to a crêpe café, but Yū, who uses a wheelchair, returns home after they encounter steps on the way. Later in a back alley, Kotona notices that she is being tailed by a black hooded figure. Kotona contacts Yū, who arrives too late as the figure stabs her. Haru arrives and tries to get Kotona to the hospital, but both him and Yū are suddenly transported to an unknown world, which later is revealed to be the kingdom of Evermore.
In Evermore Castle, the boys meet Princess Astrid, who is remarkably similar to Kotona and who is also wounded with a curse. Yū, who notices the shadow knife placed on Astrid's stomach, pulls it out and breaks the curse. That night, Haru drinks away, as he believes this to be a dream, while Yū visits Astrid again, who takes him to the Lake of Purity to dance away the remains of the curse. The next morning, Yū and Haru are summoned by the mage Gnauss and King Astrum, who make them engage in swordplay against multiple men in order to find out if they were sent by a group known as Black Banner. Yū and Haru jump towards the flame behind the king, and are transported back to their world, where they reunite with Kotona.
A few days later, with Haru still believing it was all a dream, Yū tries to find an old man he met at the hospital during his childhood, but a nurse tells him he has disappeared. Kotona reveals she has a malignant tumor, and only has three months to live. Yū proposes returning to the other world, but Haru, in grief and anger, suggests killing Astrid to save Kotona. As the feud goes on, the same black hooded man transports the two to the other world.
Haru ends up in a dismal wasteland, and meets Galeroth, leader of the Black Banner, who makes Haru join his invasion of Evermore. Yū, on the other hand, ends up back in Evermore Castle's throne room, and tries to reason with the king. Gnauss appoints Yū as a defender, and makes him prove his innocence by killing Haru. As the invasion begins with Black Banner's army overwhelming Evermore's soldiers, Astrid proposes using the Mornstar, the sword of Evermore. However, Gnauss and the King reveal that the one in their possession is a counterfeit, while the real one disappeared long ago. The two boys briefly fight, but as they are about to kill each other, they are transported back to their own world again.
Back in their world, Saki, Yū's adopted sister, is confronted by the same black hooded man at her florist shop when the boys arrive and manage to save her. As they escape in her car, the man transforms into a gigantic spider and pursues them. As Saki reveals to the boys that the man called her name, Yū has an epiphany and realizes the culprit. As they manage to escape from the monster, the car is pulled into the river, with the boys transported back to the other world once again.
In the throne room, the boys confront Gnauss, who is the mastermind behind everything that has happened since Astrid's curse. Gnauss reveals that he is in fact Galeroth, and that he was once known as Crown Prince Sedulus Astrum. He has been plotting to take revenge on his father and the entire kingdom, and manipulates Haru through his armor, which Yū is able to stop with his magic. Galeroth takes Astrid hostage, and tries to kill her, only for Yū to shield the attack. As Astrid and Haru fight Galeroth, the old man[b]reappears before Yū, and gives him an old stick, which later is revealed as the legendary Mornstar. Both Yū and Haru slay Galeroth with the sword, defeating him and the Black Banner army for good. A portal appears before them; after a tearful farewell, Haru leaves through the portal, with Yū staying behind.
Back in Haru's world, both Kotona and Saki have recovered from their retrospective causes, but their memories of Yū fade. As the only one who remembers Yū, Haru realizes that Yū was his soulmate from the other world.
In apost-credits scene,Yū, with Astrid at his side, is crowned as the new king of Evermore.
Voice cast
[edit]Character | Japanese voice cast[3] | English voice cast |
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Yū | Kento Yamazaki | Max Mittelman |
Haru | Mackenyu Arata | Alejandro Saab |
Kotona/Princess Astrid | Mei Nagano | Abby Trott |
Saki/Bertha | Maaya Sakamoto | Erica Lindbeck |
Gnauss Wissden | Mamoru Miyano | Robbie Daymond |
Galeroth | Kenjiro Tsuda | Armen Taylor |
Barton | Kōichi Yamadera | Patrick Seitz |
Dandy | Yuki Kaji | Kyle McCarley |
King Astrum | Masatō Ibu | John Snyder |
Old man | Tsuyoshi Muro | John DeMita |
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]In February 2019,Warner Bros. Japanannounced at a press conference thatLevel-5was producing an anime film based onNi no Kuni.Yoshiyuki Momose,who provided various storyboards and key animations for many ofStudio Ghiblifilms, as well as serving as an animation director forDominion of the Dark Djinnand a character designer forRevenant Kingdom,was announced as the main director for the film withOLM, Inc.handling the animation production. Level-5'sAkihiro Hino,who created and wrote theNi no Kunivideo game series, served as an executive producer, story and screenwriter for the film.[5][6]
Casting
[edit]Kento Yamazakiwas the first cast member to be announced during the press conference.[5]Other cast members were revealed that same month, withMaaya Sakamotoas Saki/Bertha,Mamoru Miyanoas Gnauss,Kenjiro Tsudaas Galeroth,Kōichi Yamaderaas Barton, andYuki Kajias Dandy.[7]Mackenryu ArataandMei Naganowere cast as Haru and Kotona respectively.[8]Masatō Ibu and Toshiyoshi Muro were later cast as King Astrum and the Old Man.[3]
Music
[edit]Joe Hisaishireturned to score the music for the film, after composing the music forDominion of the Dark Djinn,Wrath of the White WitchandRevenant Kingdom.[5]The film's theme song is "MOIL", sung by Keina Suda.[9]
Release
[edit]The film was released in theaters in Japan on August 23, 2019.[3]Netflixreleased the film internationally on January 16, 2020.[4]
Reception
[edit]The film debuted at seventh place at the weekend box office, and dropped to tenth in its second week.[10]
Notes
[edit]- ^Japanese:Nhị ノ quốc,Hepburn:Ni no Kuni,lit."Second Country"
- ^Heavily implied to be Oliver, the protagonist fromDominion of the Dark Djinnand it enhanced remake,Wrath of the White Witch.
References
[edit]- ^"Nhị ノ quốc"[ "NiNoKuni" ].eiga(in Japanese).RetrievedAugust 23,2019.
- ^"Ni no Kuni (2019)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedFebruary 1,2020.
- ^abcdPineda, Rafael Antonio (May 23, 2019)."Ni no Kuni Film Reveals More Cast, August Opening Date".Anime News Network.RetrievedMay 23,2019.
- ^abSherman, Jennifer (December 13, 2019)."Netflix Adds Ni no Kuni Anime Film in the U.S. on January 16".Anime News Network.RetrievedDecember 13,2019.
- ^abcHodgkins, Crystalyn (February 9, 2019)."Warner Bros. Japan, Level-5 Reveals Ni no Kuni Anime Film for Summer 2019".Anime News Network.RetrievedFebruary 9,2019.
- ^"Kịch trường アニメ “Nhị ノ quốc” レベルファイブ ngày dã hoảng bác が chế tác tổng chỉ huy, diễn viên chính は sơn kỳ người tài ".Natalie Comic(in Japanese). February 9, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 9,2019.
- ^"Ánh họa “Nhị ノ quốc” thêm vào キャストに cung dã thật thủ, tân điền kiện thứ lang, bản nguồn gốc lăng, sơn chùa hoành một, vĩ dụ quý ".Natalie Comic(in Japanese). February 8, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 8,2019.
- ^"Nhị ノ quốc: Kịch trường bản アニメに tân điền thật kiếm hữu & vĩnh dã mầm úc が biểu diễn アニメ thanh ưu sơ chọn chiến".Mantan Web(in Japanese). June 11, 2019.RetrievedJune 11,2019.
- ^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 26, 2019)."Ni no Kuni Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song".Anime News Network.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 2, 2019)."Weathering with You Film Stays at #1, Konosuba Film Opens at #8".Anime News Network.RetrievedSeptember 2,2019.
External links
[edit]- Official movie site(in Japanese)
- NiNoKunionNetflix
- NiNoKuni(film) atAnime News Network's encyclopedia