Magic Tree House (film)
Encyclopedia
is a 2011 Japanese anime
drama film based on the English children fantasy series of the same name. The film is directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, and the film's screenplay was adapted from the Japanese version of the novel series Magic Tree House by Ichiro Okouchi. The film stars actress Keiko Kitagawa
as Jack, and also stars child actress Mana Ashida as Annie.
Magic Tree House debuted at the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival
on 23 October 2011. It will subsequently be released in Japanese cinemas on 7 January 2012.
that the English children fantasy series Magic Tree House will be adapted into a anime
film on November 2010. Subsequently, in the 6 March 2011 issue of the Asahi Shimbun
newspaper, an advertisement announced that the film will be released in Japanese cinemas in 2012. This children fantasy series sold more than 3.3 million copies in Japan, and 92 million copies in 33 different countries worldwide. This is the first animated film adaptation of the fantasy series.
A press conference that was held on 9 July 2011 by Gaga Communications, a Japanese film distributor, announced that the film will be released in Japan on 7 January 2012. The film is based on the Japanese version of the franchise that was illustrated by Ayana Amako, and the screenplay is adapted by screenwriter Ichiro Ookochi. Art director Toshiharu Mizutani, whose previous works includes the anime films Piano no Mori
(2007) and Akira
(1988), will be in charge of the art in this film. The music in this film will be composed by Akira Senju
, who had previously composed theme songs for the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series.
will voice Jack, while child actress Mana Ashida
will be the voice of Annie, Jack's sister. This will be Kitagawa's first voice acting role, though she had previously starred as the lead character in other films like Paradise Kiss
(2011) and Hana no Ato (2010). Kitagawa described this role as "challenging", and she added that she "wanted to express the freshness of the voice of [Jack] as much as possible.". Mana Ashida, a avid reader who is a big fan of the original book series, said that she was "highly motivated" to play the role of Annie in this film. She said that she "enjoyed the adventure as much as Annie", to the extent that she felt that "she was flying into the book to be with Annie.". Mana Ashida has previously had voiced Agnes in the Japanese version of the 2010 film Despicable Me
.
Ashida and Kitagawa had previously worked together in the 2011 television drama special Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni that was aired on 5 August 2011 on the Nippon Television
network. Kitagawa described Ashida as "a professional child actress", while Ashida said that "Kitagwa-san is very kind and friendly".
on 23 October 2011. It was featured as one of the festival's special screenings. The film will then be released in Japanese cinemas on 7 January 2012, and will also be featured at a release ceremony at Shinjuku Piccadilly that day.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
drama film based on the English children fantasy series of the same name. The film is directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, and the film's screenplay was adapted from the Japanese version of the novel series Magic Tree House by Ichiro Okouchi. The film stars actress Keiko Kitagawa
Keiko Kitagawa
is a Japanese actress and former model. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid 2006, and left modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon , and after her role...
as Jack, and also stars child actress Mana Ashida as Annie.
Magic Tree House debuted at the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival
Tokyo International Film Festival
Tokyo International Film Festival is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biannually from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter...
on 23 October 2011. It will subsequently be released in Japanese cinemas on 7 January 2012.
Plot
Jack likes to read books and is a shy but confident person. His sister, Annie, on the other hand, makes friends quickly with both humans and animals. One day, while they were playing together in a forest, they unexpectedly stumble upon a magical ride in a wooden hut located in this forest. This magical ride allows people to travel across time and space whenever they liked.Cast
- Keiko KitagawaKeiko Kitagawais a Japanese actress and former model. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid 2006, and left modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon , and after her role...
as Jack - Mana AshidaMana Ashidais a Japanese child actress, Tarento and singer from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. She is currently represented by JobbyKids.Mana Ashida first acted Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Short Movie 2, though she rose to prominence only after she starred in the popular television drama Mother...
as Annie, Jack's sister - Miki MayaMiki Mayais a Japanese actress, and also a former top star of the Takarazuka Revue. Her real name is . During her childhood, she lived in several different cities because of her father's job. It was Toyonaka, Osaka, where she had spent most of her teen years before she joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1981...
as Moonface
Development
It was revealed by publisher Media FactoryMedia Factory
is a Japanese publisher. It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd...
that the English children fantasy series Magic Tree House will be adapted into a anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
film on November 2010. Subsequently, in the 6 March 2011 issue of the Asahi Shimbun
Asahi Shimbun
The is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
newspaper, an advertisement announced that the film will be released in Japanese cinemas in 2012. This children fantasy series sold more than 3.3 million copies in Japan, and 92 million copies in 33 different countries worldwide. This is the first animated film adaptation of the fantasy series.
A press conference that was held on 9 July 2011 by Gaga Communications, a Japanese film distributor, announced that the film will be released in Japan on 7 January 2012. The film is based on the Japanese version of the franchise that was illustrated by Ayana Amako, and the screenplay is adapted by screenwriter Ichiro Ookochi. Art director Toshiharu Mizutani, whose previous works includes the anime films Piano no Mori
Piano no Mori
is an ongoing manga by Makoto Isshiki, about Shuhei Amamiya, who transfers to Moriwaki Elementary filled with hope and ambition about his new life...
(2007) and Akira
Akira (film)
is a 1988 Japanese animated cyberpunk science fiction film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, written by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto, and starring the voices of Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama and Taro Ishida. The screenplay is based on Otomo's manga Akira....
(1988), will be in charge of the art in this film. The music in this film will be composed by Akira Senju
Akira Senju
is a Japanese composer, arranger and conductor. Composition credits include Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Yomigaeri, Fūrin Kazan , Nada Sōsō , Rampo and the soundtrack of Red Garden. Arrangement credits include Hikari. Performance credits include Handsome...
, who had previously composed theme songs for the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series.
Casting
The voice cast for the film Magic Tree House was announced on 8 August 2011. Actress Keiko KitagawaKeiko Kitagawa
is a Japanese actress and former model. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid 2006, and left modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon , and after her role...
will voice Jack, while child actress Mana Ashida
Mana Ashida
is a Japanese child actress, Tarento and singer from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. She is currently represented by JobbyKids.Mana Ashida first acted Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Short Movie 2, though she rose to prominence only after she starred in the popular television drama Mother...
will be the voice of Annie, Jack's sister. This will be Kitagawa's first voice acting role, though she had previously starred as the lead character in other films like Paradise Kiss
Paradise Kiss (film)
is a 2011 Japanese film based on the manga of the same name. The film is directed by Takehiko Shinjo, and it stars actors Keiko Kitagawa, Osamu Mukai, Yusuke Yamamoto.-Cast:* Keiko Kitagawa as Yukari 'Caroline' Hayasaka* Osamu Mukai as Jouji 'George' Koizumi...
(2011) and Hana no Ato (2010). Kitagawa described this role as "challenging", and she added that she "wanted to express the freshness of the voice of [Jack] as much as possible.". Mana Ashida, a avid reader who is a big fan of the original book series, said that she was "highly motivated" to play the role of Annie in this film. She said that she "enjoyed the adventure as much as Annie", to the extent that she felt that "she was flying into the book to be with Annie.". Mana Ashida has previously had voiced Agnes in the Japanese version of the 2010 film Despicable Me
Despicable Me
Despicable Me is a 2010 American computer-animated 3D comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the United States. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and...
.
Ashida and Kitagawa had previously worked together in the 2011 television drama special Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni that was aired on 5 August 2011 on the Nippon Television
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
network. Kitagawa described Ashida as "a professional child actress", while Ashida said that "Kitagwa-san is very kind and friendly".
Release
Magic Tree House made its debut at the 24th Tokyo International Film FestivalTokyo International Film Festival
Tokyo International Film Festival is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biannually from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter...
on 23 October 2011. It was featured as one of the festival's special screenings. The film will then be released in Japanese cinemas on 7 January 2012, and will also be featured at a release ceremony at Shinjuku Piccadilly that day.