Posted in: Anime, Anime, Crunchyroll, Movies, TV | Tagged: anime, Aniplex of America, Crunchyroll, The Concierge, Trapezium

The Concierge, Trapezium: Crunchyroll Announces 2 New Anime Films

Crunchyroll unveiled two new anime films (The Concierge & Trapezium) opening in the US in September and in European theatres in the Autumn.

Crunchyroll announced the North American theatrical dates for two films – the fantastical anthropomorphic film The Concierge and Trapezium, a fresh, realistic take on Japan's idol-obsessed culture. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will distribute The Concierge on September 11 and Trapezium on September 18, both for one day only, in North America.

"The Concierge"

Akino is a trainee concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store, an unusual department store that caters exclusively to animals. Under the watchful eyes of the floor manager and senior concierges, Akino runs around to fulfill the wishes of customers with a myriad of needs and problems in her pursuit to become a full-fledged concierge.

The Concierge is directed by Yoshimi Itazu from production company PRODUCTION I.G (Ghost in the Shell, PSYCHO-PASS, HAIKYU!!). The main voice cast includes Natsumi Kawaida as Akino, Takeo Otsuka as Elulu, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Woolly.

The award-winning film made its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2023 and its North American Premiere in July 2023 at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film has also been selected and screened at several film festivals worldwide in 2023-2024.

"Trapezium"

Driven by an unwavering passion for becoming an idol, Yu Azuma, a young, ambitious first-year student at Joshu East High School, embarks on a journey to form an idol group.

To make her dream a reality, she recruits one girl from each of her region's four high schools (located to the north, east, south, and west) and soon finds her fellow group members.

Joining Yu is Ranko Kashima, a sophisticated second-year student at Holy Teneritas Southern Girls' Academy with a distinctive curly hairstyle and admiration for Ochofujin ("Madame Butterfly"); Kurumi Taiga, a student at West Tech Vocational High School, who wears cute, oversized jackets with long sleeves and dreams of winning the championship at a robotics competition; and, Mika Kamei, a student who also hails from Joshu North High School, is known for being a kind-hearted girl and for her dedication to volunteering.

With the help of Shinji Kudo, Yu's "collaborator" and confidante, these four young girls set off on the road to stardom. But the journey hides unexpected trials, rigorous demands,  setbacks, and pressures, threatening to undo all that Yu has worked so hard for.

Trapezium's original story comes from Kazumi Takayama's novel Trapezium  (Da Vinch / KADOKAWA) and was created into a screenplay by Yuko Kakihara. It is directed by Masahiro Shinohara and produced by Cloverworks. The main voice cast includes Asaki Yuikawa, Hina Youmiya,  Reina Ueda, and Haruka Aikawa.

The Concierge will also be distributed in Italy on September 23, Germany on September 24, Australia on September 26, and Spain on September 27. Trapezium, which has been acquired by Crunchyroll, will be released in France on November 19 and Germany on November 26. Both films are set to be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment in the above-mentioned territories and will be streaming on the service after their theatrical runs.

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