Rare Ghibli Film Gets a US Theatrical Release

One of the rarest Studio Ghibli projects, Ocean Waves, is making its way to the United States and Canada for a series of theatrical releases. An American film distributor, GKIDS, has been working closely with the much beloved Studio Ghibli to work out a short run of theatrical releases for the film in 2017.

The rare Ghibli project was originally released in 1993 and was originally released as a television series. The story focuses on two high school best friends, Yutaka and Taku, in their senior year. Everything is perfect until a transfer student from Tokyo, Rikako, arrives. As they both start to fall for Rikako, rumors spread, and trouble arises. Unlike most of Ghibli’s works, this treasure was directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, known for his work on Ranma 1/2. 

The limited run of Mochizuki’s Ocean Waves begins in a few weeks in New York City. From there, the film will be released in cities all over the US and Canada for the next few months. GKIDS has set up a release schedule, and we have it posted below!

DEC. 28

New York, NY — IFC Center

JAN. 3

Toronto, ON — TIFF

JAN. 6

Albuquerque, NM — Guild Cinema

JAN. 7

Fort Lauderdale, FL — TBD

JAN. 9

Kansas City, MO — Screenland Armour

JAN. 11

Portland, OR — OMSI Empirical Theater

JAN. 12

Los Angeles, CA — American Cinematheque

JAN. 13

Chicago, IL — Gene Siskel Film Center

Denver, CO — Denver Film Society

Santa Ana, CA — The Frida Cinema

Tempe, AZ — Harkins Valley Art

Waterloo, ON — Princess Cinema

Atlanta, GA — Plaza Theatre

JAN. 16

San Francisco, CA — Roxie Theatre

JAN. 17

Fairfax, VA — Angelika Mosaic

Washington, DC — Angelika Pop-Up

Dallas, TX — Angelika Dallas

Plano, TX — Angelika Plano

San Diego, CA — Angelika Carmel

Honolulu, HI — Consolidated Theatres Kahalas

JAN. 20

Pittsburgh, PA — Row House Cinema

Vancouver, BC — Vancity Theatre

FEB. 9

Columbus, OH — Gateway Film Center

FEB. 23

Cleveland, OH — Cleveland Cinematheque

MARCH 10

Port Orchard, WA — Dragonfly Cinema