Mai Mai Miracle
| Mai Mai Miracle | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sunao Katabuchi |
| Written by | Sunao Katabuchi (script) Nobuko Takagi (novel) |
| Starring | Mayuko Fukuda Nako Mizusawa Ei Morisako Manami Honjou Miyo Wakita |
| Cinematography | Yukihiro Masumoto |
| Edited by | Kashiko Kimura |
| Music by | Shusei Murai Minako "mooki" Obata |
| Distributed by |  Shochiku |
Release date | November 21, 2009 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Land | Japan |
| Sprache | Japanese |
| Box office |  US$75,529[1] |
Mai Mai Miracle (マイマイ新子と千年の魔法, Maimai Shinko to Sen-nen no Mahō, lit. Mai Mai Shinko and the Millennium-Old Magic) is a Japanese animated film based on Nobuko Takagi's novelization of her autobiography, Maimai Shinko. It was produced by the animation studio Madhouse, distributed by Shochiku, and directed by Sunao Katabuchi.
The film debuted at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland on August 15, 2009.[2] It was released in Japan on November 21.[3]
The movie's plot is partially based on research on Sei Shōnagon's The Pillow Book.
Plot
In the spring of 1955 in a small town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, a nine-year-old girl named Shinko Aoki discovers she has a family connection with a thousand-year-old province of legend, known as Suō. Joined by Kiiko Shimazu, a new student who has recently transferred to her school, they embark on a magical experience. In this same land, a girl called Nagiko Kiyohara had lived 1,000 years ago.[4]
Development
In Lille, France in November 2007 Katabuchi showed extracts of the film without naming it.[5] The film was announced by Madhouse at the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair as a new project of director Sunao Katabuchi.[6] While Katabuchi had served as a scriptwriter Hayao Miyazaki's Sherlock Hound, as an assistant director on Kiki's Delivery Service, and had directed his own film Princess Arete in 2001 at Studio 4°C, this was his first feature film since joining Madhouse. To create the film, he assembled his crew from Madhouse's staff animators and artists, as well as associates from Studio 4°C. Shigeto Tsuji, previously an assistant animation supervisor on Metropolis, designed the characters, while Kazutaka Ozaki and Studio 4°C artist Chie Uratani served as animation directors. Both had previously worked on Princess Arete with Katabuchi. Shinichi Uehara, a veteran background painter at Madhouse, acted as art director.[7]
Characters
- Shinko Aoki (Mayuko Fukuda)
- Kiiko Shimazu (Nako Mizusawa)
- Nagiko Kiyohara / Sei Shōnagon (Ei Morisako)
- Nagako Aoki (Manami Honjou)
- Kiyohara no Motosuke[8]
Release
Shochiku promoted the film online, aiming at international as well as domestic fans. A short English-subtitled trailer was posted on the studio's website in June.[9] Additionally, Avex Network also promoted the film through their YouTube channel. A 31-second trailer was released on August 28,[10] followed by a 100-second trailer on September 16.[11]
The film opened on the December 11–13 weekend in South Korea, where it debuted in 13th place and grossed the equivalent of US$61,370 on 39 screens.[12]
Reception
The film was nominated for the 4th Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Animated Feature Film.[13]
References
- ^ "South Korea Box Office: December 18–20, 2009". Box Office Mojo. 2010-01. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "62nd Film Festival Locarno - Films & Screening Schedule - Mai Mai Miracle". Film Festival Locarno. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ "Mai Mai Miracle Official Website". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-12. Template:Ja icon
- ^ "Houfu Nippou News". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-19. Template:Ja icon
- ^ "Rencontre-événement avec Sunao Katabuchi" (in French). Retrieved March 21, 2010.
- ^ "Madhouse Announces Latest Film from Black Lagoon's Katabuchi". Anime News Network. 2008=03-28. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "List of Works - マイマイ新子と千年の魔法". Madhouse. 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-21. Template:Ja icon
- ^ "Katabuchi's comment". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-26. Template:Ja icon
- ^ "Mai-Mai Miracle Film's English-Subbed Trailer Posted". Anime News Network. June 2, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
- ^ "Negima, Duel Masters, Penguin no Mondai, Mai Mai Promos". Anime News Network. September 2, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
- ^ "Mai Mai Miracle Film's 90-Second Trailer Streamed". Anime News Network. September 16, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
- ^ "South Korea Box Office: December 11–13, 2009". Box Office Mojo. 2010-01. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "The Awards Nominated Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Animated Feature Film". Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
