THE JOURNEY

An Ambitious Cross-border Animation Collaboration

Venue(s): Walt 9, Toei Shibuya
Shibuya Toei: from July 16 (Fri), 2021
Language: Japanese voiceover with English subtitles
Official website: www.journey.toeiad.co.jp
Theater website: toeitheaters.com/theaters/shibuya/
Tariff: Check each theater site

Title: ジャーニー 太古アラビア半島での奇跡と戦いの物語 (Journey Taiko Arabia Hanto deno Kiseki to Tatakai no Monogatari)
Director: Kobun Shizno (静野孔文)
Duration: 110 min

The first feature-length animated film by Japan's Toei Animation and Saudi Arabian animation company Manga Productions arrives with a story set in the Arabian Peninsula 1,500 years ago.

The coproduction is a part of the international promotion of Saudi ideas and messages led by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, MiSK, which owns Manga Productions.

But its story is told in a way that anime fans everywhere can embrace. The Japanese dub features famous voice actors, including the Gundam series’ Toru Furuya, Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Kotono Mitsuishi, with Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazuya Nakai, Yuichi Nakamura and Takaya Kuroda.

The director, Kobun Shizuno, is famous for his work on the Detective Conan films, while the scriptwriter is a veteran of Pokémon, Atsuhiro Tomioka,  and Kaoru Wada, famous for his work in Ninja Scroll, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, Inuyasha and Ace Attorney, composed the music for the film.

The story concerns Aws Bin Jubair and his friends, who must confront invaders and carve out a future for themselves in the ancient Arabian Peninsula. The people of Mecca hope for a peaceful solution when the army of Abraha invades and tries to take over the trading city of Mecca. But they're angered by Abraha's cruelty and decide to confront the army.

Aws volunteers to fight with the Meccans. As a young lad, he had once tried to steal from Zubair, a potter, but when he reaches adulthood, he marries Zubair's daughter, Hind. Aws takes up a sword to atone for his past sins and to protect the peace for his family.

Shinjuku Wald 9

 

 

 

 

 

Shibuya Toei