GKIDS Acquires U.S. Rights To ‘Tekkonkinkreet,’ Plans 4K Remaster Theatrical Run

GKIDS has picked up all North American rights to Michael Arias’s 2006 cult classic Tekkonkinkreet.

The film will return to U.S. theaters with a new 4K remaster on May 31 and June 1, screening in both its original Japanese and English dub versions, with a 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital release to follow later this year.

Animated by Studio4°C and based on Taiyo Matsumoto’s Eisner Award-winning manga, Tekkonkinkreet follows two orphaned street kids, Black and White, as they fight to protect their home of Treasure Town from real estate developers and yakuza. Arias’s directorial debut went on to win the 2008 Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year, the Ofuji Noburo Award at the 2006 Mainichi Film Awards, and the Golden Prize for Best Animated Film at Fantasia in 2007, among other major honors.

The release marks GKIDS’ third Studio4°C this year, following the January release of All You Need is Kill and last month’s romantic comedy ChaO. The two companies have previously partnered on Mind Game and Children of the Sea.

“Tekkonkinkreet has been one of my favorite anime films since it was first released over 15 years ago,” said GKIDS president David Jesteadt in a release. “The thrilling action scenes, heart-breaking and sensitive relationship between the two foster brothers, and extraordinary design and animation work have stood the test of time, and I’m excited that GKIDS can play a role in reintroducing the title to audiences old and new.”