GKIDS Drops ‘Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood’ Trailer Ahead Of September Theatrical Release

GKIDS has released the English-subtitled trailer for cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood, the wartime drama from first-time feature director Yukimitsu Ina that will open in North American theaters on September 4 in both its original Japanese with English subtitles and a new English dub.

Based on Machiko Kyo’s acclaimed manga cocoon, it tells the story of San and Mayu, two students at an all-girls school whose peaceful island life is shattered by World War II. As fighting reaches their home, the girls are assigned to care for wounded soldiers in a military hospital concealed inside a cave, forcing them to confront the horrors of war while trying to preserve their friendship and humanity.

Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood marks the debut feature from Ina, whose previous credits include work on Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Star Wars: Visions episode “Tatooine Rhapsody.” The film is produced by animation studio Sasayuri, founded by former Studio Ghibli animator Hitomi Tateno (My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle).

Among the staff of veteran industry talent mixed in with up-and-coming artists are Akihiko Yamashita (Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron) and Shinji Otsuka (Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke), while Ina co-wrote the screenplay with Taku Kishimoto (Haikyu!!, SAKAMOTO DAYS).

Composer Kensuke Ushio (A Silent Voice, Chainsaw Man) provides the score, and theatrical screenings will include a special behind-the-scenes featurette exploring his creative process.