GKIDS Sets Two-Night Theatrical Run for Tekkonkinkreet 4K Remaster
The remaster gives Tekkonkinkreet its first wide U.S. theatrical footprint two decades after its debut, at a moment when GKIDS and STUDIO4°C are releasing three of the studio's films in a single year.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, GKIDS.
GKIDS will screen a new 4K remaster of the 2006 anime film Tekkonkinkreet in North American theaters on May 31 and June 1. The two-night event marks the 20th anniversary of the feature, which was directed by Michael Arias and animated by STUDIO4°C. It is the first nationwide U.S. theatrical release for the title. Tickets are on sale now. The screenings will offer both the original Japanese language track and the English dub. A 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital download release will follow later in the year, though no date was given. The film adapts the Eisner Award-winning manga by Taiyo Matsumoto. It won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year in 2008 and the Ofuji Noburo Award at the 2006 Mainichi Film Awards, among other honors. The remaster continues an active period between GKIDS and STUDIO4°C. The distributor released the studio's All You Need is Kill in January and will release ChaO on April 10. Previous collaborations include Mind Game and Children of the Sea.
The new 4K remaster is the third STUDIO4°C title GKIDS has handled in 2025. The distributor released the sci-fi drama All You Need is Kill in January and will open the romantic comedy ChaO on April 10. GKIDS and the studio previously collaborated on Mind Game and Children of the Sea.
GKIDS President David Jesteadt said the film "has been one of my favorite anime films since it was first released over 15 years ago." He added, "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."
The film's awards history extends beyond the Japan Academy Film Prize and the Ofuji Noburo Award. It also won Best Original Story and Best Art Direction at the 2008 Tokyo Anime Awards, and the Golden Prize for Best Animated / Stop Motion Film at the 2007 Fantasia Festival.
The GKIDS announcement lists the full production committee behind the original film: Taiyo Matsumoto, Shogakukan, Aniplex, Asmik Ace, Beyond C., dentsu, and TOKYO MX.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.