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Stand By Me Doraemon, an unprecedented hit that made over 7.5 billion JPY in box office revenue, will be screened at the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival which kicks off on Oct. 23. This news was revealed at the lineup announcement for the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival held on Sept. 30.
Moreover, appropriately enough for an international film festival, the English dubbed version of the film will be screened. Doraemon, who’s hugely popular with everyone from kids to adults, Nobita, and Shizuka-chan will all talk in English. Fans will likely be able to have a unique experience due to these familiar characters talking in English. The screening will take place on the second day of the festival, Oct. 24, at 18:30 at Toho Cinemas Nihonbashi, a location that joins the festival beginning this year. Similarly to the other works to be screened, tickets will go on sale Oct. 11 at noon.
Stand By Me Doraemon is the first full-length, fully CG film based on the nationally loved manga created by Fujiko F. Fujio. Shin-Ei, reputed for its CG and VFX work, produced the animation, and the film was directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi from the Always: Sunset on Third Street series and Friends: Mononoke Shima no Naki. This was a challenge to portray the characters in a way never before seen, and the fact that it has become a huge hit can also be attributed to its acclaimed tearjerker story. With the momentum it has, it is likely to change the flow of Japan’s full-length animated films from here on.
Because it’s such a huge hit, interest in it continues to grow. On Sept. 17, a plan to distribute the film in 57 countries was revealed. For a limited time, the international film trade fair TIFF COM will also be held. At the fair will be business and industry personnel from around the world. The English dubbed version of the film will appeal to foreign audiences.