New scene photos have been released from the animated feature film "Wolf Walkers" (premiering on October 30), which is based on a medieval Irish legend and tells the story of Mebhe, a Wolf Walker, and Robyn, a young girl. In addition, the director Hosoda Mamoru and other celebrities who saw the film earlier have also commented on the film. The new photographs released this time depict a colorful forest, and at the same time, we can see the Lord Protector and his soldiers trying to burn down the forest, and a wolf surrounded by flames in the forest. Since the city and the forest are at odds with each other in this film, contrasting styles of representation are employed. The city depicted in squares, rectangles, straight lines, and angular shapes is stiff and heavy, while the forest depicted in curves and hand-drawn lines is free, organic, and beautiful, in the style of a watercolor painting. In Ireland, where The Wolf Walkers takes place, the wolf has been extinct since 1786. Co-director Tom Moore says, "A large part of the current crisis is the result of our global society's unplanned and unwanted attitude towards animals. He added that the struggle between the wolves trying to protect the forest and the humans trying to burn it down will be a major highlight of the film, saying, "The biggest challenge is that this is an action film. "Wolf Walkers" opens in Japan on October 30th at YEBISU GARDEN CINEMA and other theaters. ＜Here's what he had to say about the film [Hosoda Mamoru, animation film director] I was impressed by what a beautiful yet powerful film it is. From the first cut of the film, there is not a single cut that is obvious. It was a truly wonderful film, with each and every cut being a surprise. [Yamamura Koji, animator and picture book author] The mature, highly accomplished formal beauty, the strangeness of its forms, provides visual pleasure. The society of modern Europe, illuminated by the light of "reason" and the primitive nature-worshipping spirit of Celtic culture as a reaction to that, is linked to the plastic power of "animation", which can be shaped and transformed at will, and invites us to a sweet medieval tale of transformation. It's a classic story with the structure of a girl's initiation, but the corresponding change in the father is modern and tender. [Sashide Kazumasa, editor-in-chief of Sotokoto] A soft perspective on the relationship between wolves and people, changing the relationship from division to coexistence. If I could, I would like to become a wolf walker and feel the joy of existence as a part of nature and play in that beautiful forest in Ireland. [Morimoto Chie (goen°)] Tom Moore and Ross Stewart's beautifully colored and sculpted world is given an even more vibrant light in this film. Wolves and humans. Nature and man. The beautiful soul of the film is captivating while highlighting the always foolish and cowardly nature of human society. It resonates strongly with motherhood. Finding true love by looking straight at it and jumping in rather than building a wall by turning away from it in fear. Maybe people and nature can understand each other. Inspired by Celtic legends after The Secret of Brendan and Kells and Song of the Sea, The Wolfwalker tells us the great love we need to live. It is the most loving work in the trilogy. [Ito Yuichi (Animation Director)] Aha! What a joy to "draw" animation! And what a film that lavishes the viewer with a generous dose of affection! The contrast between the softness of movement represented by the layers of pencil touches depicting the natural world (reminiscent of Disney's goal of developing a machine-less world in 101 Dogs) and the hard, cold, woodblock-style world of the castle town, the extremely deformed composition of the screen, the visualization of the movement of the soul, etc... The development of expression for this film reflects the strong Celtic culture that remains in their home country of Ireland, but everything works properly as a language of storytelling. It's a pleasure to see that Ross Stewart, as co-director, has sublimated his expressive power and filled the film with a mystique reminiscent of "Brendan and the Secret of Kells". On the other hand, if you look at the genealogy of his films leading up to "The Breadwinner", it's clear that Cartoon Saloon is not just a romantic, and as you immerse yourself in this beautiful story, feeling the wolf's howl in the scat of the theme song, you'll notice an "alarm bell" from deep inside. The wolves that run around so vividly are already extinct. This film, which does not leave the audience behind and does not end up as a mere sentiment or criticism, is a great work of art. It's full of animation charm! [Kanie Anzu (artist)] This film is a story that affirms all "life". And it's an epic action movie about the friendship between two girls. Against the backdrop of a colorful forest that seems to be lost in a world of paintings, the Celtic music makes the expression of light and rain even more beautiful and captivating. These brave girls make us feel like we are being asked who we need to fight for the future. (C) WolfWalkers 2020

"Wolfwakers", a feature animation based on medieval Irish folklore that depicts the story of the wolfwalker, Mebh, and a girl named Robyn, will be in theaters throughout Japan including YEBISU GARDEN CINEMA, from Oct. 30, 2020. The film was produced by the Irish studio, "Cartoon Saloon", which has been nominated at the Academy Awards for all past feature animation and is regarded as the "Post-Ghibli" animation studio. Cartoon Saloon was founded in Kilkenny in 1999 by Paul Young, Tom Moore, and Nora Twomey, who were classmates at the animation department of Ballyfermot College. The studio started with 12 staff and now has grown to have about 300 full-time workers. All their past feature films, "The Secret of Kells", "Song of the Sea", and "The Breadwinner", and their short film "Late Afternoon", were nominated at the Academy Awards. They have passionate fans all over the world, and critics have praised their work, calling them the "Post-Ghibli" animation studio. Cartoon Saloon depicts a creative world based on Irish history and myths, with colorful 2D animation. "Wolwalkers" will be the final chapter of their Celtic trilogy, following "The Secret of Kells" and "Song of the Seas". In this film, they used 3D software for the first time, depicting the wolf's point of view of the scenery with dynamic camera work. Since they have been working with EU countries such as France and Luxembourg, along with the UK, much of their work has been transitioned to telework, letting them proceed in their production without major problems during the lockdown. The breathtakingly beautiful world and marvelous story, depicted through an infinitely gentle view of life, features the largest number of characters of all their work and also has much entertainment such as the impressing battle against a pack of wolves. This is a must-see fantasy, not only for anime fans but also for those who are interested in history and tradition. "Wolfwalkers" will be in theaters throughout Japan, including YEBISU GARDEN CINEMA from Oct. 30. (C)WolfWalkers 2020