GKIDS and Shout! Factory have announced that The Deer King will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18th, and will be available on all major digital platforms on October 4th. The release comes with a variety of bonus features, some of which include conversations with the voice cast, an introduction from the director Masashi Ando, a gallery of design work, and more.
The Deer King is a breathtaking tale of survival that is told in the form of an action-packed anime film with dazzling animation.
Following the conclusion of a bloody war, the occupying empire forces former soldier Van to work in one of its mines. His solitary existence is turned upside down when a pack of wild dogs carrying a disease that is fatal and incurable attacks, and the only two people who survive are Van and a young girl named Yuna.
After being set free at last, the couple tries to live a quiet life in the countryside, but they are being pursued by malevolent forces. Van must discover the true cause of the plague that is ravaging the kingdom as well as a possible cure for it if he is going to fulfill his promise to protect Yuna at all costs.
Bonus Home Video Features Include:
- Bringing the English Dub to Life
- Interview with Director Masashi Ando
- Introduction from Masashi Ando
- Design Gallery
- Trailers
The fantasy novel series "The Deer King" by Nahoko Uehashi, which has won major literary awards and has been sold in excess of two million copies, and has served as the inspiration for animated film of the same name.
Acclaimed animator Masashi Ando, who has previously worked as a character designer, animation director, and key animator with the renowned Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), as well as with directors Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Paranoia Agent), and Makoto Shinkai, marks his directorial debut with this film, which was animated by the acclaimed studio Production I.G.
The film also marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator Production (your name.). Masayuki Miyaji, who also served as a co-director on the film, is best known for directing the television series Xam'd: Lost Memories in 2009 and for his work on Studio Ghibli movies like My Neighbors the Yamadas.
Production I.G is an animation studio that is well-known for their work in various anime series and feature film animations. Some of their most notable works include the film Ghost in the Shell, which is considered to be a classic, and the highly influential anime series FLCL, Haikyu!!, and Psycho Pass.