Sony’s Crunchyroll Buys Anime Film ‘The Concierge’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Rebecca Rubin
·1 min read

Crunchyroll, a distribution company that specializes in anime, has acquired North American rights for the film “The Concierge.”

It is set to be released by Aniplex in Japan on Oct. 20 and is expected to come to Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures theatrical territories in 2024.

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Yoshimi Itazu (“Welcome to the Ballroom”) directed “The Concierge,” an adaptation of Tsuchika Nishimura’s “The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store.” The story follows a trainee concierge named Akino, who works at a store that caters exclusively to animals. She runs around to fulfill the whims and wishes of customers — extinct species are most valued — with a myriad of needs in her pursuit to become a full-fledged concierge.

“The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in a concierge’s dictionary!” Akino laments in the trailer. But she has a special regard for Hokkyoku. “This is a store for people who are doing their best,” she later says.

“The Concierge” world premiered this June at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and debuted in North America at the Fantasia International Film Festival. It’ll screen in competition at the Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles on Oct. 21.

Production I.G. (“Ghost in the Shell,” “Psycho-Pass”) backed the film. The voice cast includes Natsumi Kawaida as Akino, Takeo Otsuka as Elulu, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Woolly.

Crunchyroll is an independently operated joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex. The company’s recent box office successes include “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” and “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train.”

Watch the trailer for “The Concierge” below:

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