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Rintaro's Yona Yona Penguin Film Pushed Back to 2009
posted on by Egan Loo
The Shochiku Film distributor revealed that it has pushed back the Japanese release of the Yona Yona Penguin computer graphics film from director Rintarō (Metropolis, X movie) from this year to 2009. Shochiku made the change public in its announcement of its 2008-2009 movie lineup. No explanation was given for the delay. Madhouse is working with Thailand's Imagimax, Japan's Dynamo Pictures, and France's Def2Shoot on the animation production. Shochiku describes the film as "adventure fantasy that depicts the importance of a trusting heart and friendship." Screen Daily periodical reported last May that the story is about "a little girl who gets sucked into a fantasy world populated by goblins who believe that their saviour will be a penguin."
Rintarō created the original story and worked with Madhouse's founder Masao Maruyama on planning the project. Tomoko Konparu (NANA anime, The Phoenix: Chapter of Ho-o) is writing the screenplay, and Katsuya Terada (Blood: The Last Vampire, Cutie Honey (live-action movie) designed the characters.
Besides Japan, film has already been sold for release in 11 markets, including the United Kingdom, France, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Shochiku Film plans to work with Madhouse's American division to release the film in the United States.
Source: animeanime.jp