'Children of the Sea': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the Japanese animated movie

Barely a year since its release in Japan, 'Children of the Sea' has earned itself accolades with the grand prize for Japan Media Arts Festival Awards
PUBLISHED AUG 19, 2020
(IMDb)
(IMDb)

'Children of the Sea' is a sensitive, mesmerizing anime that follows a lonely 14-year-old on a life-changing journey. Based on the themes of mysteries of life, it depicts the connections between humanity and nature. The 2019 Japanese animated film is arriving on-demand following its initial release in Japan on June 7, 2019. The movie was supposed to see a theatrical release in April 2020 but was initially rescheduled to August 11-13, till it was finally canceled due to the pandemic. 

Barely a year since its release in Japan, 'Children of the Sea' has earned itself accolades with the Mainichi Film Awards for Best Animation film and the Animation Division - Grand Prize for Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming movie:

Release date

'Children of the Sea' will release on VoD on September 1, 2020.  

Plot

According to the official synopsis of the movie: "When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there — Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans' fish.

Cast

Mana Ashida as Azumi Ruka

The actress is known for 'Ghost', 'Confessions', 'Entaku', and 'Pacific Rim'.

Charlie Hunnam and Mana Ashida in 'Pacific Rim' (IMDb)

Hiiro Ishibashi as Umi

Ishibashi is known for playing the role of Yuga Oudou on 'Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens'. 

Seishū Uragami as Sora

The Japanese actor is known for 'N St', 'Kazoku Game', and 'Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day'.

Win Morisaki as Anglade

Win Morisaki attends "Ready Player One" Premiere 2018 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 11, 2018, in Austin, Texas (Getty Images) 

As Anglade, Morisaki plays a genius marine biologist who pursues the mystery surrounding Umi and Sora. The actor is the lead vocalist of PrizmaX, a J-pop idol boy band. He is known for his work in 'Ready Player One'.

Creators 

'Children of the Sea' is directed by Ayumu Watanabe and produced by Eiko Tanaka, with animation production by Studio 4 °C. The movie is based on the manga of the same title by Daisuke Igarashi, who also wrote the film's screenplay along with Hanasaki Kino.

The movie is Watanabe's first theatrically released film since 'Space Brothers #0', and the first animated film adaptation of an Igarashi manga. 'Children of the Sea' features a score by award-winning composer and longtime Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi ('Spirited Away', 'Howl's Moving Castle', 'My Neighbor Totoro').

Trailer

You can watch the mesmerizing trailer for the movie here:



 

Where to watch

'Children of the Sea' releases on September 1, 2020, on VoD. 

If you like this, you will love these:

'The Idhun Chronicles'

'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'

'Spirited Away'

'A Whisker Away'

'When Marnie was There'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Ryan Gosling stars as a biologist turned teacher who is dealing with amnesia after being involved in a tragic incident onboard a starship
1 day ago
'Walker, Texas Ranger' star Chuck Norris recently passed away at the age of 86
2 days ago
'What Happens At Night' is based on the Peter Cameron novel of the same name, with Patrick Marber writing the screenplay.
2 days ago
The film focuses on Dr. Ryland Grace and the Eridian alien Rocky as they team up to save their respective planets from destruction
2 days ago
A key scene in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ trailer has fans convinced it hints at a major character's downfall in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2.
2 days ago
Jim Carrey reprises his character of Dr. Robotnik for 'Sonic the Hedgehog 4' and a CGI hybrid movie from Paramount Pictures.
3 days ago
Sadie Sink plays a mysterious villain who has been likened to Jean Grey, but an official confirmation in 'Spiderman: Brand New Day' is yet to come.
3 days ago
The comedy-drama film 'Lilo and Stitch 2' centers on the friendship between a young Hawaiian girl and an extraterrestrial alien.
3 days ago
'Incredibles 2' left the Parr family feeling unresolved, and the third instalment might right this wrong, with plenty of fans waiting for its release.
3 days ago
The cameo marks the second Defender's arrival in films after Matt Murdock/Daredevil's brief cameo in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.'
4 days ago