The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is set to showcase a diverse range of animated works, and this year, two anime series are making waves in the competition. “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley” have both been selected to compete, promising a captivating experience for festival attendees.
Crunchyroll Highlights Anime’s Global Impact
Crunchyroll, a major player in the anime streaming world, is making a significant appearance at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, taking place from June 8-14 in Annecy, France. The company is not only screening “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley” in competition but also hosting a panel discussion titled “Crunchyroll Studio Focus: Niche No More – Anime’s Global Growth is Delighting Fans Worldwide.” This panel, led by Crunchyroll’s Executive Vice President of Global Commerce, Mitchel Berger, will delve into the increasing popularity and global influence of anime.
“Metallic Rouge”: A Tech-Noir Thriller
“Metallic Rouge” is an original television anime that premiered in January 2024. It is directed by Motonobu Hori and animated by BONES. The series unfolds in a world where humans and androids, known as Neans, coexist. The story centers on Rouge Redstar, an android girl, and her partner Naomi Orthmann as they embark on a mission to Mars. Their objective is to eliminate the “Immortal Nine,” a group of artificial humans who pose a threat to the government. This “tech noir” anime blends elements of science fiction, action, and mystery, creating a unique and engaging narrative.
Production Team
- Director: Motonobu Hori (Carole & Tuesday)
- Animation Studio: BONES
- Chief Director & Series Scripts: Yutaka Izubuchi (Mobile Police Patlabor, Star Blazers 2199, RahXephon)
- Screenplay: Toshizo Nemoto (Macross Delta)
- Character Design: Toshihiro Kawamoto (Cowboy Bebop)
- Music: Taisei Iwasaki (BELLE), Yuma Yamaguchi, Towa Tei
Synopsis
In a world where androids called Neans and humans live together, a group named the Immortal Nine threatens society. Rouge Redstar, a Nean, and investigator Naomi Orthmann journey to Mars to hunt them down.
“Anne Shirley”: A Classic Reimagined
“Anne Shirley” is a new anime adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novel, “Anne of Green Gables.” The anime premiered on April 5 on NHK Educational. This adaptation brings the timeless story of Anne, a spirited orphan, to a new generation of viewers. The series captures the charm and heartwarming nature of the original novel, following Anne as she finds her place in the world.
Production Team
- Directors: Yūji Watanabe and Naoko Saitō
- Animation Studio: TheAnswerstudio
Synopsis
Set on Prince Edward Island, Canada, the story follows Anne Shirley, an orphan who is mistakenly sent to Green Gables, the home of siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The anime portrays Anne’s adventures, her vibrant personality, and her journey to find love and belonging.
Annecy International Animation Film Festival
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, established in 1960, is a renowned event dedicated to animation. It is the largest and longest-running animation festival globally. The festival attracts filmmakers, industry professionals, and animation enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a wide array of animated films, TV series, and other projects. This year the festival runs from June 8-14. The festival includes screenings, competitions, workshops, and conferences, making it a vital platform for the animation community.
Significance of Selection
Being selected for competition at Annecy is a significant achievement for both “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley.” It provides international recognition and exposure, highlighting the quality and creativity of these anime series. The festival is known for its discerning selection process, and the inclusion of these two titles underscores their artistic merit and appeal.
TV Films Competition
Both “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley” are competing in the TV Films category at Annecy. This category features a diverse range of animated television projects from around the world. Competing against other high-quality productions, “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley” have the opportunity to gain critical acclaim and broaden their audience.
Other Notable Entries
Alongside “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley,” the Annecy International Animation Film Festival features a variety of other compelling TV film entries. These include:
- “An Almost Christmas Story” (USA)
- “Anselmo Wannabe ‘The Architect'” (Italy)
- “Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight” (France)
- “Baby Bot’s Backyard Tales ‘Where’s Billy?'” (Spain)
- “Big Lizard” (Belgium, France, UK)
- “Christo the Civilized Barbarian ‘Hunting Party'” (USA)
- “Common Side Effects ‘Episode 9′” (USA)
- “Devil May Cry ‘The First Circle'” (USA)
- “Firsts ‘Junko Tabei'” (Chile, Spain)
- “Freaked Out ‘Major Decision'” (Belgium, France, Germany)
- “Full Next” (Germany)
- “Goat Girl ‘I ain’t afraid of no goat'” (Belgium, France, Ireland)
- “Guard Dog and Bill Plympton in Brazil ‘Lost in Iguazu'” (Brazil)
- “Il Est Une Fois” (France)
- “In Search of the Star Vegetable” (Madagascar)
- “Jeremy Super Caribou ‘Jeremy’s Fast Delivery Service'” (France)
- “Kiff ‘Kiff Is Good at Sports'” (USA)
- “Kippkopp and Tipptopp” (Hungary)
- “Max & the Midknights ‘Welcome to Byjovia'” (USA)
- “Pucio ‘Pucio and the Crocodile'” (Poland)
- “Star Wars: Tales of the Empire ‘Devoted'” (USA)
- “Stories from Backwoods” (Ireland)
- “Tales from Outer Suburbia ‘Episode 3: Distant Rain'” (Australia)
- “The Ruins of Kunlun Linglong” (China)
- “The Upside Down River” (France)
- “Tiddler” (UK)
- “Tiny Toot ‘Mushroom Magic'” (Denmark)
- “Zombie Safari ‘We Will Be Animals'” (Singapore)
This diverse selection highlights the global reach and creative innovation within the animation industry.
Japanese Films at Annecy 2025
In addition to “Anne Shirley” and “Metallic Rouge,” several other Japanese animated works have been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. These include:
- Feature Films:
- “The Last Blossom” (dir. KINOSHITA Baku)
- “ChaO” (dir. AOKI Yasuhiro)
- Feature Films Contrechamp:
- “Jinsei” (dir. SUZUKI Ryuya)
- Official Short Films:
- “Ordinary Life” (dir. MIZUSHIRI Yoriko)
- “Star Wars Visions” (dir. OHIRA Shinya)
- Off-Limits:
- “The Graffiti” (dir. ORIKASA Ryo)
- Graduation Films:
- “Hand” (dir. WANG Jing)
- “me*” (dir. ITO Rina)
- “Q” (dir. KIHARA Masataka)
- “Veils of Landscape” (dir. YAMANAKA Chihiro)
- Annecy Presents:
- “100 Meters” (dir. IWAISAWA Kenji)
- Midnight Specials:
- “All You Need Is Kill” (dir. AKIMOTO Kenichiro)
- “Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage” (dir. NAKAMURA Kenji, SUZUKI Kiyotaka)
- “Nightmare Bugs” (dir. SAKAMOTO Saku, FUKUTANI Osamu)
- Work In Progress:
- “The Mourning Children: Nagiko and the Girls Wearing Tsurubami Black” (dir. KATABUCHI Sunao)
- “Daisy’s Life” (dir. YUASA Masaaki)
This strong representation of Japanese animation underscores the country’s significant contribution to the global animation landscape.
Conclusion
The selection of “Metallic Rouge” and “Anne Shirley” for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival is a testament to the quality and appeal of these anime series. As they compete on the international stage, they represent the diverse and evolving world of anime. The festival promises to be an exciting event for animation enthusiasts, with a wide range of films and discussions that highlight the creativity and innovation within the industry.
