Aniplex of America has announced that “Clockwork Girl,” the inaugural story in director Yasuomi Umetsu and animation studio SHAFT’s Virgin Punk original anime series, will receive a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 11 and 13. The company also revealed the full English dub cast for the highly anticipated screening event, which will include both subtitled and dubbed versions, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
The announcement was made at New York Comic Con, where Aniplex of America detailed plans to partner with Fathom Events for the nationwide screenings. Tickets for the event are currently available for purchase.
Diving into the World of Virgin Punk: ‘Clockwork Girl’
“Clockwork Girl” introduces audiences to a dystopian 2099 where humanity has overcome injuries and illnesses through advanced Medical Android Technology known as “Somadea.” However, this innovation has led to a surge in crimes involving illegally modified Somadea, which grants users enhanced physical abilities. To combat this, the government has established a Bounty Hunter System, allowing registered civilians to eliminate designated Somadea criminals for substantial rewards.
The story centers on Ubu Kamigori, a bounty hunter navigating this dangerous world, who finds her destiny unraveling when she encounters Mr. Elegance, a figure from her past. The narrative promises a suspenseful action tale interwoven with mechanical girls and the pervasive scent of gunpowder smoke.
Creative Vision and Production
Virgin Punk is an original animation series directed by Yasuomi Umetsu, renowned for his work on titles such as Kite and Mezzo. Umetsu is also credited with character design for the series. Animation production is handled by Studio SHAFT, known for its distinctive visual style in series like the Monogatari franchise and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Yūya Takahashi is responsible for the series composition and script.
Meet the English Dub Cast
Aniplex of America has assembled a talented cast to bring the characters of “Clockwork Girl” to life for English-speaking audiences. The principal English dub cast includes:
- Xanthe Huynh as Ubu Kamigori
- David Cooley as Mr. Elegance
- Daman Mills as Lewis Gaudi
- Suzie Yeung as Maggie
- Brent Mukai as Tommy J
- Erica Mendez as Noa Andriette
- Risa Mei as Vespa
These actors will lend their voices to the intricate world and characters conceived by Umetsu and SHAFT, aiming to deliver a compelling experience for the audience.
The Theatrical Experience
The limited theatrical run, presented by Aniplex of America and Fathom Events, will offer a dual-language experience, allowing viewers to choose between the original Japanese audio with English subtitles or the newly produced English dub. In addition to the feature presentation, attendees will be treated to a “never-before-seen featurette exploring the creation” of the Virgin Punk anime, providing an exclusive look into its development.
The “Clockwork Girl” episode made its theatrical debut in Japan on June 27, opening at Cine Libre Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Theatre Umeda in Osaka, where it quickly secured the #1 spot in mini-theater rankings. The upcoming U.S. screenings mark a significant opportunity for fans to experience this new original anime on the big screen.
