The summer has been kind of a dry spell for theatrical anime screenings in Canada, but we’re entering the fall with two highly anticipated multi-part film series.

First off, there’s a saying that applies to both this film’s theatrical run and my reporting on it. You see, while Aniplex of America announced a Canadian screening for Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu, the first theatrical feature in SHAFT’s adaptation of Nisio Isin’s ever sprawling Monogatari light novel series, last month, the film originally ran in select US theatres as early as February. We’re running so close to the wire that Aniplex has already scheduled the second film, Nekketsu, for an October release in the US (presumably if Kizu does well, we’ll get the sequels eventually). But hey, better late than never, right?



(Aniplex pls, the movie looks good enough on its own. You don’t need to put cleavage in the thumbnail for views. You’re coming across as “VAMPIRE ANIME PRANK 2016 GONE SEXUAL – WATCH TIL THE END, THERE’S LOTS OF SURPRISES SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT!!!”)

KIZUMONOGATARI- PART 1: TEKKETSU features the origin story of the highly popular Monogatari Series originally created by author NISIOISIN and is a direct prequel to the BAKEMONOGATARI television series. The story follows the protagonist Koyomi Araragi and his encounter with the horrifying vampire, Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade A.K.A. the “King of Apparitions.” Koyomi saves the fatally wounded Kiss-shot by offering his blood to her in exchange for his own life as a human. This highly anticipated film will be bringing together an all-star creative staff team including Director Tatsuya Oishi (Series Director of BAKEMONOGATARI), Character Designer Akio Watanabe, who worked on the entire Monogatari series, and Chief Director Akiyuki Shimbou (Madoka Magica, Monogatari Series, NISEKOI). Studio SHAFT will be responsible for the anime production.

If that’s a story (ohohoho) that interests you and you live near Calgary, Halifax, Toronto or Vancouver, you’re in luck. You can check out the film at one of the following Cineplex theatres starting on the 28th:

Alberta

Calgary Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas 8/28@12:55pm, 6:30pm, 8:15pm, 9:50pm

8/30@4:20pm, 10:00pm On Sale

British Columbia

Vancouver The Park Theatre 8/28@12:55pm, 2:20pm, 6:30pm, 8:15pm

8/29@9:50pm

8/31@9:20pm On Sale

Nova Scotia

Halifax Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane 8/28@12:55pm, 9:30pm

8/30@4:15pm, 9:50pm

9/1@1:30pm On Sale

Ontario

Toronto Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP 8/28@ 12:55pm , 6:30pm, 8:15pm, 9:50pm

8/29@4:45pm

8/30@4:00pm, 9:50pm

8/31@1:00pm, 10:00pm

9/1@1:00pm On Sale

The film will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

The current screenings are a result of “popular demand“, so it might be worth your while to keep your eyes on the Cineplex page or Aniplex’s one.

The last time we saw Digimon in Canada, things didn’t go so well. The then newest incarnation, Digimon Fusion, saw an unannounced run conclude after 26 episodes. However, that was a show for kids and today we’ll be talking about a series of movies for teens and adults. Yep, as part of Digimon‘s 15th Anniversary, Toei and Bandai embarked on Digimon Adventure tri., a full on nostalgia trip with the original set of characters in a six-part film series exclusively aimed at older fans. This was a somewhat risky move, as while Digimon was one of the less juvenile franchises of its ilk, it is a children’s franchise, as evidenced by the upcoming reboot. But tri. has been hugely successful, and just as Japan gets the third entry, it’s now time for the first film, Reunion, to finally open in North America.

It’s been six years since that summer adventure when Tai and the rest of the DigiDestined crossed over to the Digital World and nearly three years since the final battle between Kari’s group and Apocalymon. As the peaceful days passed by, at some point the gate to the Digital World closed. Not even the DigiDestined know what caused this, and time alone continues to pass.

On an ordinary day, Kuwagamon suddenly appears in the City! His rampage leaves buildings in ruins and its people in turmoil. Tai happens to catch sight of Kuwagamon, and he chases after him by himself in an effort to halt his rampage. But there’s nothing he can do against Kuwagamon.

“It’s no use… I can’t do anything about this alone…” –Tai

Just as Kuwagamon roars and attacks Tai, his Digivice begins to emit a bright light…

“Tai, look how big you’ve grown!” – Agumon

With the sound of that nostalgic voice, The adventure now Digivolves once again.

Presented by Toei Animation, Eleven Arts and Fathom Events, Digimon Adventure tri. – Chapter 1: Reunion will screen in over 30 Cineplex locations in Canada on September 15th (same day as the US). As this is an event release, all screenings will happen on one day, with most venues exclusively showing the film at 7PM.

Alberta

Calgary Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas 9/15 @6PM, 8:15PM On Sale Edmonton Scotiabank Theatre West Edmonton Mall 9/15 @7PM On Sale Lethbridge Galaxy Cinemas Lethbridge 9/15 @7PM On Sale

British Columbia

Manitoba

Winnipeg SilverCity St. Vital 9/15 @7PM On Sale

New Brunswick

Fredericton Cineplex Cinemas Fredericton (Empire 10 Regent Mall) 9/15 @7PM On Sale

Newfoundland

St. John’s Scotiabank Theatre St. John’s 9/15 @7PM On Sale

Nova Scotia

Halifax Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane (Empire 8) 9/15 @7PM On Sale

Ontario

Quebec

Duplessis Cinéma Cineplex Odeon Ste-Foy 9/15 @7PM On Sale Montreal Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal 9/15 @7PM On Sale

Saskatchewan

Regina Cineplex Cinemas Regina (formerly Galaxy Cinemas) 9/15 @7PM On Sale Saskatoon Scotiabank Theatre Saskatoon and VIP 9/15 @7PM On Sale

Because of the nature of event screenings, more locations are likely to be added as the film’s premiere draws near. Those not already covered by the above are encouraged to keep checking Cineplex’s page as well as Tribute’s. Fathom does have a theatre listing, but unfortunately it seems devoted to just US venues right now.

All screenings are assumed to use the English voice cast. While prior Digimon dubs have seen a heavy localization, it’s been promised that tri. will adhere to the tone of the Japanese version, though there might be some music changes (the song in the embedded trailer being a hopefully poor example of one). If you’d like to check out the original material, Crunchyroll is streaming the first two films subtitled.

It’s good to see these two make their way up here. While it’s been far from a bad year for anime on the Canadian silver screen, we were in a bit of a rut. Project Itoh skipping out on Canada? Ouch. Doukyusei? Okay, I’d be more surprised if that got a theatrical release up here. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV? Sony might have taken a bullet for us, but still, I would’ve liked the option to see it on the big screen. Heck, Funimation is even skipping the live action Rurouni Kenshin films.

How come I notice when things don’t wind up on here, yet this completely flew under my radar? Sure, it only opened in Halifax and Toronto, but I live in Toronto …