Kadokawa boards anime duo ‘Whoever Steals This Book’, ‘Wasted Chef’

EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s Kadokawa has boarded two anime features and will introduce them to international buyers at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM, September 20-23).

The first is Whoever Steals This Book, which follows a high-school student who must track down stolen books left by her great-grandfather in order to break an ancient curse. Animated at studio Kagokan and directed by Daisei Fukuoka (Danganropa 3), it is scripted by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, based on a novel by Nowaki Fukamidori. Kadokawa Animation will release the film in Japan on December 26.

Also new to the slate is Wasted Chef (working title), the latest from director Takayuki Hirao and studio Clap, known for acclaimed 2021 feature Pompo: The Cinéphile. The story is centred on a young man from Tokyo who finds himself in a mysterious city and helps its residents rediscover their love of food through his cooking.

Kadokawa handles rights outside Asia, while Shochiku reps in-Asia. A release date in Japan has yet to be scheduled.

Earlier this year, Sony became the largest shareholder in Kadokawa with plans to adapt IP into live action films and TV dramas internationally, co-produce anime projects and expand global distribution of Kadokawa’s anime titles.

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