Academy Nominee 'Arco' Set to Release on March 11... A Mysterious Adventure of the Rainbow Boy

The animation 〈Arco〉, which is being discussed as a strong contender for the Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, has confirmed its domestic theater release on March 11. Along with the release news, the first poster and trailer featuring mysterious visuals and warm emotions have been unveiled, capturing the attention of movie fans.

〈Arco〉 depicts a special journey between a future boy named 'Arco', who rides a rainbow through time, and a girl named 'Iris', who dreams of a blue tomorrow in a colorless, gray Earth. After Arco crash-lands on Earth, he embarks on an adventure with Iris to find the rainbow that will send him back home, while evading a mysterious trio pursuing them. This adventure is expected to bring deep comfort and hope to the audience.

A Rival to Disney and Netflix... A Unique Aesthetic Praised by Critics Worldwide

This work has already proven its artistic merit by winning the National Board of Review (NBR) award and sweeping the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the European Film Awards. It is currently being recognized as a key player in the 'Oscar Triad', standing shoulder to shoulder with works from global major studios like Disney and Netflix, as it continues to be nominated for the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics' Choice awards.

In particular, the fact that NEON, which successfully led the Oscar campaigns for 〈Parasite〉 and 〈Anora〉, has chosen this film, along with the involvement of global star Natalie Portman in production, has increased trust in the film. Foreign media have praised it as "an animation that captures the lyricism of Studio Ghibli and the emotional depth of E.T."

Delicate 2D Animation and Overwhelming Visuals... “I’ll wait for you where the rainbow ends”

The first poster released alongside the film's announcement features Arco soaring through the sky with a rainbow cloak, creating a mystical atmosphere through the contrast of brilliant light connecting the past and the future. The unique worldview, contrasting nature and humanity, emotion and technology, is realized through the delicate touch characteristic of 2D animation, completing the unique aesthetic of 〈Arco〉.

In the trailer, the line “I’ll wait for you where the rainbow ends” accompanies the unfolding friendship between the two children, hinting at a universal emotion that transcends generations and borders. The brilliant rainbow spectacle painted over the gray world is expected to provide an unforgettable cinematic experience for audiences visiting theaters this spring.

The animation 〈Arco〉, with its overwhelming visual beauty and deep resonance, will officially release in theaters nationwide on March 11 (Wednesday).