Missed Them the First Time? Five Animated Films Returning to Theaters From August Through September

We’re in the era of big animated hits. It sounds like a joke, but it’s true. After DreamWorks and Disney set box-office records with theatrical animated features, Japanese animation has taken up the baton and is winning over devoted audiences. Lately, theaters have been bringing back previously released animated films for new runs. From mid-August through mid-September, several animated titles will return to theaters. Here are five to keep an eye on.

Arrietty (The Secret World of Arrietty) — Aug. 19

Some moviegoers who don’t follow Japanese anime still make a point of seeing Studio Ghibli films. That’s because Studio Ghibli has long made films that transcend the 'Japanese animation' label. Opening Aug. 19, 〈Arrietty (The Secret World of Arrietty)〉 is a Ghibli title from the period when the studio was trying to cultivate a new generation of directors after Hayao Miyazaki. The film was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who had worked for many years as a key animator at Ghibli. It tells the story of Arrietty, a tiny person living under the floorboards, and what happens after she is discovered by a human boy named Sho. The presence of the little people allowed Ghibli’s characteristic warm art style to pair neatly with charming miniature details, earning the film wide praise. Domestically it drew over 1,000,000 viewers at the time. The film will open exclusively at CGV on Aug. 19.

Mungchi on the Road — Aug. 19

When most people think of “dog,” they picture a pet out for a walk or enjoying time with its owner. But the word “dog” covers more than companion animals. 〈Mungchi on the Road〉 tells the story of Mungchi, a dog abandoned by his owner, and a group of strays. The film drew strong anticipation as the next work from Odoltogi CEO Lee Chun-baek and director Oh Sung-yoon, the team from the production company behind 〈Leafie, A Hen Into the Wild〉. Originally released under the title 〈Underdog〉, the film returns under the title 〈Mungchi on the Road〉, a name that reflects the movie’s content more directly. With hand-drawn-style animation and deft 3D work that emphasizes depth, the film contrasts canine friendship with the harsher side of human behavior. This re-release was 4K remastered and will open at Lotte Cinema on Aug. 19.

Original Gundam Trilogy — Aug. 19

Some titles are not re-releases at all but first-time releases. One is the theatrical 〈Mobile Suit Gundam〉 trilogy. Based on the TV anime that launched the original Gundam, the three films — 〈Mobile Suit Gundam I〉, 〈Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow〉 and 〈Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space〉 — follow Amuro Ray, who becomes the pilot of the mobile suit Gundam amid the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Yoshiyuki Tomino, director of the original TV anime, oversaw the project, reorganizing the narrative and supervising the visual and musical revisions. For longtime fans, the three-part theatrical set is an accessible recommendation for newcomers who might otherwise face the long TV series. Following this initial theatrical release of the trilogy, other Gundam titles such as 〈Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack〉 and the two-part 〈Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash〉 will also be reissued. The trilogy will screen at CGV Sinchon Artreon.

Momo and the Mysterious Yokai in the Attic — Sept. 2

Kicking off September is a re-release that still feels like a summer film: 〈Momo and the Mysterious Yokai in the Attic〉. Early September can still carry summer heat, and the film follows Momo, a girl who lives with her mother, after she reads a picture book in the attic and suddenly begins to see yokai friends. Set on an island village, the animation perfectly captures the sweltering summer atmosphere and blends strange creatures with a coming-of-age story about discovering small acts of warmth in the world. Director Hiroyuki Okiura, known for 〈Jin-Roh〉, made this his next project; unlike his earlier work, he handled the original concept, screenplay, storyboards and direction himself, allowing his personal style to shine. The film opens at CGV on Sept. 2.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time — Sept. 16

〈The Girl Who Leapt Through Time〉 will return to theaters for its 20th anniversary, after winning audiences over time and again. The film centers on Makoto, who unexpectedly gains the ability to travel backward through time, and it weaves several stories around her everyday life. The film also helped introduce Mamoru Hosoda to Korean audiences. For the 20th-anniversary reissue, the film has been 4K remastered and, for the first time, will be screened in 4DX—giving even viewers who have seen it before a new way to experience it. The release opens at CGV on Sept. 16.