First-ever Digital Platform Release in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand Source: DIRECTIONS, Inc. press release Official Site: timeofeve.com (Japan), timeofeve.com/e (English) Special Thanks to Ann Yamamoto
DIRECTIONS, Inc. and STUDIO RIKKA are proud to announce the immediate availability of Yasuhiro Yoshiura`s TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE (????? ???, Gekijoban Ivu no Jikan, 2010) on the iTunes Store in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This release marks the anime film`s digital platform premiere outside Japan. TIME OF EVE (?????, Ivu no Jikan) launched as 6 episodes from August 2008 through September 2009 on streaming platforms worldwide. The series quickly gained a devoted following as word spread about the sheer artistry of the visuals, and the tightly woven coming-of-age story about friendship, family and confronting society`s norms. The series exceeded 3 million views in Japan alone and sold out of the single-episode limited edition DVD release. TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE brings together the 6 episodes with new footage and a revelatory new ending, plus a new theme song by hit J-pop unit Kalafina (Sony Music Entertainment). The film is about two high school boys, who grapple with their own humanity in a world where people are serviced by androids distinguished from their masters only by the halo-like rings above their heads. Public mores, enforced by the shadowy Robot Ethics Committee, dictate that androids be treated like appliances, and those who empathize with their robots are branded as "android-holics." Rikuo and his childhood pal Masaki find their assumptions about androids radically challenged when they come across Time of EVE, a cafe where androids and people are treated as equals. Liberated from the strictures of the Ethics Committee, Masaki and Rikuo must confront old wounds of betrayal and grief, and are faced with decisions that put their friendship and families on the line. TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE was directed by Yoshiura Yasuhiro, who captured the attention of the anime world with his groundbreaking solo OVA PALE COCOON (2005). Fans worldwide are captivated by the nuances of his artwork, and the depth and humor of his stories. Numerous awards and honors include best script at the Sapporo Short Film Festival (2006), invited work at the Tokyo International Film Festival (2006), selection for the Japan Media Arts Festival (2003), and Honorary Mention at Ars Electronica (2002).
The voice cast is headlined by Jun Fukuyama (Rikuo), Kenji Nojima (Masaki) and Rie Tanaka (Sammy). Fukuyama has a devoted following from his roles in xxxHOLiC, CODE GEASS and the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM series. He has won Seiyu Awards (voice actor awards) for Best Male Rookie, Best Main Actor and Overseas Fan`s Choice Award. Nojima, one of Japan`s most versatile and skilled voice actors, drives forward the drama of TIME OF EVE through his portrayal of Masaki`s complex inner world. He has played roles in ONE PIECE, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD, and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED DESTINY. Tanaka is an accomplished singer and performer, as well as know for her roles in MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED, CHOBITZ, and ROZEN MAIDEN. She captures the sensitive nuances of Sammy`s character, and sings the theme song "Time of Tenderness" featured in Episode 6. The film premiered in Tokyo on March 6, 2010, breaking opening day box office records at Ikebukuro`s Theater Daiya and extending to theatrical runs in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo and Fukuoka. The huge response from fans has resulted in TIME OF EVE adaptations as a comic book serialization (Square Enix`s Young Gangan), novel, official fan book, and product development, as well as Blu-ray and DVD editions in Japan. Award highlights for TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE include Official Selections for the New York International Children`s Film Festival 2011 and Pusan International Film Festival 2010. The film was also a Jury Recommended Work at the Japan Media Arts Festival 2010. TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE runs 106 minutes, and is presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The film is available now from the iTunes store for $9.99 purchase or $3.99 rental (US prices).
About DIRECTIONS, Inc.
DIRECTIONS, Inc. produces projects with talented visual creators, guided by the keywords of "edutainment," "sub-culture" and "youth." In addition to Yasuhiro Yoshiura`s TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE, acclaimed projects include Palm Top Theater (Ars Electronica 2010, International Film Festival Rotterdam 2011, Museum of Art and Design NYC, etc.), HOSHI SHINICHI`S SHORT SHORTS (International Emmy Award 2010), and BITWORLD (BANFF 2009, Good Design Award 2009).