Masaaki Yuasa’s “INU-OH” to be Screened at Sakura-Con, One of the Largest Japanese Pop Culture Events in the U.S.
– A collaborative initiative with the Hyogo Prefectural Government’s Washington State Office and GKIDS Films –
©2021 "INU-OH" Film Partners All Right Reserved.
Yokohama, Japan – Filmination Inc. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Hiroaki Kanemaru), a company operating Japan’s first and only overseas-oriented online marketplace dedicated to Japanese films and video content, is proud to announce that the feature animation film INU-OH (directed by Masaaki Yuasa) will be officially screened at Sakura-Con 2025, held in Washington State on April 19, 2025. This screening was made possible through collaboration with the Hyogo Prefectural Government’s Washington State Office and GKIDS Films.
About the Film INU-OH
INU-OH is an internationally acclaimed animated feature that has been screened at major global film festivals, including the 78th Venice International Film Festival (2021) and the 51st International Film Festival Rotterdam (2022). It also premiered at the 49th Angoulême International Comics Festival and was nominated for prestigious awards such as the 80th Golden Globe Awards (2023) and the 50th Annie Awards.
Director Masaaki Yuasa continues to redefine the possibilities of animation by diving into the world's oldest performing arts—Noh. The film portrays a real-life Noh performer named INU-OH who captivated audiences during Japan’s Muromachi period, reimagining him as a dazzling pop icon.
Film Details
Title: INU-OH
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Synopsis: Born into a Sarugaku troupe in Kyoto during the Muromachi period, INU-OH is a mysterious child shunned for his appearance, his face hidden behind a gourd-shaped mask. One day, he meets Tomona, a blind young biwa player cursed by the ghosts of the defeated Heike clan. Before names are exchanged, their music and dance intertwine. As Tomona strums his biwa, INU-OH stamps in rhythm—their shared breath creating a world all their own.
“We begin here, now!”
Together, they challenge fate, carving their own paths with powerful performances. As their fame grows, so too does their bond—an extraordinary tale of friendship, music, and self-expression beyond time, inspired by the true story of a forgotten Noh performer and his artistic partner.
Official Website: https://inuoh-anime.com/
About Sakura-Con
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Date: April 19, 2025
Organizer: Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association (ANCEA)
Sakura-Con is the largest anime convention in the Pacific Northwest, held annually for three days at the Seattle Convention Center, typically around the Easter holiday. It features a wide range of Japanese pop culture content including anime, manga, gaming, fashion, and film.
Official Website: https://sakuracon.org/
About FILMINATION Co., Ltd.
Filmination is a technology-driven company dedicated to shining a spotlight on Japanese cinema. Since its founding in 2020, the company has operated Japan’s first and only overseas-oriented online marketplace for Japanese films. As of January 2025, the platform has attracted over 200 international buyer accounts and 350 licensor registrations, offering over 900 titles. Japanese films distributed via Filmination have reached an estimated audience of over 16 million viewers worldwide.
In recognition of its innovative model to globally distribute Japanese indie films, Filmination was awarded the Runner-Up Grand Prize at the Cool Japan Matching Awards 2022.
Company Name: Filmination Inc.
CEO: Hiroaki Kanemaru
Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Founded: January 2019
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