Josee, the Tiger and the Fish Regular Edition Blu-ray

Kindness, tears and longing: all of it. The long-awaited Blu-ray release of the theatrical anime adaptation of a landmark coming-of-age romance. The acclaimed animated film Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, which moved and delighted audiences across Japan, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD.

The original is a celebrated story by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Seiko Tanabe, previously adapted into a live-action film in 2003 starring Satoshi Tsumabuki and Chizuru Ikewaki. Through the rich expressive possibilities of animation, this version vividly depicts two young people coming to understand one another and themselves, and moving forward within a fresh, sincere love.

Its story brims with the radiance of everyday life, both realistic and imaginative, the excitement of romance and the sparkle of living. It captivated Japanese audiences and earned consistently high ratings on film-review sites at release. The film also received an Outstanding Animation award at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize.

It attracted attention from the film industry around the world. It was selected as a special invitation film at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival, the closing film of the 25th Busan International Film Festival, and both a feature-competition and opening film at the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Participation in the Panorama section of the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival was also announced. This moving, internationally acclaimed film now arrives on Blu-ray.

Josee lives in her own world of drawings, books and imagination. She has used a wheelchair since childhood. One day, when she nearly rolls down a steep slope, university student Tsuneo comes to her rescue.

Tsuneo studies marine biology and works long hours at part-time jobs while pursuing his dream of seeing a school of elusive fish found only in Mexico. Chizu, Josee's grandmother who lives with her, offers him a job: listen to Josee's requests and keep her company.

Josee is contrary and sharp-tongued, and treats Tsuneo harshly. He refuses to simply endure her behaviour and confronts her honestly. As their feelings begin to show, the emotional distance between them narrows. Through their growing connection, Josee gathers her courage and decides to venture with Tsuneo into the outside world she has long dreamed of.

The regular-edition Blu-ray contains the 98-minute film, a creditless ending, promotional videos and commercials, and previously unreleased special pilot footage. The jacket features new artwork by character designer Haruko Iizuka.

The cast features Taishi Nakagawa as Tsuneo Suzukawa, Kaya Kiyohara as Josee, Yume Miyamoto as Mai Ninomiya, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Hayato Matsuura, Lynn as Kana Kishimoto, Chiemi Matsutera as Chizu Yamamura, Shintaro Moriyama of Mitorizu as shop manager Nishida, and Lily of Mitorizu as a station attendant.