AnimeNYC 2025: GKIDS industry panel

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By Jeremy Fuscaldo

GKIDS, founded in 2008 in New York City by Eric Beckman, started as a small distributor of foreign animated films such as Azur & Asmar. The company gained national recognition in 2010 with The Secret of Kells, which earned a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 82nd Academy Awards. That success helped GKIDS secure theatrical distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s catalog, previously handled by Walt Disney Motion Pictures.

In 2017, GKIDS expanded its role when the Ghibli library’s North American home media rights also transitioned from Disney to GKIDS, allowing the company to reissue the films. Over the years, GKIDS strengthened its prominence through strategic partnerships and licensing deals, culminating in its acquisition by Toto International in 2014. Since then, GKIDS has continued shaping the anime and international animation landscape—most recently with its Anime NYC Industry Panel.

Inside the Panel

The panel took place on August 23, 2025, in Room 1A12 at Anime NYC. The GKIDS team previewed future releases and re-releases, while also introducing panelists Grace Liriano, Angela Arnone, Anthea Zhou, Johanna Lee, and Jasmine Tang—all longtime contributors to GKIDS projects.

One highlight came from an anecdote about actor Michael B. Jordan, who expressed disappointment during the Sinners press tour when he missed the 4K IMAX re-release of Princess Mononoke. GKIDS revealed that IMAX later gave him a private screening to make up for it.

Studio Ghibli Fest 2025

Panelists confirmed the return of the annual Studio Ghibli Fest, beginning with Ponyo, followed by Howl’s Moving Castle (Sept. 20–24), Spirited Away (Oct. 18–22), and The Boy and the Heron (Nov. 15–19). They also announced screenings of Mamoru Hosoda’s films, including Wolf Children, Summer Wars, and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Sept. 28–29).

Sneak Peeks and Restorations

GKIDS shared several previews of upcoming films:

The Legend of Hei 2, directed by MTJJ and Gu Jie, showcased striking animation.
Our Sound, directed by Kenji Iwaisawa, employed rotoscoping techniques and highlighted the filmmaker’s animation career.
Angel’s Egg, from Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii and artist Yoshitaka Amano, will receive a 4K restoration and its first theatrical release on Nov. 19. Panelists noted the film was once considered “lost media.”
Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon’s acclaimed psychological thriller, will return to theaters in a newly restored 4K version.

New Projects

The panel also unveiled upcoming additions to GKIDS’ library:

Little Amelie, which debuted at Cannes 2025 and won the Audience Award.
All You Need Is Kill, directed by Kenichiro Akimoto and based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s light novel.
ChaO, the directorial debut of Yasahiro Aoki, developed over seven years.
Another World, GKIDS’ first Hong Kong–produced animated film, directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung and produced by Polly Yeung Po Man.

Home Media Releases

GKIDS announced several home media projects, including:

Dan Da Dan Season 1 on Blu-ray and Collector’s Edition, featuring exclusive art, interviews, and a director-led scene breakdown.
A re-release of Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies with its original 1989 cover art.
The first two installments of Evangelion, releasing Oct. 21 on Blu-ray.
Arcane Season 2, available in multiple formats, including 4K UHD Steelbook and Collector’s Edition with over three hours of bonus features.

Panelists lightened the mood by showcasing collectible dice included in Arcane’s box set, jokingly reminding fans they were “not edible.”

Closing Moments

The event ended with a raffle, where four lucky attendees won GKIDS merchandise and physical media. Overall, the panel celebrated GKIDS’ legacy while offering fans a look at its future projects across film, home media, and theatrical re-releases.

For more coverage on AnimeNYC 2025, you can find it right here in the AnimeNYC 2025 archive on The Beat!

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