Tickets Now On Sale For "The Boy and The Beast"

Mamoru Hosoda Film Set to Open March 4 in Theaters Nationwide

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, Feb. 9, 2016 — (PRNewswire) — Funimation® Films announced today that advanced tickets for "The Boy and The Beast" are now available for purchase via the official film microsite at FunimationFilms.com. This newest Mamoru Hosoda masterpiece opens March 4 and will screen in more than 100 theaters and counting across the U.S. Theatergoers will have the option to watch either the original Japanese language version (with English subtitles), the new English dub version produced by Funimation, or both, depending on theater location. As part of today's ticket sales announcement, Funimation has released the first full-length, English theatrical trailer for the movie, which can be seen here. Hailed by Variety as a "feast-your-eyes visual buffet" and "raucously entertaining" by The Hollywood Reporter, "The Boy and The Beast" is a limited theatrical engagement and fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

"The wait is over. Fans across America can now secure tickets and guarantee their opportunity to watch 'The Boy and The Beast' during this limited theatrical engagement," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. "We are releasing this film in both subtitled and dub versions – a first for Funimation Films – to make it accessible to both anime and mainstream audiences."

Funimation has distributed two prior Hosoda films in the U.S., including the critically acclaimed and award-winning "Wolf Children" in 2013 and "Summer Wars" in 2010. "The Boy and The Beast" has garnered critical acclaim of its own and was nominated for Animation of the Year at the 39^th Annual Japanese Academy Awards as well as for Best Animated Feature-Independent category at the 43^rd Annual Annie Awards, which recognize the best in the field of animation.

"The coming of age story and stunning animation in 'The Boy and The Beast' will appeal to audiences both young and old," said Mike DuBoise, COO of Funimation. "This masterpiece by director Mamoru Hosoda will transport audiences to another world and sets a new standard for anime movies."

"The Boy and The Beast" ("Bakemono no Ko" in Japanese) tells the story of Kyuta, a young orphan living on the streets of Shibuya, who stumbles into a fantastic world of beasts. He's taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff, rough-around-the-edges warrior beast who's been searching for the perfect apprentice. Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and slowly form a bond as surrogate father and son. But when a deep darkness threatens to throw the human and beast worlds into chaos, the strong bond between this unlikely family will be put to the ultimate test—a final showdown that will only be won if the two can finally work together using all of their combined strength and courage.

For more information on "The Boy and The Beast" visit funimationfilms.com/theboyandthebeast. Hi-res stills and screener are available to media at epk.tv.

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About Funimation Films
Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Funimation Entertainment, acquires both anime and live action movies from prominent international filmmakers that appeal to the interests and passion of all types of fans and distributes them throughout North America. The division was launched in December 2014 following the box office success of "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods" that same year. Funimation Films released "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'" a year later and which became #9 highest-grossing anime movie in North America. Funimation Entertainment is a subsidiary of Group 1200 Media, a fully integrated, next-generation, independent entertainment studio based in Dallas. For more information on Funimation Films, visit funimationfilms.com.