Variety is reporting that an anime film adaptation of Taiyo Matsumoto’s Sunny drama manga series is in production, with a targeted completion date sometime in 2029. GKIDS is listed as a producer for the project.
The film will be part of five new animated projects highlighted at this year’s Cannes’ Annecy Animation Showcase, which will be held on May 18, 2025 as part of Cannes’ Animation Day.
Additionally, Variety shared a preview image from the upcoming anime film. The outlet also updated its article to confirm that dwarf studios is in charge of the animation production. The studio is known for its stop-motion work on Pokémon Concierge and Rilakkuma and Kaoru.
The film adaptation will be directed by Michael Arias (Tekkonkinkreet, Harmony) and Variety describes the project as “a moving narrative set in 1970s Japan.” The main premise is described by the outlet as follows:
The film takes viewers inside Star Kids, a foster home that’s a sanctuary for children caught in the cracks of society. Told through the eyes of its young inhabitants, Sunny explores the fragile strength of found families and childhood resilience.
Matsumoto’s original Sunny manga was first launched in Shogakukan’s Monthly Ikki magazine from December 25, 2010 to September 25, 2014, until the magazine ceased publication. It was later moved to Monthly Big Comic Spirits from January 27, 2015 to July 27, 2015. A total of six tankobon volumes were released.
The manga was awarded “Best General Manga” at the 61st Shogakukan Manga Awards in 2016 and an Excellence Award at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2017. It was twice nominated for “Best Comic” at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, in 2015 and 2016. It also received a nomination for a Harvey Award in 2014, a nomination for an Eisner Award in 2016, and won Slate Book Review and Vermont’s Center for Cartoon Studies’ Best Graphic Novel prize in 2014.
VIZ Media releases the Sunny manga series in English under its VIZ Signature imprint, describing the synopsis of the first volume as:
What is Sunny? Sunny is a car. Sunny is a car you take on a drive with your mind. It takes you to the place of your dreams. Sunny is the story of beating the odds, in the ways that count. It’s the brand-new masterwork from Eisner Award-winner Taiyo Matsumoto, one of Japan’s most innovative and acclaimed manga artists. Translated by Tekkonkinkreet film director Michael Arias!
Source: Variety (Jamie Lang), Anime News Network
