Award-Winning Animated Film ARCO Heads to Japan
The critically acclaimed animated film ARCO, which snagged the Grand Prix (Cristal Award) for feature films at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, scored a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature, landed five nods at the 53rd Annie Awards (often called the Oscars of animation), and is a frontrunner for this year’s Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, is finally hitting Japanese theaters. Titled ARCO / Alco, it opens nationwide on Friday, April 24, starting at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya and other venues.
A Timeless Adventure of Hope and Connection
The story follows a 10-year-old boy named Alco, who tumbles from the sky through a rainbow, crossing time itself, and Iris, a girl struggling to survive in a world ravaged by climate change. Their chance meeting sparks an adventure that promises to change everything.
Star-Studded Backing and Rave Reviews
With Natalie Portman on board as executive producer, CHANEL stepping up as a sponsor, and the indie powerhouse NEON securing distribution rights, the buzz around this film is huge. Festivals worldwide have showered it with praise, calling it “one of the best animated films of the decade,” “an ambitious, one-of-a-kind tale where intellect and emotion collide,” “a vibrant, heart-racing adventure that bridges the worlds of E.T. and Miyazaki Hayao,” and “a moving narrative that elevates modern themes like ecology and AI.”
Get ready for a sci-fi adventure fantasy packed with romance and thrill—a story that’s moved audiences to tears across the globe.
The Vision Behind the Animation
Helming this project is director Uugo Bianvunyu, making his feature-length animation debut. Set in a near-future world, the film tells a strangely nostalgic and warm story of a boy in a rainbow suit and a girl, brought to life through stunningly colorful 2D animation. Bianvunyu chose 2D for its ability to beautifully capture “truth as sensation” rather than mere facts. He aimed to craft a work that both adults and kids can enjoy—a throwback to the adventure stories that stirred his heart in youth, a tale that inspires us to imagine “the day after tomorrow” and yearn for a simpler life where humanity lives in harmony with nature.
Five Years in the Making
After half a decade of dedication, ARCO has emerged as a deeply humanistic story for our times, weaving together imagination, hope, and a sense of responsibility toward the future.
Film Credits
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director / Screenplay | Uugo Bianvunyu |
| Screenplay | Ferikkusu do Jiburii |
| Production | Ferikkusu do Jiburii, Sofii Masu, Natarii Pootoman |
| Animation Director | Adamu Shiraado |
| Editing | Natan Jakado |
| Music | Aruno Turon |
| Year | 2025 |
| Country | France |
| Duration | 88 minutes |
| Color / Aspect Ratio | Color, Vista |
| Sound | 5.1ch Surround |
| Subtitle Translation | Hamamoto Hiroki |
| Original Title | ARCO |
| Film Rating | G |
| Distribution | AMG Entertainment Hark |
© 2025 Remembers / mountainA / France 3 CINEMA
Written by Yoneda Kaori
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