Following its Digital release in December and yesterday’s announced nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain will be making its Blu-ray debut in North America. From GKIDS with distribution by Shout! Studios, a Radial Entertainment company, the physical release has been confirmed from March 10.
Synopsis: For the first years of her life, Amélie never makes a sound. But when her grandmother visits and offers a miraculous bite of chocolate, Amélie suddenly awakens to all the world’s wonders. As she explores her home in post-war Japan, Amélie forms a close bond with her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, and discovers new delights in every flower petal, koi pond, and raindrop.
Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb and brought to life in the completely original animated style of directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain tells a tender, poignant and visually stunning story about the healing power of human connection.
The voice cast features Loïse Charpentier, Victoria Grobois, Laetitia Coryn, Yumi Fujimori, Marc Arnaud and Emmylou Homs.
The feature directorial debut for both Vallade (The Lighthouse Keeper; layout and storyboard artist on I Lost My Body and Calamity) and Han (animation director on Calamity and Long Way North) made its World Premiere as an Official Selection at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to host its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by its debut as an Official Selection at BFI London Film Festival.
The film has won the audience award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the San Sebastian Film Festival, as well as the Grand Jury Prize at Los Angeles’ Animation Is Film Festival, among many other accolades. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain was nominated for best animated feature at the Golden Globes and European Film Awards, and is currently nominated for the Oscar, multiple Annie Awards and longlisted for the BAFTA.
Blu-ray Special Features:
- Interview with the Directors
- Director Scene Breakdowns
- Art Gallery
- Animation Breakdowns
- Q&A at Animation is Film Festival
