Way back in the late-2000s, I picked up a little manga called Children of the Sea. I would actually be very disappointed, because as beautiful as it was, it would take many years for it to actually complete. While the first four volumes were released several months apart, it would take an extra three years after the publication of the fourth volume in the U.S. to actually get that final volume on bookshelves. As such, it was a story that, to my mind, remains incomplete. But, without a doubt, it featured a very unique aesthetic.

In fact, if you’re used to the more stereotypically-drawn anime characters, this show maybe a bit of a shock to you. Created by Daisuke Igarashi, Children of the Sea, featured an unconventional style that almost feels more at-home in high-art than in traditional manga or animation. His pencil strokes are sketchy, loose, and his imagery fairly abstract in nature, at odds with a lot of what makes anime anime.

And now, it has an animated feature that’s adapted its pages to the big screen. Check out the trailer down below!

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If the trailer doesn’t make it clear what the film is about, check out the official synopsis to Children of the Sea below:

“When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish.”

The movie comes from STUDIO4˚C, who is known for its work on films like The Animatrix and Tekkonkinkreet. With that in mind, it’s no wonder they were the perfect contenders to adapt Igarashi’s unconventional art. Whenever I imagine this studio, I tend to imagine odd, flowy animation with characters that almost don’t seem to have standard bone structures. It’s a style that’s perfect for this property.

Also of note is the composer Joe Hisaishi. He’s known for his collaborations with acclaimed animated Hayao Miyazaki. Given the nature-esque nature of this film, it’s quite the fitting partnership.

As a side note, if you’re interested in the art of Daisuke Igarashi, then I recommend checking out Manben. This show is hosted by thriller master Naoki Urasawa as he discusses the craft of manga-making with top artists.

What do you think of the new film, Children of the Sea? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Children of the Sea hits U.S. theaters on April 20 and 22!

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SOURCE: GKIDS