Hinako Sugiura’s historical manga series titled Sarusuberi, based off true events, is getting adapted into a full-length animated film titled Miss Hokusai. The first trailer has been posted by Japan’s Cinema Today, which gives a gist of the story. Miss Hokusai’s plot centers on the life of famed Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, who is known for various Chinese-style paintings.
Hokusai’s works include Old Tiger in The Snow, Plum Blossom and the Moon, Boy on Mount Fuji, Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife (catalyzed the “tentacle rape” craze in hentai), Philosopher Watching a Pair of Butterflies, Bell-Flower and Dragon Fly, Weeping Cherry and Bullfinch, Shower Below the Summit, Poet Li Po, Hibiscus and Sparrow, Cranes on a Snowy Pine, and many more.
But it is an uncommon fact, which only a few people are privy to, that Hokusai was assisted by one of his daughters.
Miss Hokusai focuses on the life of O-Ei Katsushika, the third of Hokusai’s fourth daughters, who inherited her father’s talent and stubborn nature. Hokusai became famous, but O-Ei ended up being uncredited for her contribution to his works.
Sugiura tells O-Ei’s story through Sarusuberi, which will be known on the screen as Miss Hokusai.
The manga ran from 1983 to 1987.
Japan will get to see the movie first on May 9th, but do not be sad if you live outside the country.
It will see an international release, too, thanks to Production I.G. The company will be handling international distribution of the film, which means that Miss Hokusai will be released to the United States and Canada.
But no dates have been confirmed yet.
If you live in the United Kingdom, then you can check out Miss Hokusai this fall. Anime Limited will handle film distribution in the UK.