GKids Is Bringing Mamoru Oshii’s Angel’s Egg to North American Theaters

Mamoru Oshii is one of the most celebrated anime filmmakers of all time, thanks to films like Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor that blend sci-fi action, heady philosophical themes, and stunning visuals. Oshii’s filmography is a veritable cornucopia of must-see material for any anime fan. Ironically, one of his earliest works has been all-but-impossible to see: 1985’s Angel’s Egg.

A collaboration with artist Yoshitaka Amano (best known for his illustrations for the Final Fantasy video game franchise), Angel’s Egg was originally a straight-to-video title that got a limited release in Japanese theaters. Bizarre and ambiguous, Angel’s Egg helped solidify Oshii’s reputation as a filmmaker even though it’s been rarely seen since its release.

To celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary, GKids has remastered Angel’s Egg in 4K and is planning a nationwide theatrical release — which marks the first time the film has played in North American theaters. Here’s GKids’ official synopsis:

In an underwater city, a young girl takes care of a large egg she holds carefully in her arms — a treasure that she believes is an angel’s egg. A boy with a gun arrives in search of a bird he saw in his dream. At first it seems as if feelings of sympathy are developing between the two. Then, one night, the boy crushes her precious egg.

The Angel’s Egg theatrical screenings will begin on November 19, though exact cities and theaters have yet to be announced.