Sunao Katabuchi screens pilot for "The Mourning Children" at the Kyoto Manga and Anime Fair

During the Kyoto International Manga & Anime Fair 2023, the pilot material for the upcoming film "The Mourning Children," directed by Sunao Katabuchi, was released. The preview lasts about three and a half minutes and features a group of children, including a girl who appears to have died from a plague. Ominous sky patterns hinting at bad omens are also captured. The video ends with the character Sei Shonagon writing something, followed by an excerpt from her classic work "The Pillow Book."



In addition to the pilot footage, a comment from director Katabuchi has been included. Yuji Kaneko, known for his art direction in anime such as "Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island" or "Let Me Hear Your Song," will also be working on the project.

The film, which has been in the works for six years, is set in Kyoto a millennium ago and focuses on the daily life of Sei Shonagon, the author of "The Pillow Book." The film is currently in production and is based on extensive research and a meticulous analysis of historical documents by director Katabuchi.