With 1985’s Angel’s Egg (Tenshi no Tamago) OVA returning this year in 4K for its 40th anniversary, the powers that be have also decided to bring back its art book, THE ART OF Tenshi no Tamago, which goes on sale in Japan on October 10 JST. Pre-orders on Amazon Japan opened on September 4 JST, the date of the announcement.
Going by the “zoho kaitei fukkokuban” text on its cover, the reprint is based on the 2004 expanded and revised edition of the art book, which was originally released in 1986. The Tokuma Shoten-published book features original illustrations, “film-making” content, and image boards.
A trailer for Angel’s Egg‘s 4K version was also released.
The 4K restoration of Angel’s Egg will have an advance screening in Japan on November 14 JST before screening nationwide starting on November 21 JST. GKIDS is bringing the OVA to North American screens the same month, on November 19.
The OVA is also bound for New York Film Festival as part of its “Revivals” section. Additionally, it’s headed to Fantastic Fest and the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. It previously had its 4K world premiere at Cannes as part of the Cinéma De La Plage lineup.
Here’s GKIDS’ description of the 4K release:
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.
Forty years after the film’s original release, GKIDS is proud to present an all-new 4K restoration of the film, which is being supervised by director Oshii, in cinemas nationwide for the first time next year.
First released directly to home video in 1985, the film is a creative collaboration between internationally acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), who wrote and directed the feature, and revered artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D). The film beautifully intertwines Oshii’s thematic reflections on philosophy and theology, with Amano’s distinctive ink painting style, culminating in an arrestingly beautiful hand-drawn allegorical fantasy.
In the recent past, Angel’s Egg was screened by Japan Society NYC in 2022. Another screening was held in 2023 and attended by its art director Yoshitaka Amano. A Blu-ray was released in 2013.
Prior to the release of THE ART OF Tenshi no Tamago, Tokuma Shoten published in 1985 a book simply titled Tenshi no Tamago. A user review on Bookmeter describes this release as an “illustrated book” adaptation of the OVA.
Staff
• Director: Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor the Movie)
• Art director: Yoshitaka Amano (Vampire Hunter D and Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales original character designer, Final Fantasy XI character designer)
• Drafts: Mamoru Oshii
• Drafts: Yoshitaka Amano
• Script: Mamoru Oshii
• Background art director and layout supervisor: the late Shichiro Kobayashi (Nodame Cantabile, Simoun, and Berserk 1997 art director)
• Special effects: Go Abe (Revolutionary Girl Utena and His and Her Circumstances co-special effects)
• Color coordinator: the late Michiyo Yasuda (The Wind Rises and Princess Mononoke color designer)
• Director of photography: Juro Sugimura (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
• Music director: Yoshihiro Kanno
• Animation production: Studio Deen
Cast
• Mako Hyodo
• The late Jinpachi Nezu
• Keiichi Noda
Source: @AngelsEgg_anime (via Denfamico Gamer)
