An award-winning highlight of the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, this dazzling anime epic follows the life of a legendary figure in Japanese history: Inu-Oh, “King Dog,” a dramatic performer in 14th century Japan. Though he was extremely popular in that era, very few documents about Inu-Oh’s life have survived, leaving room for Masaaki Yuasa’s bold vision to paint on screen the extraordinary story of a prodigy who is lost in time, and whose explosive creativity gave birth to an art form.
Born to an esteemed family, Inu-oh is afflicted with an ancient curse that has left him on the margins of society. When he meets the blind musician Tomona, a young biwa priest haunted by his past, Inu-oh discovers a captivating ability to dance. The pair quickly become business partners and inseparable friends as crowds flock to their electric, larger-than-life concerts. But when those in power threaten to break up the band, Inu-oh and Tomona must dance and sing to uncover the truth behind their creative gifts. Featuring awe-inspiring vocals by Avu-chan (Queen Bee) and Mirai Moriyama, Inu-Oh is a glam-rock ode to the power of music and a forceful statement on artistic freedom from one of animation’s singular talents.
