The Japan Society has announced it will host the U.S. premiere of Grotesqqque, the original omnibus anime film from director Atsushi Nishigori, on October 8 in New York City. The screening, organized in collaboration with CloverWorks and Aniplex of America, will feature an in-person introduction from Nishigori himself. This event follows the film’s world premiere earlier this year at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
Grotesqqque is structured as an anthology, weaving together three distinct narratives: "A(E)liens," "Yoroshiku★Girl," and "Nocturne: Nuit Grotesque." Nishigori, known for his work on The IDOLM@STER and DARLING in the FRANXX, serves as the film's director, screenwriter, and character designer. The production features musical contributions from the band METALVERSE, who perform the opening theme "Shoot Shoot Shoot," and artist Haoto, who provides the ending theme.
The project is a high-profile release from JOEN, a collaborative production company established by Aniplex, CloverWorks, Wit Studio, and Shueisha. While the film is slated for a wider theatrical release in Japan on November 6, the October 8 event serves as a rare opportunity for U.S. audiences to see the work ahead of its domestic debut.
Why it matters: The involvement of the JOEN collective—which unites major industry players like Wit Studio and CloverWorks—suggests a significant push for original IP development. It remains to be seen if this omnibus format will serve as a template for future collaborative projects between these studios.
