Cincinnati Anime Film Festival Releases Inaugural Screening Lineup

The inaugural Cincinnati Anime Film Festival is coming this summer with a lineup of screenings for all ages that spans two months. Organizers released the lineup for the festival this week.

College Hill comic book shop Manga Manga is hosting the festival, which will be held at the Hollywood Drive-in Theatre, just behind Manga Manga, with weekly screenings beginning July 11 and running through Aug. 8. Kicking off the festival on Thursday, July 11 will be Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light , an adventure-fantasy film based on Kazuki Takahashi’s Yu-Gi-Oh! manga and fictional trading card game.

The rest of the lineup includes:

• Thursday, July 18: Spirited Away: Live on Stage (starring Kanna Hashimoto)
• Saturday, July 20: Spirited Away: Live on Stage (starring Mone Kamishiraishi)
• Thursday, July 25: The First Slam Dunk
• Thursday, Aug. 1: Metropolis
• Thursday, Aug. 8: Weathering with You

With the exception of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light, all movies will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. All screenings start at 8:45 p.m., with the entrance to the parking lot opening at 7:30 p.m. Manga Manga will stay open until 9 p.m. on screening nights, with many of the manga versions of the films available to purchase.

Manga Manga also plans to host a free festival wrap-up celebration on its patio Friday, Aug. 9 from 6-8 p.m. where attendees can discuss the movies.

Tickets for the Cincinnati Anime Film Festival are on sale now for $25 per car, or $6 if you want to bring your own chair and radio. You can get tickets online here or at the door.

Manga Manga, 5908 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. More info: cincyanimefilmfest.com.