Fruits Basket -prelude-, a special event prequel film to popular anime series Fruits Basket, will debut in select movie theaters in the United States and Canada on June 25, 28, and 29 with tickets on sale Friday, June 3. This US/Canada release will be both subtitled and dubbed in English. The film will also release in the United Kingdom, dubbed only, on July 20 with tickets going on sale Friday, June 3. This will be the first time Fruits Basket -prelude- will debut outside of Japan.

While this is a prequel film, it is also a standalone story, which will take place before Tohru Honda became involved with the Soma Family. Fruits Basket -prelude- is directed by Yoshihide Ibata, with Taku Kishimoto as screenwriter, with character design by Masaru Shindō, art direction by Tamako Kamiyama. The music of the film is composed by Masaru Yokoyama, and the film's theme 'Niji to Kite' ('Rainbow and Kite') is performed by the Ohashi Trio. The original manga was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya.

The official synopsis for Fruits Basket -prelude- reads, " Before there was Tohru and Kyo – there was Katsuya and Kyoko. Discover the turbulent beginning of Tohru’s mom’s dark past, and the man who breathed new hope into her. Watch the evolution of their love story and the birth of the Honda family, as this chapter completes the full adaptation of the heartwarming Fruits Basket story."

The voice cast of this film includes Miyuki Sawashiro and Lydia Mackay as Kyoko Honda, Yoshimasa Hosoya and J. Michael Tatum as Katsuya Honda, Manaka Iwami and Laura Bailey as Tohru Honda, and Yūma Uchida and Jerry Jewell as Kyo Soma. The run time of the film will be 88 minutes.

The next film by anime icon Makoto Shinkai has been confirmed for a worldwide theatrical release, read more about it here.