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Sanrio's Stop-Motion Nutcracker Fantasy Gets New Edition With Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

35 years later, Sanrio is bringing back its 1979 Christmas film Nutcracker Fantasy (Kurumiwari Ningyō) to Japanese theaters in a new edition on Saturday. Sebastian Masuda, an artist (Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's music videos) and leading figure in the "Harajuku Kawaii Culture," is directing the new edition, and singer/model Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is performing the theme song.

The film will open on Saturday in Japan in both 3D and 2D.

Kasumi Arimura (When Marnie Was There) will star as the little girl, Clara, and Tori Matsuzaka (live-action Gatchaman) will play the Nutcracker Prince. The film will also star Takashi Fujii, Takurō Ōno, Kei Aran, Kōtarō Yoshida, Tomomi Itano, Saori Yuki, Ryōko Hirosae, and Masachika Ichimura.

The English version of the stop-motion film screened in Los Angeles last year for the first time since its original release. Takeo Nakamura animated the film using techniques similar to the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer film.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip

[Via Saishin Eiga Jōhō-Kyoku]