The year is 2020, three days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. While she should be studying for her exams, Kokone Morikawa is often dozing off, stuck between reality and a dream-world full of fantastic motorized contraptions. But after her father, a talented but mysterious mechanic, is arrested for stealing technology from a powerful corporation, it’s up to Kokone and her childhood friend Morio to save him. Together they realize that Kokone’s dream-world holds the answers to the mystery behind the stolen tech, and they embark on a journey that traverses dreams and reality, city and country, and past and present. Their mission uncovers a trail of clues to her father’s disappearance and ultimately a surprising revelation about Kokone’s family.

From visionary director Kenji Kamiyama (GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX and EDEN OF THE EAST) comes a sci-fi fantasy that effortlessly weaves together the rapidly evolving technology of today’s world with the fantastic imagination of the next generation. With an ambitious mix of multilayered action, whimsical characters and inventive machines, Napping Princess is a genre- and universe-blending film that shows that following your dreams is sometimes the best way to discover your past.

“Succeeds wonderfully… a fun action adventure” (George Art Baker, TIME OUT TOKYO)

“Steampunk dreams and corporate reality wrapped in a modern day fairy tale… enjoy the ride” (Richard Eisenbeis, ANIME NOW!)

"It takes a special, innovative, spectacular kind of film to simultaneously invite comparisons with Sailor Moon, The Wizard of Oz, and Primer." (Irish Times)

Sunday, September 24
Doors 12:45 pm | Movie 1:15 pm

Advance tickets $10 | $12 at the door

*Minors OK in the balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

THE NAPPING PRINCESS (Kenji Yamiyama, 2017 / 110 mins / PG / Japanese with English subtitles) A thrilling sci-fi fantasy set it the near future, which follows the journey of a young girl, Kokone, and her friend Morio, as they set out to find Kokone’s missing father who has been accused of a crime. Kokone soon realizes she must tap into a world only accessible through her dreams in order to solve the mystery.