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Hoshi ni Negai o Dōjin Anime to Hit Japanese Theaters (Updated)

A Japanese theatrical release for Barnum Laboratory's dojin (self-produced) anime Hoshi ni Negai o: Fantastic Cat has been green-lit for the end of August. Blu-ray Disc pre-orders will be accepted starting on August 1, and the Yahoo! streaming service in Japan will distribute the anime from August 3 to September 30. Barnum (under the former name Barnum Studio) has been developing the Hoshi ni Negai o ("Wish Upon a Star") "experimental indie anime" project with 3D computer graphics since last year. A promotional video is available on Barnum's web site.

Barnum was founded by Galaxy Angel producer Tetsuro Satomi, and it has worked on Kyōran Kazoku Nikki, Kemeko Deluxe!, sola, and the Devil May Cry television series. Miyuki Sawashiro (Di Gi Charat's Petit CHARAT, Galaxy Angel's Mint, Strike Witches' Perrine) is starring as the lead character Hikari. Kyōko Hikami (Wedding Peach's title character, Di Gi Charat's Hikaru) is playing Mari, and Tōru Ohkawa (Fullmetal Alchemist's Roy, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex's Saito) is playing Romeo. Rokurō Naya (Zatch Bell's Nazonazo, Karas' Chief) and Emiri Katō (Lucky Star's Kagami, Candy Boy's Sakuya Kamiyama) round out the cast as Raven and Lily, respectively. Kazuya Ichikawa (Shadow Skill: Kuruda-ryu Kousatsu-hou no Himitsu director, Appleseed: Ex Machina CG layout and motion team leader) is directing the project.

Source: Saishin Anime Jōhō

Image © 2009 Barnum Laboratory

Update: More background information and new image added.