Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Reunion Movie

"10 years off the block, and they'll soon rock."

- Poster tagline

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (marketed as Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Movie) is a 2016 animated musical comedy film based on the series of the same name by Sam Register, along with the Japanese pop rock band Puffy AmiYumi. The film was directed by Tim Hill and produced by Register and Gabe Frost. Starring Janice Kawaye, Grey Griffin, and Keone Young reprising their roles, as well as newcomers Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, and Dane Cook, the film is set ten years after the finale of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi. Musicians Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura reunite as Puffy to partake in the upcoming Happy Daze Festival in Tokyo, where they discover something unexpected by the host.

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi premiered in Tokyo, Japan on March 31, 2016, and was released theatrically in the United States on April 8, 2016. It received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized its script and animation, but praised its voice acting and music. It grossed $65 million worldwide on a $24 million budget, making it a box-office success. Despite discussions and rumors, a sequel is not in development.

Synopsis
"It's been twelve years since the iconic Japanese duo Puffy AmiYumi became a worldwide sensation. Now, musicians Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura are back to attend the first-ever Happy Daze Festival in Tokyo, hosted by Larry Cross. However, something lurking under the shadows will make the duo wonder if this festival is what it seems."

-Warner Bros. Pictures

Plot
In 1995, fellow classmates Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura meet after the latter saves the former from a group of bullies. Ami thanks Yumi for saving her, making the two become friends. After discovering they have the same music taste, the two form a small indie band titled Puffy AmiYumi, working their way up to the top, and eventually, becoming world-renowned musicians.

Twenty-one years later, in 2016, Ami and Yumi are now living their own lives after disbanding ten years prior. Yumi has formed a new indie band titled "Rockstar Delinquents", while Ami hosts her own talk show called "AmiVenture". After the two receive a letter from an unknown person, telling them to meet in New York City, they embrace and talk about what they've been doing ever since their split. They later find out that the letter sent to the two was from their former manager, Kaz Harada, who wanted to reunite them so that they could play at the Happy Daze Festival, an upcoming music festival hosted by millionaire Larry Cross in Tokyo. They accept the invitation.

News spread out about the Happy Daze Festival, along with the reunion of Puffy AmiYumi, sparking wild reactions from fans. Ami reveals to Yumi that after accepting the invitation, she was writing a new song to play exclusively at the festival, to Yumi's interest. They later receive a phone call from Cross, who tells them the festival will begin next week. Ami and Yumi arrive in Tokyo three days later, happy to be back home again. They run into Cross in-person, along with the other musicians: David Reynolds, an R&B musician, and Carrie Almer, a pop musician. Ami suspects something off about Cross, who had acted very suspicious during their conversation. They begin rehearsals as soon as Cross exits the stage.

Ami, Yumi, and Kaz have dinner with David and Carrie at a seafood restaurant by the harbor, where they notice a TV broadcast stating that the CIA are looking for a feared man whose whereabouts are currently unknown, but have similar identities with Cross. Yumi notices that the man looks like Cross, but dismisses it, saying it's just a coincidence. Meanwhile, a man views over what appears to look like a bomb rigged under the festival grounds. He then says that time is ticking for the musicians and everyone who will visit the festival soon.

TBA.

Voice cast
The real Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura appear in voice cameos as an employee in a booth stand and a stagehand respectively.
 * Janice Kawaye as Ami Onuki, a peppy, optimistic, and cute girl with pink-colored hair and eyes.
 * Grey Griffin as Yumi Yoshimura, a cynical, sarcastic, and tomboy with blue hair and eyes.
 * Justin Timberlake as David Reynolds, a famed R&B musician.
 * Ariana Grande as Carrie Almer, a popular pop musician.
 * Dane Cook as "Larry Cross", a millionaire who hosts the Happy Daze Festival.
 * Keone Young as Kaz Harada, Puffy's well-intentioned yet money-grubbing manager.
 * Sandy Fox as Harmony, Puffy's "number one" fan.
 * Lara Jill Miller as Julie, Yumi's "friend."
 * Rob Paulsen as Atchan, an old childhood friend of Ami and Yumi.
 * Brent Musburger
 * Additional voices:
 * Roger Craig Smith
 * Samuel Vincent
 * John DiMaggio
 * Kate Micucci
 * Charlyne Yi
 * Tara Strong
 * Hynden Walch
 * Brad Garrett
 * Fred Tatasciore

Development
In late 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures announced a feature film based on the 2004 series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi as a sequel for the show, taking place ten years after the end of the series. Series creator Sam Register served as producer and executive producer for the film.

Casting
At the announcement of the film, Janice Kawaye and Grey Griffin were announced to reprise their roles as Ami and Yumi respectively, along with Keone Young as Kaz. In February 2015, comedian Dane Cook was announced to voice the film's main antagonist, Larry Cross. Then, in June that year, singers Justin Timberlake and Ariana Grande were to voice David Reynolds and Carrie Almer respectively.

Animation
Animation was provided by Cartoon Network Studios and Renegade Animation.

Music
On November 2, 2015, it was announced that the real Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura would compose the film's soundtrack. The soundtrack was released through WaterTower Music on April 15, 2016.

Onuki and Yoshimura performed a Japanese-language cover of "Nothing Can Stop Me Now" by Mark Holman.

Release
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi premiered in Tokyo, Japan on March 31, 2016, where the real Puffy AmiYumi held a thirty-minute concert before the actual film's premiere. It was released theatrically in the United States on April 8, 2016.

Home media
Warner Home Video released the film on digital download, Blu-ray and DVD on June 30, 2016. Extras for the Blu-ray include audio commentary, deleted scenes, and an all-new short film titled Puffy Stunts. It revolves around Ami and Yumi filling in for an absent stunt duo, only for it to turn into a complete disaster.

Box office
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi grossed $30 million in the United States and Canada, and $35 million in other countries, for a total gross of $65 million.

Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 48% based on 155 reviews, with an average rating of 5.35/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi has excellent songs and voices, but it does not make up for the offkey dialogue and animation." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 46 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.