Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (film)

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is a 2003 American animated adventure comedy film based on the Japanese pop rock group Puffy AmiYumi. It was directed by Scott O'Brien, produced by Renegade Animation and Cartoon Network and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with animation provided by Rough Draft Studios. The film features a ensemble cast with Janice Kawaye and Grey DeLisle as the main characters, alongside Keone Young, Jeffrey Tambor, Renée Zellweger, Patrick Warburton, Susan Egan, Olivia Holt, Bebe Neuwirth, Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Stoller, Raven-Symoné, Bella Thorne, Rob Paulsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Garrett, Andy Dick, Tom Kenny, Angela Bassett, Melba Moore, Phil LaMarr, Aubrey Plaza, and John Rhys-Davies. In Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Ami goes out on a journey of twists with her friend, Yumi and turns to get back Kaz Industries after his second-in-command replacement, Julie.

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was released on July 18, 2003 by Warner Bros. Pictures. It received generally positive reviews and was a box office success, grossing $173 million worldwide against a $76 million budget and later gaining a cult following through television syndication and its home video release. This film along with fellow Victor Hugo Pictures animated film Super Hedgehog, Sony Pictures's The Triplets of Belleville, Disney's Brother Bear and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo were nominated for the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003, ultimately losing to Finding Nemo. It was the second Cartoon Network theatrical film, first being The Powerpuff Girls Movie. The film made its television debut on Cartoon Network on November 12, 2004 to promote the TV Series based on this film.

Due to its success, the film was spun off into a Cartoon Network television series titled Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which premiered on November 19, 2004 and ended on June 27, 2006. A sequel, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi 2, was released on September 8, 2006.

Plot
In 1992, Ami Onuki is an aspiring young musician from Machida, Tokyo who idolizes Kaz, an duo's well-intentioned yet money-grubbing manager, whose successes are usually balanced out by his foolish decisions, Ami buy a cat named Tekirai to assist her father Phil Onuki. When Phil's neighborhood confronts them, Tekirai panics and wreaks havoc in the outside, leaving Phil in debt. To help Phil pay for the damages and starting to be singer and musician, Ami decides to move to United States, hoping to present Tekirai to Kaz Industries in order to get a job there; despite objections from her mother Jane, Phil encourages Ami to pursue her dream, as he gave up her musical ambitions for forming a band and has regretted it ever since. Upon arrival at United States, Ami is kicked out from Kaz Industries by her second-in-command Julie, who in Kaz's absence has stopped producing band, thereby "Pop rock" band who are unable or refuse to play for them. Juile's father, Bill Blake, runs the Abandon Shop, a facility that collects scrap and broken parts with trucks, and melts them to create ashes.

Ami meets Yumi Yoshimura under friendly circumstances; after her interest in rock music, he is taken in by Yumi and his fellow friends, known collectively as the "Gangs" (Which they don't appears on TV show itself): her brother John, Wendy, Marshall, Sara, and their boarding father Uncle James. Word of Ami and Yumi becoming bandmates, and both is hailed as a local band after she and the gang help to make theirself into pop rock band, although they are eventually unable to cope with the demand due to the rock shortage. Ami also receives news that Phil is in dire need of rock band. Hoping to enlist Kaz's help, Ami and Yumi attend the Kaz concert (where he is reputed to make an appearance), only for Julie to announce that he will not attend. Enraged, Ami publicly berates Julie, who orders her security team to eliminate him. Ned Davidson (Which is also not appear on TV show itself), a Kaz Industries executive opposed to Juliet's plans, rescues Ami and Yumi.

Yumi is captured by a truck and taken to the Abandon Shop, where she discovers Bill and Julie's plan to use a heavily-armed fleet of Super-trucks to destroy all of instruments throughout the city in order to make them into more ashes, and escapes. Meanwhile, Ami and Ned fly to Kaz's mansion, where Ami confronts Kaz, imploring him to return to Kaz Industries. A disgruntled Kaz reveals that Julie's greed and business sense won over his idealism in the management of Kaz Industries, and orders Ami to leave. Crushed, Ami calls her parents, intending to return to Machida, Tokyo, but Phil convinces her to stay and fight for his dreams. As the Gangs arrive to bid Ami farewell, Yumi reveals Bill and Julie's plot; Ami rallies Ned and the Gangs to stop them. They are soon joined by Kaz, who has regained his resolve, having realized how much he and his ideals meant to Ami.

The group returns to Kaz Industries where Kaz fires Julie, but Julie knocks him unconscious, planning on arrested him as well. Ami, Ned and the Gangs (who have left John and Uncle James behind for their safety) rescue Kaz, but Julie intercepts them and chases them towards the Abandon Shop, where Kaz drops off their magnet truck and rolls into the processing area. After creating improvised weapons, Ami, Ned and the Gangs confront Bill before he can melt him down in her furnace. Outnumbered by Bill's workers, John and Uncle James join them with an army of grateful people that Puffy AmiYumi had become more popular. Ned, the gangs and the people battle the workers while Jang-Keng and Tekirai duels with Bill, who is destroyed when he falls into his own furnace; Ami and Kaz immobilize the Super-trucks and defeat Julie, leaving her tied up and hanging from the ceiling alongside her more polite mother, Taking control of Kaz Industries once again, Kaz promises to become a manager, available to Ami and Yumi.

Later, Kaz holds a public ceremony in Machida, Tokyo, where he nominates Ami and Yumi as his new second-in-command and eventual successor. Phil provides Ami with new leader; as a final gift thanking her for always believing in her, he gives her a Guitar instrument to fulfill her dreams of being a pop rock band. After a shaky start, Ami leads her family, Ned, Yumi and her gangs, Kaz and the townspeople in a rousing rendition of "Bad to the Bone".

In the mid-credits scene, Julie asks where Bill is. her mother states that her father died, Julie groans.

Cast

 * Janice Kawaye as Ami Onuki, an idealistic young pink-haired girl and aspiring musician.
 * Lorraine Nicholson as Young Ami
 * Liliana Mumy as Younger Ami
 * Grace Rolek as Youngest Ami
 * Jeffrey Tambor as Ned Davidson, a level-headed executive at Kaz Industries and Ami's love interest, However, He is not appear on TV Series of the same name.
 * Grey DeLisle as Yumi Yoshimura, a mature blue-haired girl who befriends Ami.
 * Keone Young as Kaz, a money-grubbing manager and the owner of Kaz Industries.
 * Aubrey Plaza as Julie Lorelei, the treacherous, greedy right-hand-man of Kaz, and Bill Blake's daughter, She was also voiced Lara Jill Miller on TV Series of the same name.
 * John Rhys-Davies as Bill Blake, the tyrannical owner of the Abandon Shop.
 * Patrick Warburton as John Yoshimura, a feisty red-haired boy who is Yumi's younger brother.
 * Renée Zellweger as Wendy, a pessimistic yellow-haired girl who befriends Ami.
 * Fred Stoller as Uncle James, a fatherly guy who takes in boy and girl.
 * Rob Paulsen as Marshall, a large, friendly orange-haired boy who befriends Ami along with his mute companion Sara.
 * Samuel L. Jackson as Phil Onuki, Ami's father.
 * Dianne Wiest as Jane Onuki, Ami's mother.
 * Frank Welker as Tekirai, Ami's pet cat and sidekick.
 * Welker also voices a Jang-Keng.
 * Brad Garrett as Mike Darling, a receptionist at Kaz Industries and Yumi's love interest.
 * Andy Dick as Don, the gate keeper at Kaz Industries
 * Tom Kenny as Corey Proctor, Phil's rude, inconsiderate boss.

Additional Voices

 * Jim Cummings
 * Carlos Alazraqui
 * Fred Tatasciore
 * Rob Paulsen
 * Kimberly Brooks
 * Bob Bergen
 * Richard Steven Horvitz
 * Jeff Fischer
 * André Sogliuzzo
 * Pat Fraley
 * Candi Milo
 * Bradley Pierce
 * Laraine Newman
 * Michael Sorich
 * Kath Soucie
 * Tom Kane
 * Bill Farmer
 * Justin Shenkarow
 * Teresa Ganzel
 * Sherry Lynn
 * Nika Futterman
 * Michael Beattie
 * Cathy Cavadini
 * Philip Proctor
 * Maurice LaMarche
 * Roger L. Jackson
 * J. Grant Albrecht
 * Susan Blu
 * Cree Summer
 * Jess Harnell
 * Danny Mann
 * Phil LaMarr
 * John Kassir
 * Jack Angel

Development
Scott O'Brien, Michelle Lamoreaux and Robert Lamoreaux started working on the film in 1997, when O'Brien came up with the idea. In May 1999, Variety reported that O'Brien would direct in his directorial debut on an animated musical comedy film based on the Japanese rock band. It was once expected to be released in 2002 under the title Puffy AmiYumi.

In November 2001, Warner Bros. Pictures and Cartoon Network revealed the film's new title to be Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which would be produced by Sam Register, with Ramsey Ann Naito, Michael Ouweleen, and John Pomeroy writing the film's screenplay. In April 2002, it was announced that Adam Beechen would be added as story.

Casting
In January 2001, it was announced that actress Debi Derryberry and Grey DeLisle was cast as Ami and Yumi, This is Debi Derryberry fifth animated feature film role after Babe, Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. However, on July 11, 2001, Derryberry was too busy voicing for other projects, such as Jay Jay The Jet Plane,  Grim and Evil, and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and the new actress for Ami was yet to be announced. By October 2001, it was later announced that Janice Kawaye would replace the late Derryberry. The rest of the cast was announced in March 2002.

Soundtrack

 * Main article: Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (film)/Soundtrack

The film's score was composed by Danny Elfman. Michelle Lamoreaux and Robert Lamoreaux wrote the songs for the film. The score was released on July 11, 2003.

Release
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was initially scheduled to be released on July 25, 2003, but was pushed back two weeks earlier to July 11, 2003 before being pushed back to its current date of July 18, 2003. The film was released one months ago in Japan on June 20, 2003, Also The film was released eight months later in China on February 12, 2004. A short animated film starring Coyote and Roadrunner titled The Whizzard of Ow accompanied Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi during its theatrical release.

Marketing
The film was backed by a large marketing campaign, with various merchandise becoming available throughout 2003, Such as:
 * The film's first teaser trailer was released with The Powerpuff Girls Movie on July 3, 2002, and was also shown before Stuart Little 2, The Country Bears, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, Pokémon 4Ever, and Tuck Everlasting.
 * The first theatrical trailer was attached on November 1, 2002, and was shown before The Santa Clause 2, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Treasure Planet, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, Kangaroo Jack, The Jungle Book 2 and Agent Cody Banks.
 * A second theatrical trailer was attached on March 21, 2003, and was shown Piglet's Big Movie, Holes, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Daddy Day Care, Pokémon Heroes, and Finding Nemo.
 * TV Spots began to air between June and July 2003.
 * Burger King, having put 9 toys for their Kids' Meal in the US and UK. The toys are Ami, Yumi, Ned, Kaz, Julie, Bill Blake, Tekirai, and Jang-Keng.
 * in the US and UK Mattel release Action-Figures, Toys and Board Games (Which is shown on here, expect Board Games, along with other characters from the film like Ned, Julie, Bill Blake, John, Wendy, Marshall and Uncle James)
 * in the US and UK Kellogg's cereals have one of 11 Mini Plushes including Ami, Yumi, Ned, Kaz, Julie, Bill Blake, Tekirai, Jang-Keng, John, Wendy and Marshall

Home media
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was released in the United States on DVD and VHS on November 18, 2003. The release included a new short film titled Game Girls.

The film was re-issued on DVD on August 8, 2006. It includes a movie ticket to its sequel Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi 2. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 30, 2013 to promote the 10th Anniversary of this film.

Video game
A video game based on the film was published by Midway Games and released on June 21, 2003 for the Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox.

Critical reception
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi has received positive reviews from critics. Based on 183 reviews, the film holds an approval rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 6.3/10, with the consensus stating "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi rides the beginning of the AmiYumi to grand effect, and the final result is an emotionally effective, visually stunning, and wholly witty adaptation that will satisfy both children and nostalgic adults." On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has an average score of 73 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Box office
The film grossed $38,492,693 on its opening day (Friday, July 18, 2003), being released in 5,300 theaters. The film grossed $364,353,036 in North America and $258,036,472 in other countries, with a total gross of $746,600,856 worldwide, making it the eighth highest-grossing film of 2003.

Accolades
Coming soon!

Sequel

 * Main articles: Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi 2

A sequel titled Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi 2 was released on September 8, 2006. It was directed again by Scott O'Brien, written by Michelle Lamoreaux, and Robert Lamoreaux and produced by Sam Register, Ramsey Ann Naito, and Michael Ouweleen. Janice Kawaye, Grey DeLisle, Keone Young, Jeffrey Tambor, Renée Zellweger, Patrick Warburton, and Fred Stoller reprised their roles as Ami, Yumi, Kaz, Ned, John, Wendy and Uncle James, respectively. New cast members include Anna Faris as Jennifer Bergen, Donald Sutherland as Jessie Winter, Brandy Norwood as Danny Cygan, and Peter Stormare as Eldwin Blair.

Television series

 * Main articles: Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

On February 26, 2004, it was confirmed that a television series based on the film is being produced and will premiere on Cartoon Network in November 19 2004 until June 27, 2006.

More Coming Soon.