Hal (2013 Animated Film)

Hal, also known by its Japanese title Haru (ハル), is a 2013 Japanese animated science fiction romance film directed by Ryotaro Makihara and written by Izumi Kizara. Distributed by Shochiku, the film has a runtime of 60 minutes and was released in theaters in Japan on June 8, 2013.

Promotional visual for the 2013 animated film Hal

Plot Synopsis

The story follows Kurumi, a young woman who loses her boyfriend, Hal, in a tragic airplane accident. Overcome by grief, she withdraws from society and locks herself away from the world. In an effort to heal her broken heart, her grandfather intervenes by sending an android named Q01, designed to appear exactly like Hal, to live with her.

Voice Cast

The Japanese voice cast includes:

Yoshimasa Hosoya as Hal
Yoko Hikasa as Kurumi
Mamoru Miyano as Ryuu
Tamio Oki as Tokio
Shinpachi Tsuji as Aranami
Rin Mizuhara as Tsukiko
Hikari Yono as Rumiko
Uko Tachibana as Erika
Shoko Tsuda as Mami
Ikki as Nepali
Kanami Satou as Megane
Hiroki Goto as Maru
Anrisa Nishiguchi as Hat
Ryo Kuratomi as Ryuu's Friend

Film Festival Screenings

Following its Japanese theatrical release, Hal was screened at international film festivals in 2014. These included the 30th Imagine: Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival held from April 9 to April 18, 2014, and the 18th Fantasia Film Festival, which marked its North American premiere running from July 17 to August 7, 2014.