Fathom Entertainment, a distribution company formed through the collaboration of major theater chains Regal Cinemas, AMC, and Cinemark, has established itself as a key player in bringing anime to North American audiences. Known for special re-screenings of classics from Studio Ghibli and new ventures with Aniplex of America, such as anniversary showings of Gurren Lagann, Fathom has become a staple for anime fans.

The company’s latest endeavor, the cyberpunk anime Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl, has sparked significant backlash from fans. Directed by Yasuomi Umetsu and produced by Studio Shaft, the film was available for a limited theatrical run in the U.S. on November 11 and 13. Set in the year 2099, the story explores a world transformed by “Somadea” medical android technology, which, while advancing society, is also exploited for crime. In response, the government implements a Bounty Hunter System. The narrative centers on Ubu Kamigori, a bounty hunter, who is abducted by her competitor, Mr. Elegance. He transfers her consciousness into a robotic body resembling her 14-year-old self and, by controlling her off-switch, forces her into obedience as she plots her escape and revenge.

The uproar over the film’s release is largely due to misleading marketing. Fathom Entertainment and ticketing platforms like Fandango advertised Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl with a runtime of 94 minutes. However, viewers were surprised to find the actual animated content was only around 30-35 minutes, with the rest of the time dedicated to a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring Director Umetsu and Studio Shaft. While promotional materials mentioned the inclusion of exclusive content, they failed to clearly delineate the time allocation. This omission led audiences to feel misled, as they paid typical movie ticket prices, ranging from $15 to $20, for what some perceived as a “TV episode.” Notably, the anime’s 35-minute runtime had been accurately reflected on online resources like Wikipedia and MyAnimeList.

Anime Movie Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl Movie Faces Controversy After U.S. Theatrical Release

Image via Shaft

The core of the controversy surrounding the movie’s release stems from the event’s marketing. Fathom Entertainment, along with ticketing sites like Fandango, listed the runtime for Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl as 94 minutes. Attendees, however, discovered that the actual animated feature was only 30-35 minutes long, with the remaining 60 minutes of the slot filled by an “exclusive” behind-the-scenes documentary with Director Umetsu and Shaft. While the movie’s description did note that it would contain exclusive content, it did not clearly communicate the time split, leading them to pay full movie ticket prices, reportedly between US$15 and US$20, for what they felt was effectively a single “TV episode.” This confusion occurred even as the anime’s actual 35-minute runtime was listed on online databases such as Wikipedia and MyAnimeList.

One moviegoer in particular, who attended the Nov. 13 premiere at Regal Cinema, called out the “bait and switch” by both Fathom and the theater chain. Their Reddit post noted that “this should not have been a theatrical release” and should have instead streamed on “Crunchyroll or HiDive as a special.” The attendee detailed walking out of the 60-minute behind-the-scenes segment and successfully getting a refund for their US$15.75 ticket. Many other viewers reportedly did the same, feeling betrayed by the presentation. These and similar posts circulating online reportedly prompted many potential viewers to either cancel their tickets or skip the theatrical release altogether.

The backlash was particularly amplified by the high anticipation that preceded Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl‘s release. The project is the first directorial work in a decade from Yasuomi Umetsu, a director known for his controversial ’90s OVA Kite and also Mezzo Forte. These works garnered him a cult fandom, as they embraced a unique style of action, paired with a dark tone and graphic violence. Meanwhile, the involvement of anime studio Shaft in the movie also managed to increase the anticipation surrounding the film.

Virgin Punk‘s pre-production reportedly began in 2015, with the goal of allowing Umetsu to fully realize his distinct style. The film itself, while short, boasts 740 cuts and 35,000 drawings in its 30-minute plus runtime — nearly double the cuts of a typical 30-minute broadcast anime episode. Clockwork Girl is the first installment in a planned series, which will explore the setting revolving around Somadea technology. Audiences, however, were expecting a feature-length cinematic event, not the first installment of a series padded with bonus content.