The anime feature 'Cosmic Princess Kaguya!' will premiere exclusively on Netflix on January 22, marking the directorial debut of Shingo Yamashita. A new trailer for the film has been released, highlighting its blend of music, virtual worlds, and adventure. The story centers on a high school student who encounters a mysterious girl from the moon.
Shingo Yamashita, recognized for his opening sequences in anime series such as 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 1, 'Chainsaw Man,' and 'Urusei Yatsura,' makes his feature directorial debut with 'Cosmic Princess Kaguya!.' The film arrives on Netflix on January 22, produced by Studio Colorido and Twin Engine, with animation handled by Studio Colorido and Yamashita's new Studio Chromato. Studio Colorido previously worked on films like 'Penguin Highway' and 'A Whisker Away.'
The narrative follows Iroha Sakayori, a 17-year-old Tokyo high school student juggling part-time work and studies. She escapes into the virtual platform Tsukuyomi, managed by popular streamer Yachiyo Runami, where users engage in creative activities and battle games. One day, Iroha discovers a glowing telephone pole from which an infant emerges. Taking the baby home, she watches it rapidly grow into a girl her own age, named Kaguya.
Kaguya, with a self-indulgent streak, convinces Iroha to assist in launching her streaming career on Tsukuyomi. Iroha takes on roles as producer and songwriter, while Kaguya performs as streamer and singer. The duo builds a strong bond amid the dreamlike virtual world, unaware of dark forces aiming to send Kaguya back to the moon. The story explores connections formed through music, combining emotional depth with 3D action and Yamashita's stylized visuals.
The Japanese voice cast features Natsuyoshi Yuko as Kaguya, Anna Nagase as Iroha Sakayori, and Saori Hayami as Yachiyo Runami, with additional voices including Miyu Irino, Yuma Uchida, and Rie Kugimiya. The English dub includes Jeannie Tirado as Kaguya, Dawn Bennett as Iroha, and Ryan Bartley as Yachiyo. Saeri Natsuo co-wrote the screenplay with Yamashita. Key staff members encompass Hechima for Tsukuyomi character designs, Nagae Akihiro for reality designs, and Conisch for the score.
Music plays a central role, with the theme song 'Ex-Otogibanashi' performed by Hayami as Yachiyo Runami. Original songs come from Vocaloid producers including ryo of supercell, kz of livetune, 40mP, HoneyWorks, Aqu3ra, and yuigot. Naoya Nakayama oversaw musical performances, emphasizing the film's music-driven animation.
