New Minky Momo OVA Sets November Theatrical Release, 32 Years After Last Entry
The OVA revives a dormant franchise at a moment when the magical girl genre is seeing renewed interest, and its plot explicitly critiques social media validation culture, updating the series' themes for a modern audience.
Reporting from 4 sources: Eiga Natalie, Denfaminicogamer, Anime Hack (anime.eiga.com), Anime Anime.
Ashi Productions announced on May 30 that a new OVA for "Magical Princess Minky Momo" will hit theaters on November 13, 2026. The project, titled "Magical Princess Minky Momo: Toward the Dream We Long For - Duet of Sincerity," is the first completely new OVA in 32 years, following 1994's "Minky Momo in The Station of Departure." It commemorates the 50th anniversary of Ashi Productions' founding. The story takes place in Desirnasa, a dream-powered land facing extinction as humans lose hope. On her 12th birthday, Momo receives a smartphone and awakens as Minky Momo after meeting three companions: Chamocha, Dettabook, and Pipirup. She begins collecting dream energy but grows suspicious of a mysterious app spreading "shallow dreams" driven by approval and numbers. Kunihiko Yuyama, chief director of the 1991 series, provided a comment and illustration to mark Momo's birthday on May 30. The OVA is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with character designs by Hiroshi Watanabe and Mari Tominaga, and a script by Deko Akao. A fan art campaign runs until June 24 on X, with selected works appearing in the theater pamphlet.
The new OVA is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, known for "Children of the Sea," with character designs by Hiroshi Watanabe and Mari Tominaga, and a script by Deko Akao. Sound direction is handled by Masakatsu Shimizu through Zack Promotion, with music by Tomoki Hasegawa. Production is by Ashi Productions, with design cooperation from Studio Live. The production committee is FPMM Committee, and distribution is handled by Movic and Gigli Box.
Kunihiko Yuyama, chief director of the 1991 series, provided a comment and hand-drawn illustration. "Minky Momo comes when you least expect it... when everyone's dreams and hope are about to fade," Yuyama said. He added, "I'm looking forward to it!"
The fan art campaign runs on the official X account (@minkymomo_ap) until June 24 at 23:59. Fans must follow the account, post with the hashtag "#MinkyMomo_FAProject," and submit via a Google Forms link. Director Watanabe and the management will select several works for the theater pamphlet.
The OVA will screen at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo and other theaters. The franchise has official accounts on Instagram and TikTok as well. The story follows Momo on her 12th birthday receiving a smartphone, then awakening as Minky Momo after meeting three companions: Chamocha, Dettabook, and Pipirupu. A mysterious app spreads "shallow dreams" driven by approval and numbers, leading Momo to question what people truly want.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Eiga Natalie 「ミンキーモモ」新作OVA公開は11月、過去シリーズ総監督・湯山邦彦から期待コメント
- Denfaminicogamer 『ミンキーモモ』完全新作OVA『憧れの夢へ まごころの二重奏（デュオ）』が11月13日に劇場公開決定。前シリーズで総監督をつとめた湯山邦彦氏のコメントも到着
- Anime Hack (anime.eiga.com) 「魔法のプリンセス ミンキーモモ」新作OVA、11月13日に劇場公開 前シリーズの総監督・湯山邦彦氏からコメント到着
- Anime Anime 「ミンキーモモ」32年ぶり完全新作OVA、11月13日より劇場公開！前シリーズ総監督・湯山邦彦からコメント到着