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Cosmic Princess Kaguya

Facts

Noted
early contender for best anime film of 2026 · 2026-05-30
Noted
Anime Feminist published a review of the film "Cosmic Princess Kaguya," calling it a sapphic musical animated movie that ranks among the best anime films of 2026. · 2026-05-30
Noted
The review describes the story as a retelling of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" set in a near-future Japan where high schooler Iroha Sakayori, living independently to escape an abusive mother, finds a baby in a bamboo box attached to a telephone pole. · 2026-05-30
Noted
The review praises the soundtrack, composed by Ryo of Supercell alongside multiple Vocaloid producers and Conisch · 2026-05-30
Noted
The reviewer gives the film a 4.5 out of 5 star equivalent, calling it fun, colorful, and openly queer · 2026-05-30
Release
movie · 2026 · worldwide · 2026-05-30
Release
movie · 2026-01-22 · global · 2026-05-30
Release
movie · 2026-02-20 to 2026-02-26 · Japan · 2026-05-30

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All coverage

1h ago

Cosmic Princess Kaguya Review Calls It a Queer Musical Triumph

Anime Feminist published a review of the film "Cosmic Princess Kaguya," calling it a sapphic musical animated movie that ranks among the best anime films of 2026. The review describes the story as a retelling of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" set in a near-future Japan where high schooler Iroha Sakayori, living independently to escape an abusive mother, finds a baby in a bamboo box attached to a telephone pole. That baby grows into a girl who is Princess Kaguya, and together they create music, stream online, and fight to keep Kaguya on Earth rather than return to the moon. The review praises the soundtrack, composed by Ryo of Supercell alongside multiple Vocaloid producers and Conisch, and notes the English dub features voice actors including Dawn M. Bennett, Anairis Quiñones, Max Mittleman, and A.J. Beckles. The reviewer gives the film a 4.5 out of 5 star equivalent, calling it fun, colorful, and openly queer, though noting the final twenty minutes feel muddled due to a time skip. The review emphasizes the film's themes of found family, community, and love.

1h ago

Anime Feminist Round-Up Covers Mental Health Games, Ultra Maniac, and Dubbing

Anime Feminist's February 11-24 round-up features a review of Cosmic Princess Kaguya, described as an early contender for best anime film of 2026, and an essay on Vinland Saga's ethics of political nonviolence. The round-up also links to an Automaton article on Japanese indie games about mental health, including The Second Reality Room: Unspoken Truths, a game about understanding chuunibyou teenagers. An interview with dubbing producer Reuben Lack discusses trends in anime dubbing, including rushed workflows and the use of vendors with no anime experience. Other items include a review of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk episodes 5-6, a retrospective on Ultra Maniac, and a video on antiblackness in anime fandom. The round-up also covers news about Hello Kitty's primary artist Yuko Yamaguchi stepping down after 46 years, and a concert cancellation for the Himitsu no AiPri franchise due to threats.

1h ago

Netflix Gives 'Cosmic Princess Kaguya' Japan-Only Theatrical Run

Netflix is sending its anime original feature "Cosmic Princess Kaguya" to Japanese theaters for a limited one-week run starting February 20, despite the film already having debuted globally on the streaming service on January 22. The film, directed by Shingo Yamashita, is a futuristic adaptation of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" that incorporates virtual worlds and idol culture. It is Yamashita's debut feature and the first major project from his new Studio Chromato, produced in partnership with Studio Colorido, which handled animation. The theatrical engagement runs from February 20 through February 26 in select Japanese cinemas, with special events and bonus materials planned. This follows Netflix's previous experiment with a wide theatrical release for "KPop Demon Hunters" last year, which earned an estimated $20 million in its opening U.S. weekend two months after its streaming debut. The "Cosmic Princess Kaguya" run is limited to Japan and is unlikely to signal a broader shift in Netflix's theatrical strategy.