Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era, the first feature-length anime film from Cygames’ long-running Umamusume franchise, will receive its first North American theatrical release on Feb. 27, 2026.
The film marks a significant milestone in the franchise’s expansion outside Japan, following a strong domestic performance in 2024 that saw the film surpass 1.4 billion yen at the Japanese box office. Its North American release reflects the growing international presence of the Umamusume brand, which has steadily expanded through anime, manga and mobile games .
Prior to its theatrical debut, Beginning of a New Era screened at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles and Anime NYC 2025 in New York City. Both showings drew large and enthusiastic crowds, signaling strong demand for a wider theatrical release among North American anime audiences .
The film is part of the broader Umamusume Project, a multimedia franchise produced by Cygames that centers on character-driven stories inspired by real-life racehorses. Set within the competitive Twinkle Series racing circuit, the franchise follows Umamusume athletes as they train and compete in pursuit of their dreams alongside classmates and trainers .
Cygames’ flagship mobile title, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, has surpassed 30 million downloads across Asia since its Japanese launch in 2021. The English-language version debuted last summer and quickly gained traction, earning Best Mobile Game honors at The Game Awards 2025 .
Beginning of a New Era follows Jungle Pocket, known as “Pokke,” a free-spirited racer who resolves to challenge the Twinkle Series after witnessing a defining performance by Fuji Kiseki. After enrolling at Tracen Academy, she trains under veteran coach Tanabe and faces formidable rivals in pursuit of the Triple Crown, a series of three races that can only be attempted once in a lifetime .
The film is directed by Ken Yamamoto, with a screenplay by Kiyoko Yoshimura and music composed by Masaru Yokoyama. Animation production is handled by CygamesPictures, with Jun Yamazaki serving as character designer and lead animation director .
Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era will be distributed theatrically in North America by GAGA Corporation.
For more content Subscribe to The Kitsune Network!
The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise returns to the big screen with a colossal new theatrical feature, JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution. Fans across North America will get the first chance to witness the chaos when the film debuts exclusively in IMAX theatres for one night only on December 3, followed by a nationwide rollout beginning December 5, presented by GKIDS in both Japanese and English-dubbed versions.
For the first time ever, JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution unites the franchise’s two most intense arcs—“Shibuya Incident” and “Culling Game Part 1”—into a single cinematic experience designed for the big screen. The feature serves as a special compilation of the Shibuya Incident saga, reimagined for theatrical presentation, and includes the world premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3, ahead of their January 2026 streaming debut.
The IMAX screening event will feature one exclusive showing across 100 screens nationwide on December 3, giving fans an early-access experience before the film opens widely. A new IMAX-exclusive poster was also unveiled in celebration of the announcement.
About JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution
Released in Japan under the title JUJUTSU KAISEN: The Movie – Shibuya Incident Special Edition x Culling Game Advance Screening on November 7, 2025, the feature brings the franchise’s most ambitious story arc to life. Produced by TOHO animation and animated by MAPPA, the film continues the legacy of Gege Akutami’s best-selling manga published by Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump.
Since its 2020 debut, JUJUTSU KAISEN has evolved into a global phenomenon—earning “Anime of the Year” at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and amassing millions of fans worldwide. Earlier this year, GKIDS released JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie, grossing over $3.25 million in North America. The previous film, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0, went on to exceed $188 million globally.
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away.
Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident.
In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes.
The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.
Fans can experience the ultimate Jujutsu Kaisen spectacle early with IMAX Fan Event screenings on December 3. The film then expands to standard theatres nationwide starting December 5.
Be among the first to witness JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution — where the Shibuya Incident reaches its devastating climax and The Culling Game begins.
For more content Subscribe to The Kitsune Network!
MAKE A GIRL had its world premiere at the Global Stage Hollywood 2024 Film Festival on November 3rd! The new and upcoming animated film is directed by Gensho Yasuda, an independent artist and rising star in the world of Japanese animation. The film began as a crowdfunding campaign where it met its goal of 10 million yen to bring this film to life. The film is set to premiere in Japan on January 2025. I had the opportunity to watch MAKE A GIRL , ahead of its Japanese premiere, a rarity in anime.
Dir.Yasuda Gensho, and lead actress Tanezaki Atsumi, (No. 0) at the Global Stage Hollywood 2024 Film Festival | Source
Prior to watching this movie, I only knew a few bits and pieces about it and had never heard of Gensho Yasuda. The first time I heard about him and his work, was through my colleague’s interview from this year’s Anime Expo. I approached the movie with no expectations, just hoping it would be enjoyable. I must say, the movie was unexpectedly amazing!
Amazing CGI Animation
What truly surprised me about MAKE A GIRL was its CGI animation. For me, CGI-animated movies can be hit or miss, but this one was absolutely stunning. The animation was crisp, clean, and packed with detail. From the subtle character movements to the dynamic action scenes, every moment felt alive and engaging. It’s clear that an incredible amount of time and effort went into bringing this film to life. It’s been a while since I’ve seen CGI animation this impressive, and MAKE A GIRL has definitely earned a spot on my list of outstanding examples of the craft.
MAKE A GIRL is both intriguing and enjoyable. In the aforementioned interview, director Gensho Yasuda shared that the plot was inspired by the phrase “make a girlfriend” and its various interpretations. While I’m not sure if this was his original intent, I saw the plot from a different perspective. To me, the film explores the many meanings of love and what it truly means to be alive. This theme is beautifully conveyed through the interactions between Akira, the main character, and Zero, the girlfriend he creates. Their unique relationship brings depth and emotion to the story.
The movie is full of unexpected twists, especially when it comes to Akira’s backstory and the ending. The final twist ties beautifully back to the film’s opening, creating a seamless connection. Without giving too much away, there’s a key moment where characters, Zero and Akira share an emotional conversation about their relationship. I highly recommend watching this film—it truly resonated with me and brought my interpretation to life.
MAKE A GIRL is an impressive film with breathtaking CGI animation and a captivating story. Coming in with no expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-thought-out the plot and characters were. The animation truly stood out—it was clean, smooth, and an absolute visual delight. As someone who doesn’t watch much CGI animation, it’s been a while since I’ve seen work this polished, making MAKE A GIRL a must-watch for anime fans.
The film set to release on January 31st of the incoming year, I highly recommend watching this movie when it gets its international debut.
This marks the first full-length theatrical project by animator Gensho Yasuda, who has amassed over 6 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms. Known for his 3D short animations, music videos, and corporate promos, Yasuda’s work has been praised both in Japan and abroad. MAKE A GIRL is a completely original story, brought to life with 100% 3DCG and described as “300% Gensho Yasuda purity.” Its success is already evident—the crowdfunding campaign exceeded its goal by 230%, showcasing Yasuda’s incredible popularity and the high anticipation for this film.
KADOKAWA describes the film as follows,
The story takes place in the near future: Akira Mizutamari, a scientific genius who succeeded in developing and commercializing SALT, a robot that supports people’s lives, finds himself stuck in a rut when all of his new inventions fail. After hearing from a friend that he can “power up” by creating a girlfriend, he does literally that and scientifically creates an “artificial” girlfriend named “No. Zero”. Torn between her programmed emotions and her growing feelings, No. Zero starts to waver. Is it “love” that buds between her and Akira, who is unaccustomed to communicating with others, or perhaps something else?
The fascinating characters for this story are played by Atsumi Tanezaki (No. Zero), who has shown her ability to transform from one character to another in roles such as Anya in “SPY x FAMILY” and Frieren in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”, and Shun Horie (Akira Mizutamari), who has been selected for leading roles in various popular works, including Kyoutarou Ichikawa in “The Dangers in My Heart”. Gensho Yasuda’s unpredictable super-new cyber love suspense animation is now coming to the world ──!
Read our interview with Make A Girl director, Gensho Yasuda during Anime Expo 2024 here. For more updates and information visit the film’s official website (Japanese).
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
Fans of the supernatural comedy manga Ghost Cat Anzu are in for a treat with the upcoming animated film adaptation. However, this film isn’t just a direct translation of the manga — it’s taking a bold new approach. While the original manga series charmed readers with lighthearted, comedic antics, the film adds a more adventurous twist to the familiar story of Anzu, the mischievous ghost cat.
Meet The Makers
The film is a collaboration between directors Kuno Yoko and Nobuhiro Yamashita. Kuno Yoko is responsible for the animated segments, while Nobuhiro Yamashita directs the live-action segments used in the rotoscoping process.
Often compared to Aki Kaurismäki, known for his films centering on characters who are usually left alone facing the consequences, Nobuhiro Yamashita is best known for his first 35mm film, Linda Linda Linda (2005), about a group teenagers who form a band to cover songs by the Japanese punk rock band the Blue Hearts. The film was a popular success that brought him squarely into the realm of commercial cinema.
Kuno Yoko is a talented animator and manga creator recognized both nationally and internationally. She began creating manga in high school, and her debut publication, The Horn and Love of Yuiko Amagi (2017), won second prize for debut works at the Japan Media Arts Festival, where she also became the first artist to win two First Work prizes in different categories.
Credit: John Salangsang for AIF
She was a rotoscoping animation director known for her work on Shunji Iwai’s The Case of Hana and Alice (2015) and for directing the opening film for the puppet show Gara Piko Pu in 2016. She also worked as a character designer for Shiriri in Alien Shiriri from the Crayon Shin-chan series, created animations for Crayon Shin-chan: Kung-fu Boys Ramen Scrimmage in 2017, and directed episodes of Houseki no Kuni / Age of Crystals, earning significant international recognition. Ghost Cat Anzu marks her feature film directorial debut.
Rotoscoping Ghost Cat Anzu
The film is stands out from most anime films as the production team used a technique called rotoscoping. Rotoscoping involves artists tracing over live-action footage, one frame at a time, to make the animations look more realistic.
This method helps animators capture lifelike movements and is often used to blend animated characters with live-action scenes. While time-consuming, rotoscoping is great for creating detailed, realistic animations.
As you watch the film, you can hear the actors’ voices as if they were recorded along with the live-action scenes, and that’s because they were! The characters’ voices were captured on-site, which enhances the authenticity of the film’s sound design. This blend of live-action and animation creates a unique viewing experience, with real locations being animated over to create a surreal effect.
INTERVIEW
We had the pleasure to briefly speak with director Kuno Yoko and producer Keiichi Kondo at this year’s Animation Is Film Festival,
The Ghost Cat Anzu manga is loved for its fun, slice-of-life style, revolving around Anzu, a mischievous bakeneko (ghost cat), and the residents of his town. The lighthearted interactions between characters are shown with simple and defined artwork, where humor and charm come from Anzu’s everyday situations. The manga focuses on episodic stories instead of one continuous plot. But the film takes the story in a different direction…
The film diverges from the manga by focusing on a complete, full adventure with Aznu and a new character, Karin, a precocious tween who unexpectedly moves to rural Japan to live with her grandfather.
Karin’s distrust of Anzu becomes a central theme in the movie, which contrasts with the lighter and more comedic tone of the manga. Karin actively resists Anzu’s attempts to help her, giving the film a more rebellious and adventurous feel. It’s essential to highlight that the film incorporates various short stories from the manga, adding Karin to the mix while significantly altering other pivotal characters like Anzu’s “mother” and Tetsuya.
According to directors Kuno Yoko and Nobuhiro Yamashita,
In the original work, Anzu is a ghost cat living with a monk in a temple. Unlike the typical expectations associated with ghost cats, which are supposed to surprise and scare people, Anzu behaves like an idle old man: he aimlessly sleeps, works part-time as a massage therapist, and is seen urinating in front of the temple. To present Anzu in a more appealing light, the film required a character to contrast with him. This is how we introduced the original character of Karin into the film, a girl as difficult to deal with as Anzu.
– Via Press Release
What Fans Can Expect from the Film
The film promises a blend of comedy, action, and emotional depth, with Karin and Anzu having to face the demonic consequences of Karin’s impulsive and rebellious actions. Fans can expect intense action scenes and dramatic tension that weren’t present in the manga while still holding onto the comedic elements that make Ghost Cat Anzu beloved.
Fans of the original manga will observe significant shifts in the tone, character dynamics, and stakes of the story. While the manga presents a relaxed, slice-of-life narrative, the film elevates the emotional stakes, infuses dramatic action, and establishes a more compelling plot arc. Despite these transformations, the film preserves the essence of Ghost Cat Anzu by maintaining its comedic core.
That being said, the film faces challenges with narrative coherence and structure; for a runtime of 97 minutes, the film would have been better as short film. However, for fans of the manga the film delivers a cinematic interpretation that skillfully balances humor, adventure, and emotional resonance. This new adaptation presents an innovative perspective on Ghost Cat Anzu, providing an enjoyable experience for both dedicated fans and those new to the series.
Gensho Yasuda, a member of Xenotoon Inc., is a rising star in the world of animation. With a social media following exceeding 6 million, Yasuda has captured the attention of a global audience through his innovative and captivating anime shorts. His breakthrough came with the self-produced anime “Make Love,” which garnered critical acclaim and won a prize at the prestigious 29th CG Anime Contest in 2020, Japan’s oldest CG animation contest. Building on this success, Yasuda has taken on the role of director for his latest project, “MAKE A GIRL,” further showcasing his talent and vision in the animation industry.
MAKE A GIRL is scheduled for release in Japan sometime in 2025. Film’s synopsis is as follows,
Akira Mizutamari, a scientific genius who succeeded in developing and commercializing SALT, a robot that supports people’s lives, finds himself stuck in a rut when all of his new inventions fail. After hearing from a friend that he can “power up” by creating a girlfriend, he does literally that and scientifically creates an “artificial” girlfriend named “No. Zero”. Torn between her programmed emotions and her growing feelings, No. Zero starts to waver. Is it “love” that buds between her and Akira, who is unaccustomed to communicating with others, or perhaps……?
The fascinating characters in this story are brought to life by Atsumi Tanezaki (No. Zero), known for her versatile performances as Anya in “SPY x FAMILY” and Frieren in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” and Shun Horie (Akira Mizutamari), who has captivated audiences in leading roles such as Kyoutarou Ichikawa in “The Dangers in My Heart.”
We had the opportunity to interview Yasuda-san regarding his latest project, “MAKE A GIRL” who Yasuda serves as the director. Before we could ask our questions, KADOKAWA promotion team had the following questions for Yasuda-san,
KADOKAWA PT: Yasuda-san published many CG animations on SNS and YouTube. Total number of social media followers is more than 6 million followers. His works have been seen all over the world. What made you decide to create and post your own CG animation?
Gensho Yasuda: I enjoy reading and creating stories as a hobby. I work as a 3D animator, and I’ve been wanting to make 3D animations based on my own stories. In Japan, many creators, like mangakas, don’t frequently use social media to promote their work. Therefore, I’ve decided to use social media to promote my own creations.
KADOKAWA PT: For the production of the film “MAKE A GIRL,” you have set up a studio called Gensho Yasuda Studio. Is there any difference between working alone and working with a studio?
Gensho Yasuda: so working on my own the freedom that I experience is really the best part. It really allows me to set up and think about the technical approach in detail before starting so it’s really the advantage is being able to research while I’m working. So it’s kind of like a two birds one stone situation. Working in teams, in contrast really it’s a strength in numbers. The workload is reduced. The research can be done much faster. And in terms of MAKE A GIRL we worked with that eight-person team and so it was kind of like eight times the work was done in a very short amount of time. The research was done eight times faster, but it wasn’t just that it was that each animator brought with them their unique careers and their unique ideas and techniques, they discovered new techniques and they even taught me new techniques as well. So the ideas that weren’t mine got to be incorporated into this as well, which was a huge strength of working with that team.
KADOKAWA PT: What are some of the highlights of the film? What should the audience keep an eye out for?
Gensho Yasuda: So I’ve made a lot of short animes and in these short animes that were online I didn’t use any voice actors and it was just about the movement. It was simply only the visual that was involved which required some imagination from the audience and this time in this film, I’ve used voice actors and they really gave life to these characters so you can enjoy it a lot more like a classic anime. And in the sort of CG action scenes, that’s one of my strengths and one of my deeper wells of experience I would say so I think that will be a really fun and exciting part for audiences to watch as well.
Our Questions
Gensho Yasuda & Krystal during Anime Expo 2024
KRYSTAL: Usually your animations have little to no voiceover, for each character in this project has a voice actor. Do you think this project will resonate with your audience?
Gensho Yasuda: Yeah, I think so, but you know until now, imagination was such a big part of the shorts that hit, as you said, and people were just kind of free to imagine what they wanted based on their life experiences and what came to mind. This is a lot more like classic anime, so there isn’t as much that people can use their imagination with, so yeah. That’s a point that will be interesting to see how people relate to this.
KRYSTAL: Tell how you came up with initial story of MAKE A GIRL?
Gensho Yasuda: it’s literally ‘make a girlfriend’, is how you described when you get a girlfriend or that kind of thing. So thinking about the sentence written down I thought about how there could be a lot of different meanings to that sentence and the noun of girlfriend can be thought of in different ways. So I thought well what if there was a scientist that used science to create his girlfriend and I love science fiction and it’s sort of a meta expression of my love of SF that I put into this piece this film.’
KRYSTAL: What were some of the challenges that you faced in this project?
Gensho Yasuda: So the biggest challenge was really just making the film itself. There were 8 members including myself in this project and to get each of these people to become this fully fleshed-out animator was a process especially because I have a very unique know-how and I have some very interesting specialties that I taught these other people so that was the most challenging part was like creating the environment for that to happen before we even started making the film. However, at the same time, you know, six months or about a year in, each person focused on a different section, for example, like 3D modeling or background work, that sort of thing. And so each person kind of became a specialist in each area and so much so that their level of detail and expertise became deeper than mine in those areas. So I really came to rely on them and learn from them.
KRYSTAL: I know it’s probably too early to tell but you have created a numerous characters throughout your career releasing your shorts. Do you think you’ll create a film or a larger animations based on the other characters you’ve created?
Gensho Yasuda: In terms of characters I’d like to expand upon, definitely the cursed doll and the Miko character, I’d like to flesh out their stories. I have a clear image of how their stories end and how their journey ends but I don’t know exactly what medium would be best to tell that story. So it might be short, it might be long, I’m not too sure yet.
KRYSTAL: During the casting, was there a moment where you said to yourself, “Ah, There! There’s the voice of my main character”?
Gensho Yasuda: So I’d say yes, Akira’s- Yeah, I had an idea of what sort of acting I wanted to use for the character of Akira and then Shun Horie who played him really did an incredible job with like small nuances at the end of sentences or doing that sort of thing in bringing him to life because if you just read his dialogue, he’s not a very likeable character and yet he truly became Akira and even I think was somewhat likable and there were moments like that. That really made me think. Oh, yeah, this is this is Akira for sure.
KRYSTAL: Have you given any thought to venturing into other mediums, such as 2D animation or hand-drawn animation?
Gensho Yasuda: No, I have not. I think the reason is that people who can’t draw enter 3D; that is really why I entered. The 3D that I create look like hand-drawn and feels hand-drawn animation, and to do that, there are interesting adjustments that need to be done over and over again, and in making these adjustments, I find myself learning a little bit more skills in drawing, but that doesn’t mean I can draw anime.
You can follow Gensho Yasuda on social media here. Visit the film’s official website. I would to special thanks to KADOKAWA and the MAKE A GIRL PR team for this wonderful interview opportunity.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The highly anticipated hit film, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is set to serve worldwide theaters starting May 30. The film will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English. The film will serve as one of two films that will conclude the Haikyu series.
May 30: Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru
May 31: Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
June 7: Turkey
June 12: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland (French-speaking)
June 25: Austria, Germany
June 27: Switzerland (German-speaking)
The film is directed and written by Susumu Mitsunaka, with an original story by Haikyu!! creator, Haruichi Furudate. It is produced by the highly acclaimed Production I.G.
Based on the original Weekly Shonen Jump manga series from Haruichi Furudate, HAIKYU!! is a slice-of-life sports anime about high school student Shoyo Hinata’s love of volleyball. Inspired by a small-statured player known as the “Little Giant,” Hinata creates a team in his last year of middle school. Unfortunately, his team is matched up against “King of the Court” Tobio Kageyama’s team in their first tournament, inevitably losing.
After the crushing defeat, Hinata vows to surpass Kageyama. Entering high school, he joins the volleyball team only to find that Tobio has also joined, making his once rival his new teammate.
TOHO Animation produces the anime series HAIKYU!! The first four seasons are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
After months of anticipation, Spy x Family CODE: White debuts in theaters worldwide! Preceding its release, Crunchyroll hosted a red-carpet event to commemorate the English dub premiere of the series’ first film. On April 11, fans and celebrities gathered at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles to witness the beloved Forger family on the big screen, joined by voice talent: Alex Organ (Loid), Megan Shipman (Anya), Natalie Van Sistine (Yor), Tyler Walker (Bond), Anthony Bowling (Franky), Tyson Rinehart (Luca), Phil Parson (Domitri), and Lindsay Seidel (Nightfall), with additional attendance by actors Dara Reneé, Emery Kelly, Max Ehrich and Zeno Robinson; rapper 24kGoldn; musician Kim Dracula; model, singer, actor and producer Skye Aurelia; and content creators Billy Yue, Jacki Jing, Nicewigg, Neekolul, Izzy Kento, Magdaline Janet and Stella Chu.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: (L-R) Tyson Rinehart, Anthony Bowling, Tyler Walker, Phil Parsons, Megan Shipman, Alex Organ, Natalie Van Sistine, Cris George, and Lindsay Seidel attend World Premiere Of The English Dub Version Of “SPY x FAMILY CODE: White” at DGA Theater Complex on April 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Crunchyroll)
We had the thrilling opportunity to attend and view the film firsthand, and we are eager to share the excitement surrounding it!
Spy x Family CODE: White
When Loid faces a critical directive: his role in Operation Strix is slated for replacement and with it entire Forger family. Determined to maintain his position, he embarks on a mission to assist Anya in winning a cooking competition at her school to win a Stella Star and earn him one step closer to his objective; Donovan Desmond. Under the guise of a family vacation, the Forgers embark on a journey to seek the principal’s favorite dessert. However, their seemingly harmless quest sets off a series of events that threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of peace and ignite a full-blown conflict between the two nations.
The Forgers In Action On The Big Screen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: A general view of atmosphere at World Premiere Of The English Dub Version Of “SPY x FAMILY CODE: White” at DGA Theater Complex on April 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Crunchyroll)
Spy x Family is a series I enjoy a lot with its unique concept, storytelling, and loveable characters. Watching the film on the big screen in theaters felt different. The animation is what I would expect from the likes of Wit Studio and Cloverworks; clean and detailed. Its production showcases the high-quality animation that WitStudios and Cloverworks are known for. Fans can look forward to the film knowing it got the seal of approval by having Tatsuya Endo serve as the production supervisor, ensuring the film stayed true to the Spy x Family series.
The action scenes for Loid and especially for Yor’s fighting scenes, were animated with high attention to detail, allowing the audience to enjoy the thrill of the fight. In contrast, there were a lots of heartwarming moments between the Forgers as they enjoyed their little family “vacation”.
While the series balanced action, comedy, and heartfelt moments, the movie felt like it leaned towards the comedic aspect of the Spy x Family series. There wasn’t a time within the movie when the audience was not bursting with laughter. The family’s secrecy about each other’s identity and intentions often led to hilarious misunderstandings between Loid and Yorn. We also can’t forget about the mischievous Anya, who basically launched the film’s storyline through her innocent but troublesome methods.
Family Stays Together
I’ve always been excited to see how the Forgers grow not just as individuals but also as a family with every season. It’s one of the things I enjoy watching in Spy x Family. The movie also focuses on that theme and emphasizes it a lot throughout. It was quite prominent compared to what I saw during the series. Each character played a certain role that led to them being one step closer to learning what a family is.
Loid, who never had a family and created the Forgers specifically for the mission, is still learning what family is and what it means to be one. We could see Loid express his confusion about the meaning of family and why he desires to protect the family even though it’s fake. Yor, who has her little brother, Yuri, became sort of like a guide for Loid, guiding him on what a family means based on her experience. Anya, who wanted a family of her own, kept the family together in her Anya-like way and was the reason that Loid was acting more like a father of the family and learning what it means to be one.
First Time Watching In English Dub
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: (L-R) Megan Shipman (Anya), Natalie Van Sistine (Yor) and Alex Organ (Loid) | (Photo by Krystal Kitsune/TKN)
This was my first time watching Spy x Family in English, and it was an interesting experience. I am more of a Japanese dub fan and watch most of my anime series in English sub, including Spy x Family. Listening to the English dub cast was different from watching the English sub, perhaps because I can understand the Japanese version and am already used to their voice actors.
Although there were a couple of times when I cringed at some of the lines they said in the English dub, the English voice cast did a fantastic job voicing their characters, very fitting. Being able to understand them even made the whole movie much funnier than I anticipated.
Conclusion
Packed with action, thrills, and comedy, Spy x Family CODE: White is what you would expect to see in a Spy x Family movie. I love seeing how the Forgers grow as a family as they navigate their way on what it means to be one. The movie might have even given us a glimpse or even an idea that we might see in the series in the future. We won’t know this for sure since the series only has two seasons so far. If you’re a manga reader, then you might have already gotten some foresight into how the Forgers act as a family. As for those of us who only watch anime, it will be a while before you get to see some family development in possible future seasons. Until then, the movie is great for anyone who wants to see more of the Forgers and scratch that itch until a new season is announced.
Spy x Family CODE: White is now in theaters, get your tickets now!Can’t get enough? Check out our YouTube Channel, and watch my interviews with the English dub cast of Spy x Family at the red-carpet premiere!
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
Crunchyroll, has announced thrilling news today for North American audiences eagerly awaiting the release of SPY x FAMILY CODE: White. The highly anticipated film tickets are now officially on sale!
Distributed jointly by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, SPY x FAMILY CODE: White is set to hit theaters throughout the United States and Canada beginning April 19th. This is the first film installment of the popular television series – delivering an original standalone story featuring secret agent ‘Twilight’, his deadly assassin wife Yor, and their telepathic adopted daughter Anya in an all-new mission. Based on the widely acclaimed Harvey and Eisner Award-nominated manga written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo, the television series SPY x FAMILY originally debuted on April 9, 2022 and was quickly embraced by fans across the globe. The first two seasons are available on Crunchyroll.
Film Synopsis:
He’s a spy. She’s an assassin. Together, Loid and Yor keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family. However, their adopted daughter Anya, a telepath, knows both of their exciting secrets unbeknownst to them. While under the guise of taking his family on a weekend winter getaway, Loid’s attempt to make progress on his current mission Operation Strix proves difficult when Anya mistakenly gets involved and triggers events that threaten world peace!
Credits: Directed by Takashi Katagiri. Written by Ichiro Ohkouchi. Original story by Tatsuya Endo. Produced by WIT STUDIO x CloverWorks. Adding to the excitement surrounding the film’s release, Crunchyroll has unveiled a brand new dubbed trailer,
You can purchase tickets now at, www.spyfamily.movie. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements regarding SPY x FAMILY CODE: White, and prepare to embark on an unforgettable cinematic journey like no other!
INTERVIEW WITH ANYA (Crunchyroll Expo 2022)
Watch our interview with English voice actress, Megan Shipman voice of Anya during Crunchyroll Expo 2022!
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The legacy of Code Geass continues to captivate fans as a thrilling new chapter unfolds! Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture, the brand new anime film set to release May 2024. This latest addition, first announced in December 2020, promises to reignite the fervor surrounding the beloved franchise.
Scheduled for a theatrical release in four parts starting from May 2024, the anime project unveiled exciting details, including the cast lineup and theme song. Cast members include, Kohei Amasaki takes on the role of Rozé, with Makoto Furukawa as Ashe.
Adding to the excitement, MIYAVI, the globally recognized guitarist known for his unique “slap guitar” style, is gearing up to release his latest song, “Running In My Head,” on May 8, 2024. The track will serve as the theme song for the eagerly anticipated anime filmCode Geass: Roze of the Recapture, and promises to be a treat for fans of both MIYAVI’s music and those eagerly awaiting the return of the Code Geass series.
Having already performed the song live, MIYAVI’s “Running In My Head” boasts an electrifying up-tempo rock vibe, characterized by his signature powerful guitar riffs. Fans can also look forward to a specially drawn anime CD jacket accompanying the single release, the illustration is yet to be released by Mood Records
Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture, the latest installment in the beloved Code Geass franchise, is set for a four-part release starting in May 2024. The most recent teaser trailer for the film features a snippet of “Running In My Head,”.
In addition to his involvement with the anime film, MIYAVI has also announced his upcoming studio album, “Lost In Love, Found In Pain.” and his digital single “Broken Fantasy / Tragedy Of Us” is now available, featuring two captivating tracks to tide fans over until the release of “Running In My Head.”
Set in the visually captivating world crafted by Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, this new installment is directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi at studio Sunrise with scriptwriting by Noboru Kimura, while new character designs by CLAMP. Animation by Takahiro Kimura and Hidekazu Shimamura.
In an unprecedented move for anime and manga fans worldwide, tech giant Apple has just premiered “Midnight,” a groundbreaking short film shot entirely on the iPhone 15 Pro. This remarkable creation is part of Apple’s global Shot on iPhone campaign.
Directed by none other than the acclaimed Japanese film director Takashi Miike, “Midnight” is a live action adaptation of the manga, Midnight created by none other than the legendary “God of Manga” himself, Osamu Tezuka. The film boasts a star-studded cast featuring celebrated actors Kento Kaku (My Family, Tokyo MER and House of Ninjas), Yukiyoshi Ozawa (Assistant Inspector: Daimajin, One Last Bloom), and Konatsu Kato (White coffee, The 13 Lords of the Shogun), capturing a brief yet mesmerizing cinematic experience for Osamu Tezuka fans worldwide.
What makes “Midnight” truly revolutionary is its utilization of the iPhone 15 Pro’s cutting-edge camera technology. With its powerful capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro captures the vibrant colors and dynamic cityscapes of Tokyo’s nightlife with unparalleled clarity and depth. The result is a visually stunning 19-minute masterpiece that transports viewers into the heart of the action.
“Mr. Tezuka is something of a god among manga artists so it was an honor to take on the challenge of expressing his work using only iPhone. As we were shooting, I naturally began to challenge myself to think about how we could make a work unique to iPhone, beyond the usual approach to a film. I truly felt that the iPhone has the power to do things that a conventional movie camera can’t.”
-Takashi Miike via Press Release
Connecting both anime and tech fan together the film showcases the potential of mobile filmmaking that can revolutionize the way stories are told. With Apple leading the charge, the boundaries of creativity continue to expand, promising even more exciting innovations on the horizon. Miike continues,
“Action mode accurately captures the facial expressions of subjects in a scene in a dynamic way, while reflecting their emotions and thoughts. For example, in the scene where Kaede hears news of her father passing away, furiously rushing out to show her sadness. Thanks to iPhone 15 Pro and Action mode, I was able capture such a scene. It is beyond what a conventional stabilizer can do without compromising the high-quality of the film. It is truly a magical feature. While Cinematic mode gives the film a more cinematic look, I was even more impressed by the ability to adjust the focus after shooting. You can focus on whatever you want, whenever you want. I hope that game-changing features like this that are impossible with regular photography equipment will be added more and more, and that it will break the conventional thinking of filmmakers.”
-Takashi Miike via Press Release
This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant moment in anime history, as it represents the first instance of Osamu Tezuka’s works being filmed using a mobile device. Watch the short film and BTS below!
Storyline: “Midnight” is the name of a late night taxi driver, played by celebrated film and TV actor Kento Kaku, who roams the streets of Tokyo offering help to those who need it. Midnight intervenes in a conflict between a young woman, played by Konatsu Kato, struggling to take over her deceased father’s truck driving business and fight off a nefarious local gang, lead by a boss played by character actor Yukiyoshi Ozawa. He joins Konatsu in a thrilling car chase across neon-lit Tokyo as he helps her find her feet, all captured exclusively by the iPhone 15 Pro camera.
The action-packed film utilizes all the latest camera features of iPhone 15 Pro:
Shooting in low light: For years, iPhone has had the highest quality video in a smartphone, and that is taken to another level thanks to ProRes Log encoding, which improves video and action shots in low-light situations. Taking videos at night is not an easy task even in normal shooting conditions, and the iPhone 15 Pro lineup allows users to capture subjects clearly even in darker places — a particularly powerful ally during the night scenes in this film.
Action mode: Action mode allows an incredibly smooth-looking video that adjusts to significant shakes, motion, and vibrations when video is being captured in the middle of the action, such as the scene where young female star Konatsu Kato runs to the scene of her father’s unfortunate demise.
Cinematic mode: Cinematic mode records videos of people, pets, and objects with a beautiful depth effect with automatic focus changes, so anyone can capture cinema-style moments, even without the skills of a professional filmmaker. For creative control, the focus can be changed during and after capture, and users can also adjust the level of bokeh effect in video even after recording, as seen in the outdoor street restaurant scene between Kento Kaku and Konatsu Kato as Midnight comes to grips with the troubles the young woman faces.
5x Telephoto camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on iPhone: 5x at 120 mm. Great for close-ups, wildlife photos, and catching the action from further distances, the new Telephoto camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max has an innovative tetraprism design with a combined optical image stabilization and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module, Apple’s most advanced stabilization system yet. This feature comes to life in Midnight’s dramatic car chases where the camera is able to rapidly zoom in on Kento Kaku’s intense and dramatic facial expressions.
Pro workflows for filmmakers: The new USB‑C connector is supercharged with USB 3 data transfer speeds — up to 20x faster than USB 2 — for data transfer speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. ProRes video can be recorded directly to external storage, enabling higher recording options up to 4K at 60 fps, and greater flexibility on set when using iPhone as the main camera. iPhone 15 Pro also introduces a new option for Log encoding and is the first smartphone in the world to support ACES, the Academy Color Encoding System, a global standard for color workflows.
LiDAR Scanner: This technology improves autofocus by 6x in low-light scenes for more accuracy and reduced capture time in photos and videos, and also unlocks Night mode portraits, rendering a beautiful low-light bokeh effect. In addition, the post-production of the film incorporates unprecedented techniques, such as the use of LiDAR scanners on iPhone 15 Pro models for a 3D model-based creation of Midnight’s special cab with a “fifth wheel”.
Long-lasting battery life and incredible durability: Whether you’re a professional or everyday user, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup still gives you amazing all‑day battery life, even with so many advanced features. And with it’s titanium design, the toughest back glass in a smartphone, and the Ceramic Shield front cover that is tougher than any smartphone glass, it can stand up to the most intense tasks.
Capabilities for professionals and novices: iPhone 15 Pro’s video capabilities leave it in a class all its own, stacking up to very expensive, professional-grade cameras. Yet a beginner can pick up an iPhone and intuitively know how to use it to capture stunning footage. Nothing else has the range of this incredible workflow.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
