Continuation of Poupelle of Chimney Town announced for 2026

The animated film series Eiga Entotsu-machi no Poupelle (engl. Poupelle of Chimney Town) is getting a sequel titled Eiga Entotsu-machi no Poupelle: Yakusoku no Tokeidai (engl. Poupelle of Chimney Town: The Promised Clocktower). Production by Studio 4°C (Children of the Sea, Tekkonkinkreet) and creative direction by Akihiro Nishino (member of the comedy group King Kong) will continue.

The first film, based on Nishino's picture book of the same name, became a surprise hit in 2020 despite pandemic-related challenges: With 27 billion yen in box office revenue and 1.96 million viewers, it won awards including Outstanding Animation Work at the 44th Japan Academy Film Awards. Internationally, the work was presented at over 30 festivals and inspired adaptations in theater, musicals, and dance.

The sequel adapts Nishino's 2019 picture book Chick TAC: Yakusoku no Tokeidai and follows protagonist Rubitch and his companions on a new journey that thematically connects to the metaphorical depth of its predecessor. Director Yūsuke Hirota and Nishino as writer remain loyal to the project. An exclusively produced short film shows Nishino creating new illustrations, now available on limited-edition movie tickets.

A trailer or concrete plot details are not yet available, but the continuation of the visually dense world—defined by smoke-filled cityscapes and socially critical undertones—is likely to delight fans of the original. The release is scheduled for spring 2026.