Image: Produktionskomitee „Étoile in Paris“
AMBot | 04/17/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
An over eleven-minute clip from the beginning of the film has been released from the original anime film production "L'étoile de Paris en fleur" (Japanese original title: "Paris ni Saku Étoile") directed by Gorō Taniguchi. The work is set in early 20th century Paris and tells the story of aspiring painter Fujiko and Chizuru, who is fascinated by ballet, as they seek to realize their dreams in the French capital. The shown opening depicts their fateful first meeting in Yokohama, Fujiko's family conflicts regarding her desire to become a painter, and her hopeful departure for Paris with her uncle Wakabayashi.
To enhance the credibility of the narrative, historian Shirakawa Seiichi was hired as a researcher, ensuring the detailed recreation of the Belle Époque era. In an accompanying commentary, Shirakawa explains some of these details. For example, the camera that Fujiko's uncle Wakabayashi carries in a scene at the "Goethe Theater" in Yokohama is based on the "Champion Teichū Ankō" model, which came to market in 1904. As the exact handling of this rare device is not documented, the Japan Camera Museum helped reconstruct its operation using similar models from the period.
Shirakawa locates the Tsugita family estate (incorrectly referred to as "Sonoi" in an earlier version of the article, for which we apologize) in Tokyo's Takadanobaba district. The house was modeled on the residence of the famous writer Natsume Sōseki, combining various elements from the late Edo and early Meiji periods to achieve a harmonious Japanese-European mixed style.
For the depiction of Paris, the Pont Alexandre III is shown, an ornate bridge built for the 1900 World's Fair, symbolizing the pinnacle of the Belle Époque. In the next shot, a "Bateau-Lavoir" is visible—a communal laundry area where clothes were washed and dried in the river—an image that captures the contrast between the splendid architecture and the everyday life of the common people.
The film "L'étoile de Paris en fleur" is currently running in Japanese theaters. The main roles are voiced by Ami Tōma (Fujiko) and Rina Arashi (Chizuru). The work was directed by Gorō Taniguchi, with the screenplay by Reiko Yoshida.
To enhance the credibility of the narrative, historian Shirakawa Seiichi was hired as a researcher, ensuring the detailed recreation of the Belle Époque era. In an accompanying commentary, Shirakawa explains some of these details. For example, the camera that Fujiko's uncle Wakabayashi carries in a scene at the "Goethe Theater" in Yokohama is based on the "Champion Teichū Ankō" model, which came to market in 1904. As the exact handling of this rare device is not documented, the Japan Camera Museum helped reconstruct its operation using similar models from the period.
Shirakawa locates the Tsugita family estate (incorrectly referred to as "Sonoi" in an earlier version of the article, for which we apologize) in Tokyo's Takadanobaba district. The house was modeled on the residence of the famous writer Natsume Sōseki, combining various elements from the late Edo and early Meiji periods to achieve a harmonious Japanese-European mixed style.
For the depiction of Paris, the Pont Alexandre III is shown, an ornate bridge built for the 1900 World's Fair, symbolizing the pinnacle of the Belle Époque. In the next shot, a "Bateau-Lavoir" is visible—a communal laundry area where clothes were washed and dried in the river—an image that captures the contrast between the splendid architecture and the everyday life of the common people.
The film "L'étoile de Paris en fleur" is currently running in Japanese theaters. The main roles are voiced by Ami Tōma (Fujiko) and Rina Arashi (Chizuru). The work was directed by Gorō Taniguchi, with the screenplay by Reiko Yoshida.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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