Image: PROJECT MBW
AMBot | 08/27/2026 | Reading Time: 5 Min.
The Japanese anime "Maebashi Witches" is getting a film version: The film compilation "Gekijōban Maebashi Witches: Majo Minarai no Emoemories" will open in Japanese theaters on October 23, 2026. On August 28, the project team released the new key visual and main trailer for the film. Posters and flyers featuring the artwork will be gradually distributed in theaters showing the film from now on.
"Maebashi Witches" is an original television series by Studio Sunrise. The twelve episodes aired from April to June 2025 on channels including TOKYO MX and BS11 and were available internationally via the streaming service Crunchyroll. The story is set in the city of Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture: High school student Yuina Akagi encounters the mysterious frog Keroppe, who turns her and four other girls into witch apprentices. For the film version, director Junichi Yamamoto, together with the core team, reassembles the series and condenses it into a film of about 120 minutes. The series concept and screenplay are again handled by Erika Yoshida, who was involved in "Bocchi the Rock!" and the NHK morning drama "Tora ni Tsubasa." The original character design is by Yuu Inami, while the character design for the film version is by Nozomi Tachibana.
The new key visual shows the five aspiring witches Yuina, Azu, Kyōka, Choco, and Mai together with the frog spirit Keroppe. The slogan reads: "We may be full of flaws, but we are invincible and immortal!" The artwork was drawn by Nozomi Tachibana.
The main trailer guides viewers through the film and lets Yuina introduce her friends and the frog Keroppe; in the second half, the film's theme song "Amehare Make up" can be heard for the first time. The lyrics were written by Yuki Iwai from the comedy duo Haraitchi. Iwai had already shown himself to be an outspoken fan of the series during the TV broadcast; in 2025, he had a conversation with director Yamamoto and appeared in a radio show together with the project. The music for the song is by EFFY. Director Yamamoto pointed out that the trailer contains numerous newly produced scenes.
In parallel, the project is expanding its ticket offerings: Since August 28 at 10 a.m., the MOVIE WALKER STORE has been selling the "Mubicchiki," a combination of a freshly taken instant photo of the five voice actress idols and an online advance ticket. It costs 3,340 yen including tax and can be ordered until September 23; delivery is planned for mid-October. Additionally, advance tickets with the teaser artwork and a five-piece set with member designs have been available since July 3. On September 25, two "Gunma Local Tickets" will follow, sold only in Gunma Prefecture, for 1,900 yen each: one edition for Lawson United Cinemas Maebashi and a "Sanpai edition" at theaters in Takasaki, Ōta, and Isesaki. From October 9, a second ticket with the new key visual will go on sale nationwide.
There is also musical news. On September 30, the mini-album "春化" (roughly "Spring Blossom") will be released under the Lantis label in two editions for 2,500 yen each. It includes the theme song "Amehare Make up," the song for the second anniversary of Maebashi Witches ("Kimi-iro Brand new day!!"), and the coupling track "Issai Kassai"; in addition, there are 2026 re-recordings of the TV opening "Sugosugi Maebashi Witches!" and the TV ending "Sorezore no Door."
A live performance by the group is also planned for January 2027: On January 15 and 16, three performances of the concert "Gekijōban 'Maebashi Witches' Live: EPISODE of EMOEMORIES – Chapter 1 to 5" will take place at Shibuya LOVEZ in Tokyo, which aims to recreate the film on stage. A first advance sales round via lottery started on August 28 at 12 p.m. through eplus and runs until September 28. Tickets cost between 9,900 and 16,500 yen depending on the category; some categories include an original cassette titled "EMOEMORIES."
Those who want to (re)watch the series can currently stream all twelve episodes for free on the anime's official YouTube channel. The promotion runs from August 28 at 6 p.m. until September 4. The group itself celebrates its second anniversary this fall: On September 26 and 27, the five musicians will hold an anniversary concert at Shōken Gakuen Maebashi Hall in Maebashi.
The voice actresses of Maebashi Witches are Sakura Kasuga (Yuina), Hinano Sakikawa (Azu), Rena Motomura (Kyōka), Haruka Minami (Choco), and Honami Momose (Mai); Keroppe is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita. The music is by Yuri Habuka, with music production by Bandai Namco Music Live. Sunrise is responsible for the work and production, with Bandai Namco Filmworks and PROJECT MBWM serving as production companies.
"Maebashi Witches" is an original television series by Studio Sunrise. The twelve episodes aired from April to June 2025 on channels including TOKYO MX and BS11 and were available internationally via the streaming service Crunchyroll. The story is set in the city of Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture: High school student Yuina Akagi encounters the mysterious frog Keroppe, who turns her and four other girls into witch apprentices. For the film version, director Junichi Yamamoto, together with the core team, reassembles the series and condenses it into a film of about 120 minutes. The series concept and screenplay are again handled by Erika Yoshida, who was involved in "Bocchi the Rock!" and the NHK morning drama "Tora ni Tsubasa." The original character design is by Yuu Inami, while the character design for the film version is by Nozomi Tachibana.
The new key visual shows the five aspiring witches Yuina, Azu, Kyōka, Choco, and Mai together with the frog spirit Keroppe. The slogan reads: "We may be full of flaws, but we are invincible and immortal!" The artwork was drawn by Nozomi Tachibana.
The main trailer guides viewers through the film and lets Yuina introduce her friends and the frog Keroppe; in the second half, the film's theme song "Amehare Make up" can be heard for the first time. The lyrics were written by Yuki Iwai from the comedy duo Haraitchi. Iwai had already shown himself to be an outspoken fan of the series during the TV broadcast; in 2025, he had a conversation with director Yamamoto and appeared in a radio show together with the project. The music for the song is by EFFY. Director Yamamoto pointed out that the trailer contains numerous newly produced scenes.
In parallel, the project is expanding its ticket offerings: Since August 28 at 10 a.m., the MOVIE WALKER STORE has been selling the "Mubicchiki," a combination of a freshly taken instant photo of the five voice actress idols and an online advance ticket. It costs 3,340 yen including tax and can be ordered until September 23; delivery is planned for mid-October. Additionally, advance tickets with the teaser artwork and a five-piece set with member designs have been available since July 3. On September 25, two "Gunma Local Tickets" will follow, sold only in Gunma Prefecture, for 1,900 yen each: one edition for Lawson United Cinemas Maebashi and a "Sanpai edition" at theaters in Takasaki, Ōta, and Isesaki. From October 9, a second ticket with the new key visual will go on sale nationwide.
There is also musical news. On September 30, the mini-album "春化" (roughly "Spring Blossom") will be released under the Lantis label in two editions for 2,500 yen each. It includes the theme song "Amehare Make up," the song for the second anniversary of Maebashi Witches ("Kimi-iro Brand new day!!"), and the coupling track "Issai Kassai"; in addition, there are 2026 re-recordings of the TV opening "Sugosugi Maebashi Witches!" and the TV ending "Sorezore no Door."
A live performance by the group is also planned for January 2027: On January 15 and 16, three performances of the concert "Gekijōban 'Maebashi Witches' Live: EPISODE of EMOEMORIES – Chapter 1 to 5" will take place at Shibuya LOVEZ in Tokyo, which aims to recreate the film on stage. A first advance sales round via lottery started on August 28 at 12 p.m. through eplus and runs until September 28. Tickets cost between 9,900 and 16,500 yen depending on the category; some categories include an original cassette titled "EMOEMORIES."
Those who want to (re)watch the series can currently stream all twelve episodes for free on the anime's official YouTube channel. The promotion runs from August 28 at 6 p.m. until September 4. The group itself celebrates its second anniversary this fall: On September 26 and 27, the five musicians will hold an anniversary concert at Shōken Gakuen Maebashi Hall in Maebashi.
The voice actresses of Maebashi Witches are Sakura Kasuga (Yuina), Hinano Sakikawa (Azu), Rena Motomura (Kyōka), Haruka Minami (Choco), and Honami Momose (Mai); Keroppe is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita. The music is by Yuri Habuka, with music production by Bandai Namco Music Live. Sunrise is responsible for the work and production, with Bandai Namco Filmworks and PROJECT MBWM serving as production companies.
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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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