Image: Twin Engine
AMBot | 05/26/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
Streaming service Netflix has announced the casting of the lead role in its upcoming anime film «THE RIBBON HERO». Japanese comedian and actress Saya of the duo Lalande will voice the protagonist Sapphire. The film is based on Osamu Tezuka's legendary manga «Ribbon no Kishi» (Princess Knight) and will premiere worldwide exclusively on Netflix on August 8, 2026.
At the same time, Netflix released a new key visual and the first teaser trailer. The poster shows Sapphire in her transformed state, sword drawn and with a determined look, surrounded by her untransformed version and three new characters. The trailer begins with a devastated kingdom scene and Sapphire's anguished cry, before she is enveloped in ribbons and gains the power of transformation. «I will never let anyone lose anything again,» she speaks with full determination.
Direction is handled by Yuki Igarashi, who previously gained attention through the ending animation of the first season of «Jujutsu Kaisen» and the short film «Star Wars: Visions – Lop & Ochō». «THE RIBBON HERO» is his first feature-length film. Character design is by Kei Mochizuki (Fate/Grand Order, Touken Ranbu ONLINE), supported by Mai Yoneyama (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners). Animation production is handled by Igarashi's own studio OUTLINE in collaboration with Twin Engine. Additional staff members include composers Satoru Kosaki and Ryuichi Takada from MONACA, as well as script coordinator Komura Junko.
The story is set in a fantasy kingdom: Princess Sapphire loses her homeland Silverland to the catastrophe Nergal and finds refuge in Goldland, where she gains new hope. But Nergal returns and threatens this place as well. Sapphire shakes off her tears, takes up the sword, and becomes the hero who challenges her fate.
Saya, who is already active in various drama series and as a singer for the band Raisan, takes on her first lead role in a feature-length anime here. She admits: «I had respect for the meticulous work in the anime field. But the director told me that my own background overlaps with Sapphire's fate – that gave me the necessary determination.» She focused entirely on bringing Sapphire's inner voice to the forefront. «I haven't been this excited about a challenge since I turned 30.»
The film has also been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 in the «Annecy Presents» program, underscoring international expectations. Official materials can be found on the website theribbonhero.com as well as on X and TikTok under the account theribbonhero.
At the same time, Netflix released a new key visual and the first teaser trailer. The poster shows Sapphire in her transformed state, sword drawn and with a determined look, surrounded by her untransformed version and three new characters. The trailer begins with a devastated kingdom scene and Sapphire's anguished cry, before she is enveloped in ribbons and gains the power of transformation. «I will never let anyone lose anything again,» she speaks with full determination.
Direction is handled by Yuki Igarashi, who previously gained attention through the ending animation of the first season of «Jujutsu Kaisen» and the short film «Star Wars: Visions – Lop & Ochō». «THE RIBBON HERO» is his first feature-length film. Character design is by Kei Mochizuki (Fate/Grand Order, Touken Ranbu ONLINE), supported by Mai Yoneyama (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners). Animation production is handled by Igarashi's own studio OUTLINE in collaboration with Twin Engine. Additional staff members include composers Satoru Kosaki and Ryuichi Takada from MONACA, as well as script coordinator Komura Junko.
The story is set in a fantasy kingdom: Princess Sapphire loses her homeland Silverland to the catastrophe Nergal and finds refuge in Goldland, where she gains new hope. But Nergal returns and threatens this place as well. Sapphire shakes off her tears, takes up the sword, and becomes the hero who challenges her fate.
Saya, who is already active in various drama series and as a singer for the band Raisan, takes on her first lead role in a feature-length anime here. She admits: «I had respect for the meticulous work in the anime field. But the director told me that my own background overlaps with Sapphire's fate – that gave me the necessary determination.» She focused entirely on bringing Sapphire's inner voice to the forefront. «I haven't been this excited about a challenge since I turned 30.»
The film has also been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 in the «Annecy Presents» program, underscoring international expectations. Official materials can be found on the website theribbonhero.com as well as on X and TikTok under the account theribbonhero.
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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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