Netflix to Show Anime Film 'The Ribbon Hero' in August Based on an Idea by Osamu Tezuka

Streaming platform Netflix has announced the worldwide premiere of the new anime film 'The Ribbon Hero' (Japanese title: 'THE RIBBON HERO リボンヒーロー') for August 2026. The film is based on an original idea by Osamu Tezuka, the creator of the famous manga series 'Ribbon no Kishi' (known in the West as 'Princess Knight').

Directed by renowned animator Yuki Igarashi, who is known for, among other things, the ending sequence of the first season of the hit 'Jujutsu Kaisen', 'The Ribbon Hero' marks Igarashi's directorial debut for a feature-length film. The animation production comes from his own studio OUTLINE, while Twin Engine serves as the film's producer.

Alongside Igarashi, a high-caliber team has been assembled: The original character design comes from Kei Mochizuki, who has previously worked on games such as 'Fate/Grand Order' and 'Touken Ranbu'. He receives support with character design from Mai Yoneyama. Kazunari Arakaki is responsible for the animation character design, and Cedric Herolle takes on the artistic direction.

A first teaser visual, drawn by Kei Mochizuki, shows the young main character, whose striking red ribbon is a direct homage to the source material 'Ribbon no Kishi'. The accompanying slogan 'I don't want to be the person someone else wants me to be' hints at the heroine's inner conflict as she rebels against the expectations of her surroundings. The film tells the story of a hero who defies a cruel fate – a modern interpretation of the classic knight-princess Sapphire from Tezuka's original.

Director Yuki Igarashi expressed his deep respect for the legacy on which his film is built: 'In this film, I have poured all my respect for Osamu Tezuka, the creator of 'Princess Knight', as well as for Ichizo Kobayashi of the Takarazuka Revue, which forms the root of this work. They created their masterpieces under the most difficult conditions, such as epidemics and wars, and these works have become the foundation of our culture. I hope that everyone living in this era will enjoy this gripping and stirring piece of true mainstream entertainment.'

Character designer Kei Mochizuki commented on his work: 'I have always kept two things in mind: first, to express complete respect for Osamu Tezuka, and second, to define what is necessary to create this new work as a modern illustrator [...] I aimed for a design that does not lean too much in one direction or the other, but still unmistakably carries my style.'

Mai Yoneyama, who contributed to the conception of the characters, expressed her delight at being involved in this project: 'The fact that 'Ribbon no Kishi' is the source material is a great honor. I am very happy to be able to contribute even a little bit to this series, which I watched as a child myself.'

Animation character designer Kazunari Arakaki, on the other hand, explained with a wink how he came to his role: 'Because I like director Igarashi's work, I helped out a bit and doodled at the beginning of the planning. When I then saw the drawings by character designer Mochizuki and art director Herolle, I realized how incredibly good they are. I just wanted to be involved in this project a little longer – and then I missed the perfect moment to bow out. That's how I suddenly ended up being responsible for the character design.'

Art director Cedric Herolle explained: 'When the project was presented to me, I was surprised. I didn't think the characters would look even cooler than in the original. I set about creating an individual world that fits the characters.'

Further details about the plot or the specific start date in August are expected at a later time.