A new anime film based on Osamu Tezuka’s Ribbon no Kishi (Princess Knight) has been announced, marking the franchise’s first new anime project in 27 years. Titled THE RIBBON HERO, the film is set for a global release on Netflix this August.
The original Ribbon no Kishi manga debuted in 1953 and follows Sapphire, a princess born with both a boy’s and a girl’s heart, who takes on the role of a masked hero. The series later received a TV anime adaptation in 1967-1968, with the most recent animated project being a short film shown in 1999.
The new film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, known for his work on JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 1 ending animation and Star Wars: Visions. This will mark his first feature-length directorial project. The main staff includes;
- Director: Yuki Igarashi
- Original Character Design: Kei Mochizuki
- Character Design Cooperation: Mai Yoneyama
- Animation Character Design: Issei Arakaki
- Art Direction: Cedric Herole
- Production: TWIN ENGINE
- Animation Production: OUTLINE
You can see the teaser visual below.
Staff comments were also shared:
Director: Yuki Igarashi
“For this film, I poured in my respect for Osamu Tezuka, the creator of ‘Princess Knight’, for Ichizo Kobayashi of the Takarazuka Revue, which lies at the root of the work, and for the supreme, classic entertainment they brought into the world. They also created their works while overcoming hardships such as infectious diseases and war, and those works became the very foundation of our culture. To everyone living in this era, I hope you enjoy this blood‑stirring, heart‑pounding piece of what I believe is ‘true’ mainstream entertainment.”
Original Character Design: Kei Mochizuki
“I have always thought about two things: how to show my full respect to Osamu Tezuka, and what is needed as a modern illustrator to design this new work. I aimed for a balance between those ideas while staying true to my own style. It is a great honor to be involved in such a delicate and powerful project as my first anime work. Thank you for your support.”
Original Character Design Support: Mai Yoneyama
“Since Ribbon no Kishi is the original concept, I feel honored to be involved, even in a small way, with a work I watched when I was young. THE RIBBON HERO will be reborn with new expressions that only creators of this era can achieve. I hope you look forward to it.”
Animation Character Design: Issei Araraki
“I’ve always liked Igarashi’s work, so I helped out a bit in the early stages, just sketching and having fun. Then I saw how incredible Mochizuki’s designs were, and how impressive Hérole’s work was, and I wanted to stay involved a little longer… before I knew it, I somehow ended up as the character designer. That happens sometimes. I’m really glad to be part of this project.”
Art Director: Cédric Hérole
“When I was introduced to the project, I was surprised. I didn’t expect the characters to take on a cooler style compared to the original. I challenged myself to build a unique world that matches them. It was fun to imagine many different ideas. I hope the film leaves audiences with a range of impressions, like ‘warm but somehow unsettling,’ ‘that was unexpected,’ or ‘what a journey.’”
Source: Press Release, Oricon
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