A new original anime movie, L’étoile de Paris en fleur, has been announced with a March 13, 2026 premiere date for Japan. The film is directed by Goro Taniguchi, known as the director of ONE PIECE FILM RED and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, with character designs by Katsuya Kondo, the character designer behind Ghibli’s Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea and Kiki’s Delivery Service, as well as the PlayStation 2 game Jade Cocoon. This marks the first collaboration between these two creators.
Set in the early 1900s, L’étoile de Paris en fleur will follow the story of two Japanese girls pursuing their dreams. Fujiko dreams of becoming a painter, while Chizuru is drawn to ballet. The two first meet in Yokohama and later reunite in Paris, where they strive to reach their own “étoiles” (stars) despite the obstacles.
The main character, Fujiko, will be voiced by rising star actress Ami Toma. Known for her lead role in the animated feature Lonely Castle in the Mirror, she will also star in the 2025 live-action adaptation Chihayafuru: Full Circle and the film Strawberry Moon. Toma described Fujiko as “the complete opposite” of herself, but said that portraying a young woman who defies convention to chase her dream in a foreign country gave her courage and inspiration.
Director Taniguchi revealed that L’étoile de Paris en fleur has been in production since the COVID-19 pandemic, built up gradually like an independent film. Kondo shared that his involvement began seven years ago when a producer from Arvo Animation visited him at his home in Nagano to request character designs. He declined at first, but was eventually convinced to take on the project. While it began as concept art, he eventually also ended up being involved in key animation as well.
The full staff for the movie includes:
- Director: Goro Taniguchi
- Script: Reiko Yoshida
- Character Concept: Katsuya Kondo
- Character Design: Yu Yamashita
- Researcher: Seiichi Shirato
- Art Director: Yuji Kaneko
- Color Design: Akiko Shibata
- Director of Photography: Tsunetaka Ema
- Character Acting Director: Yuriko Chiba
- 3DCG Director: Hisayasu Kamiya
- Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
- Prop Design: Tomomi Ozaki
- Mechanical Design: Fumihiro Katagai
- Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
- Music: Takayuki Hattori
- Animation Production: ARVO ANIMATION
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Source: L’étoile de Paris en fleur Official Website
© L’étoile de Paris en fleur Production Committee
Featured image:
Code Geass ©SUNRISE/PROJECT GEASS・MBS
Jade Cocoon © 1998 Genki Co., Ltd.
