Director Yasuomi Umetsu and Studio SHAFT (known for Puella Magi Madoka Magica) have unleashed their latest original anime project onto U.S. screens with the domestic theatrical release of Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl (Dub). Hitting theaters November 13th, the film promises a return to the visceral, high-octane cyberpunk action Umetsu is famous for.
Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl is the first installment in an original film series, delivering a dystopian narrative that blends mechanical sci-fi with hardboiled suspense.
The story transports audiences to the year 2099, a futuristic society where the development of Medical Android Technology known as “Somadea” has allowed humanity to conquer virtually all illnesses and injuries. However, this miracle technology has created a new class of super-powered criminals who illegally modify Somadea for nefarious purposes.
To combat this misuse, the government institutes a brutal Bounty Hunter System. The rules are chillingly simple for registered civilians who hunt the targets: “Bring the brain of a wanted criminal possessing illegal Somadea to the authorities. Whether the target is alive or dead… is irrelevant.”
The film follows Ubu Kamigori (also referred to as Kaminaga Umai), a young woman navigating this unforgiving world as a bounty hunter. Her destiny takes a turbulent turn when she encounters a mysterious figure from her past, the enigmatic and dangerous Mr. Elegance, setting in motion a suspenseful tale woven by mechanical girls and the smell of gunpowder smoke.
Fans of classic, dark anime have a reason to celebrate. Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl is helmed by director and character designer Yasuomi Umetsu, whose distinctive visual style and flair for gritty action are hallmarks of influential works like Kite and Mezzo Forte. Umetsu’s return as a dedicated animation director marks his first such role in over a decade, making this a highly anticipated event for animation enthusiasts.
The animation is produced by Studio SHAFT, known for its unique visual compositions in popular series like the Monogatari franchise and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. This collaboration promises a visually arresting film that merges Umetsu’s intense action choreography with SHAFT’s sophisticated and experimental aesthetic.
The U.S. theatrical release of the Dubbed version runs for approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes and features exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Director Yasuomi Umetsu and SHAFT Animation Studio, making the trip to the theater a must for fans.