From Ancient Myth to Neon Pop: Netflix Announces Original Anime Feature ‘Cosmic Princess Kaguya!’

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Netflix is gearing up to launch an ambitious new original anime feature, Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” (Chō Kaguya-hime!), a film that boldly reimagines one of Japan’s most famous classical folktales, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, through a futuristic, music-driven lens.

The highly anticipated movie is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Netflix on January 22, 2026.

A Modern Reimagining of a Classic Tale

While the film draws inspiration from the centuries-old story of Princess Kaguya, a mysterious girl found inside a glowing bamboo stalk, this adaptation places the narrative in a contemporary, fantasy setting.

The official synopsis teases a story set in the virtual realm of Tsukuyomi. The plot is described as unfolding like a live performance, marrying original music with dazzling, polished visuals to transform the classic tale for a new generation. The core theme revolves around the bonds between two girls connected through “song.”

The Creative Powerhouse

“Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” marks the feature-length directorial debut of Shingo Yamashita. While it is his first full-length film, Yamashita is already a celebrated name in the anime industry, renowned for his visually arresting and dynamic opening sequences for major series, including Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1, Chainsaw Man, and the 2022 Urusei Yatsura reboot.

The director expressed his passion for the project to Netflix’s TUDUM, stating he has “poured into it everything I’ve learned about visual expression, my love for unique characters, and my deep affection for the internet culture that’s continued since the 1990s.”

The animation is a collaboration between the acclaimed Studio Colorido (A Whisker Away, Drifting Home) and Yamashita’s new studio, Studio Chromato.

Vocaloid Producers Headline the Soundtrack

A major component of the film is its soundtrack, which features contributions from some of the most prominent producers associated with the Vocaloid music scene:

  • ryo (supercell): Creator of the Hatsune Miku hit “Melt.”
  • kz (livetune)
  • 40mP
  • HoneyWorks
  • Aqu3ra
  • yuigot

This all-star musical lineup ensures that “Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” will be an auditory spectacle, combining Japan’s oldest myth with cutting-edge modern animation and internet-culture-infused music.