Image:Ribbon Hero – Twin Engine
From the studio that brought Netflix subscribers Cosmic Princess Kaguya and Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain, a brand new and exciting anime film is set to debut on Netflix on August 8, 2026: ribbon hero. Inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s manga Princess Knight, the new anime feature will be released on Netflix worldwide. Here’s everything we know about it ribbon hero On Netflix.
Ribbon Hero is an upcoming Japanese Netflix Original anime film directed by Yuki Igarashi, who previously worked as a lead animator on the first season of Jujutsu Kaisen, and made his directorial debut in the Star Wars Visions episode Lope & Ocho. The film will be the director’s first feature-length film. The film’s animation is being produced by Igarashi’s studio OUTLINE.
Here’s what Igarashi said to Netflix about the film, and his respect for the source material’s creator, Osamu Tezuka:
“For this film, I expressed my respect for ‘Princess Knight’ creator Osamu Tezuka, Takarazuka Review’s Ichizo Kobayashi, who is at the core of the work, and for the supreme, classic entertainment they brought to the world. They created their works even while overcoming hardships like infectious diseases and war, and those works became the foundation of our culture. To everyone who lived in this era, I hope you enjoy this blood-stirring, I believe that what is heart-warming is ‘true’ mainstream entertainment.”
The film is inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s beloved manga. princess knightAnd their iconic characters, including Sapphire, are getting brand new original designs from Kei Mochizuki, who previously worked on the Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu games.
Image: Princess Knight illustrated by Osamu Tezuka
Tezuka is joined by Mai Yoneyama, who is collaborating on character concepts and previously served as director of FINAL Cyberpunk: Edgerunner And Lazarus. The extensive production team also includes script collaborator Komura Junko, animation character designer Kazunari Arakaki, artistic director Cedric Herole and music by Satoru Kosaki and Ryuichi Takada (Monaka).
when is it ribbon hero Coming to Netflix?
Netflix has officially confirmed this ribbon hero will be released worldwide 8 August 2026. The film will also premiere at the Annecy Film Festival, with multiple screenings throughout the week.
To coincide with the release date, Netflix released a brand new teaser trailer (see above) and key art (see below along with previously released key art). The trailer depicts haunting scenes of a kingdom struck by disaster, the heartbreaking scream of a badly injured Sapphire and a mysterious figure with a menacing smile. The new artwork highlights a charming, modern interpretation of the beloved character Sapphire in her pre-transformation form – marked by a striking red ribbon – and her transformed hero, with three brand new characters.
what is the plot of ribbon hero?
Netflix has released an updated and detailed synopsis for the upcoming film:
“Sapphire is the princess of a kingdom that no longer exists. After losing everything in her homeland Silverland in a disaster called ‘Nergal’, she wanders in despair until she finally reaches Goldland.
Despite being burdened by his past, he begins to see a ray of hope when he encounters the kindness of the people there. But as if to mock his peaceful new life, calamity Nergal appears once again. The same despair that once reduced his homeland to ashes now threatens to steal the light from this land too.
‘I will never lose anything again. And I won’t let anyone else lose anything.’ Wiping her tears of grief, the girl picks up her sword. This is the story of a lone hero who ties the ribbon and resolves to challenge his destiny.”
We also have a synopsis from the original manga, which provides background details on the source material:
“Set in a medieval fairy-tale backdrop, Princess Knight tells the story of a young princess named Sapphire who must pretend to be a male prince so she can inherit the throne. Women have long been prevented from taking the throne, but Sapphire is not discouraged and instead she fully embraces the role, becoming a swashbuckling heroine the populace is proud of.”
Have any cast members been revealed?
Yes! it has been announced Saya (Lalande) Will play the lead role of Neelmani. This will be his first leading role in a feature-length animated production.
Sharing her excitement, Saya said that director Yuki Igarashi told her that there were aspects of Sapphire’s background and upbringing that matched her own background:
“Now that I’m over 30, I’ve never had a job where I’ve had to struggle and enjoy the challenge so much. I’d love to see it!”
Are you curious to watch? ribbon hero On Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
