Highlights
- Netflix announced Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, a sci-fi anime film premiering Jan 22, 2026.
- The story reimagines the classic "Bamboo Cutter" folklore as a futuristic tale of virtual idols.
- Directed by Shingo Yamashita, it offers a high-energy contrast to Studio Ghibli’s 2013 masterpiece.
Netflix has officially confirmed its expansion into the anime world with the announcement of Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, a bold new feature film premiering exclusively on the platform on Jan 22, 2026. This ambitious project seeks to reinterpret "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", the ancient Japanese folklore that famously served as the foundation for Studio Ghibli’s critically acclaimed 2013 film, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
However, Netflix is taking a radically different approach. While the Ghibli classic is revered for its historical setting and quiet elegance, Netflix is transporting the narrative into a high-energy future filled with virtual worlds and pop idols.
The production boasts a powerhouse creative team. It is being backed by Studio Colorido, known for Drifting Home and A Whisker Away, in collaboration with Studio Chromato. Leading the creative charge is director Shingo Yamashita, a creative force beloved by anime fans for directing the visually explosive opening sequences of hit series like Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1.
The plot centres on 17-year-old Iroha, whose busy life is upended when she meets a mysterious girl from the moon claiming to be the contemporary Princess Kaguya. Together, they enter a virtual world known as "Tsukuyomi" to rewrite their destinies by becoming idols. The first trailer teases vibrant character designs and eye-catching animation, signalling a major departure from the traditional tale.
The Legacy of Studio Ghibli
By revisiting this specific story, Netflix is inviting inevitable comparisons to one of the most respected animated films of all time. Released over a decade ago in 2013, Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya remains the studio’s highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes, holding a rare and perfect 100% score.
Directed by the late Isao Takahata, the 137-minute masterpiece is celebrated for its unique artistic style, which mimics the movement of traditional Japanese scroll paintings with soft colors and expressive brushwork. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015 and is widely considered one of the studio’s most gorgeous and poetic achievements to date.
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
The original folklore dates back to the Heian period (794 AD–1185 AD) and tells the story of an old bamboo cutter who discovers a small infant inside a shining stalk. As the girl matures into a beautiful young woman, she rejects courtly suitors by giving them impossible tasks.
Takahata’s adaptation effectively captured the story’s ethereal tone, exploring human faults, wishes, and emotions in a way that left audiences deeply moved. It stands as a work of unforgettably unique art, making it a high bar for any modern adaptation to clear.
Despite the massive legacy of the Ghibli version, Netflix aims to honor the core themes of the folktale while offering a fresh experience for a digital-native audience. The shift from Heian-period bamboo forests to a sci-fi virtual frontier suggests a "magical makeover" designed to renew interest in the lunar princess for viewers around the world.
Whether this high-tech reinterpretation can capture the same emotional depth as its predecessor remains to be seen, but audiences can decide for themselves when Cosmic Princess Kaguya! begins streaming in early 2026.
