2026’s All You Need Is Kill Is A Near-Perfect Take On The Classic Sci-Fi Story [Review]

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This year, it was revealed that a full anime movie is being made based on All You Need Is Kill, the book that inspired the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow. Because Edge of Tomorrow wasn’t a huge hit, most people thought the story wouldn’t get any sequels or adaptations, making this announcement a real surprise.

I recently had the chance to see All You Need Is Kill at New York Comic Con, and honestly, I was blown away. Even though it doesn’t officially come out until January 2026, it’s been making the festival circuit, and it’s truly fantastic from beginning to end. I’d say it’s a nearly perfect adaptation of the source material – one of the best I’ve seen.

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5

PROS CONS
Visually stunning with masterful use of CGI. Character designs might come across as more weird than stylistic to some.
Changes the original narrative into something equally provoking while still respecting the source material.
The main characters have more depth than they’ve ever been given in any version of the story.

Why All You Need Is Kill Is One Of Modern Anime’s Most Visually Stunning Films

One of the first things you’ll notice about All You Need Is Kill is its unique look. Because it’s an animated film, unlike the live-action Edge of Tomorrow, it features highly stylized 3D animation. This style can feel unusual, particularly if you’re familiar with the manga by Takeshi Obata.

Thankfully, none of that detracts from the movie. The visual style of All You Need Is Kill actually enhances the story’s dreamlike quality, and the 3D animation is surprisingly fluid and natural – a real showcase of the skill of the team at Studio 4°C, avoiding the stiffness sometimes seen in computer-generated anime.

The animation is truly impressive, creating breathtaking visuals for both exciting action sequences and the story’s dreamlike moments. The final scene perfectly blends these strengths, and overall, this might be the best 3D anime you’ll find.

The film’s incredible visuals are largely thanks to director Ken’ichiro Akimoto. While this is his first time directing a full film, he’s well known for his CGI work on Children of the Sea, which gave him exactly the right skills to make All You Need Is Kill look so amazing.

How All You Need Is Kill Changes Its Story For The Better

The most remarkable aspect of All You Need Is Kill is its story. Similar to the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow, it’s not a direct translation of the source material. The war itself is entirely different, and the roles of the main characters are flipped: Rita Vrataski takes the lead, while Keiji Kiriya becomes the supporting character – a significant change from the original story.

Despite the changes, the story works remarkably well. The fresh perspective on the original tale, the complex emotional journey Rita experiences as she deals with family issues, and the enjoyable dynamic of the male lead finally supporting her, all contribute to a unique and respectful reimagining of the source material.

The relationship between Rita and Keiji is the most compelling part of the film. What makes it special is that they’re portrayed as equals, unlike previous versions of the story. This, along with other changes, allows for more emotionally impactful and entertaining character development for both of them, both together and individually.

Honestly, the movie All You Need Is Kill really stuck the landing with its ending! It’s actually more upbeat and definitive than the original novel and manga. They even took some ideas directly from Edge of Tomorrow, which is awesome. But considering how much the story changed and how downbeat the original ending was, this new one feels not just right, but genuinely satisfying and emotionally relieving. It’s a perfect way to wrap things up!

Is The All You Need Is Kill Anime The Best Version Of The Story?

Overall, All You Need Is Kill is a really enjoyable experience. It stands out with its beautiful art and animation, and the story changes are well done – they add fresh elements while still honoring the original, making it great for both longtime fans and newcomers.

In many ways, this anime surpasses all previous adaptations of the story. It’s more hopeful than the novel and manga, but in a way that feels natural, and unlike Edge of Tomorrow, it stays true to the original plot, making it a stronger and more well-executed work overall.

Those stories aren’t necessarily bad, but the anime adaptation takes them to a whole new level, making everything else seem weak in comparison. Studio 4°C’s All You Need Is Kill is easily one of the best anime movies to come out recently, and it’s a must-watch when it’s released next January.

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2025-10-28 18:40