Netflix’s Hit Anime Confirms Surprise Theatrical Run, But There’s a Catch

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January 2026 started strong with a lot of new anime releases, but none could compete with the popularity of the original film Cosmic Princess Kaguya. Released on Netflix on January 22nd, this visually stunning sci-fi fantasy quickly became a hit, reaching over a million views worldwide in just three days. It continued to gain momentum and became the most successful anime film released on the platform last month. The film even received support from famous manga artists like Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen), and Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man), who all created special illustrations to celebrate its release.

Shortly after its release, the anime shared some exciting visuals on its official X account. Due to the huge popularity of Cosmic Princess Kaguya, the anime will have a special one-week run in theaters starting February 20th, 2026. A new trailer was also released to announce the news. The event will include special screenings with audience participation, as well as talk shows. As a thank you, attendees will receive an A5 booklet filled with original artwork. Currently, these screenings are only available in Japan, and there’s no word yet on whether the film will be shown in U.S. theaters. All of these details were announced on the anime’s official website.

What Happens in Cosmic Princess Kaguya?

This new supernatural film offers a fresh take on the classic Japanese story, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It marks the first feature film directed by Shingo Yamashita, who is well-known for directing the exciting opening scenes of popular anime like Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 and Chainsaw Man. The story follows two girls who connect through music while performing in Tsukuyomi, a virtual world built on dreams and aspirations. We meet Iroha Sakayori, a 17-year-old student in Tokyo, who balances school with a part-time job.

I’m completely hooked on this story! It centers around a woman who finds solace in watching Yachiyo Runami, this amazing streamer who also runs Tsukuyomi. Then, things get weird. She spots this incredibly bright telephone pole, and out pops the cutest little baby! She couldn’t possibly leave her, so she brings her home, but the baby doesn’t stay little for long – she grows up fast, quickly becoming a girl about the same age! And get this – it turns out she’s Princess Kaguya, but she’s… well, a bit spoiled and self-centered. It’s such a wild setup, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

As they grow closer, the two characters start making music together, not realizing that dangerous powers are plotting to recapture the princess and return her to the moon. After the film’s release, a manga adaptation was also published and can be found on Comic Walker, a Japanese website run by Kadokawa Shoten. Unfortunately, there’s been no news yet about whether the manga will be available in English outside of Japan.

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2026-02-08 00:44