One Piece Veteran Breaks Silence on Overcoming a Major Anime Problem in Upcoming Film: “Projects Tend To Be Driven By Men”

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The new original film, L’etoile de Paris en fleur, is scheduled to premiere on March 13th, 2026. It’s directed by Goro Taniguchi, known for his work on popular series like Code Geass and One Piece Film: Red. While a worldwide release date hasn’t been announced, the film is already generating excitement thanks to its talented creative team. Katsuya Kondo, famed for his character designs in Studio Ghibli classics like Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, and Princess Mononoke, is designing the characters for this new film. Adding to the team’s expertise, Reiko Yoshida, a seasoned anime screenwriter, is handling the script.

She’s known for popular anime like Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice, Blue Period, and D.Gray-man, to name just a few. With the film’s release approaching, director Taniguchi and chief animation director Yu Yamashita recently spoke with Mantan Web about how it was made.

L’etoile de Paris en fleur Director Discusses Making a Major Change in The Film

I recently spoke with the director about why they chose Paris as the setting for the film. They explained that Paris is instantly recognizable and iconic – everyone knows it. They considered other options, but felt a futuristic setting would veer into science fiction, and a modern-day Japan wouldn’t quite capture the right feeling to draw audiences in. Plus, they specifically wanted to appeal to female viewers, and they struggled to come up with compelling visuals or a story that felt right if the film was set in historical Japan.

When asked if the film was primarily for female viewers, given its focus on two girls, director Taniguchi explained that he aimed for a broad audience. He intentionally avoided science fiction or robot themes, as many anime projects are geared towards men, and he wanted to create something a bit different.

Taniguchi, known for his work on popular series like Code Geass and One Piece, has noticed that most films and shows are made for men. His new film is a departure from his previous projects, telling the story of two girls pursuing their dreams in Paris. Because of this, Taniguchi aimed to create a movie that appeals to a broad audience, rather than focusing on a specific group.

What Is the Plot of L’etoile de Paris en fleur?

The story takes place in 1912 and centers on Fujiko, a young woman with two aspirations: to become an artist and a supportive wife. After five years apart, she reconnects with Chizuru and assists her in pursuing her dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Fujiko enlists the help of Olga, a former Russian ballerina, to give Chizuru lessons. Olga’s son, Ruslan, lives in the same building as Fujiko, and their lives become connected through a series of chance encounters.

The story follows a group of girls working towards their goals, but Fujiko faces a crisis when her uncle—her only family—vanishes, leaving her to survive on her own. As they continue to chase their dreams, they aim to inspire hope in others. The latest trailer also revealed key staff members, including art designer Yuji Kaneko, whose work can be seen in popular films like Weathering With You, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, Blue Period, and Heavenly Delusion.

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2026-03-10 04:41