Entertainment
30 July 2026
Link copied to clipboardThe upcoming adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga “Princess Knight” has a release date: THE RIBBON HERO premieres worldwide on Netflix on August 8. Netflix also revealed the final trailer, introducing additional voice cast members.
In the final trailer, we see Sapphire driven from her homeland, forging bonds with new companions in a distant land, and bravely confronting the looming calamity, Nergal, as the Ribbon Knight. After repeated invasions by Nergal, the people have all but given up resisting. Yet Sapphire refuses to surrender. Donning a veil, she transforms and throws herself into battle with unwavering resolve. Her courage stirs something in those around her, sparking a positive change in the hearts of her companions. Meanwhile, the cryptic character Velvet delivers unsettling lines that heighten the tension and mystery surrounding their true motives.
When Sapphire falters and voices her doubts, it is the words of her companions — those who believe in her — that push her forward. The trailer teases the growth of each character as well as exhilarating action sequences, raising expectations for the film.
The final trailer also unveils five new cast members who play Sapphire’s fellow workers at the mining site: Yoshimasa Hosoya voices Rock; Mito Tsukino plays Hecate; Yusuke Tezuka plays Chorogy; Lunlun plays Chick; and Debidebi Debiru plays Tack. Mito Tsukino, Lunlun, and Debidebi Debiru are VTubers affiliated with the virtual YouTuber group NIJISANJI. For all three, this marks their first time performing as voice actors in an anime production.
Yuki Igarashi, regarded as one of the industry’s most versatile animators, directs the film. He first drew wide attention for the sophisticated animation he handled alone as key animator on the ending sequence of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1. His directorial debut, Star Wars: Visions - Lop & Ochō, received high praise in Japan and abroad for its delicate storytelling and dynamic action scenes. THE RIBBON HERO marks Igarashi’s first time directing a feature-length film.
Kei Mochizuki provides the original character designs, bringing experience from creating many fan-favorite characters for games such as Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu. Mai Yoneyama, who served as ending director on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and LAZARUS, joins as a collaborator on the character concepts. Issei Arakaki serves as animation character designer, while Cedric Herold takes on the role of art director. Animation is produced by OUTLINE, a studio led by director Igarashi and known for its compelling character designs and visually striking animation.
THE RIBBON HERO premieres August 8, only on Netflix.
Introduction Sapphire is the princess of a kingdom that no longer exists. Having lost everything in her homeland of Silverland to the calamity known as “Nergal,” she wanders in despair until she finally arrives in Goldland.
Though burdened by her past, she begins to find a glimmer of hope as she encounters the kindness of the people there. But as if to sneer at her peaceful new life, the calamity Nergal appears once more. The very despair that once reduced her homeland to ashes now threatens to steal the light from this land as well.
“I won’t lose anything ever again. And I won’t let anyone else lose anything either.” Brushing away her tears of sorrow, the girl takes up her sword. This is the story of a lone hero who ties her ribbon and resolves to defy her fate.
Production Information Director: Yuki Igarashi Inspired by “Princess Knight” by Osamu Tezuka Script Associate: Komura Junko Original Character Design: Kei Mochizuki Character Design Cooperation: Mai Yoneyama Animation Character Design: Issei Arakaki Artistic direction: Cedric Herole Nergal Design: okama Art Director: Masanobu Nomura Color Design: Natsumi Watabe CG Director: Akine Nagamine Compositing Director: Hikaru Fukuda Editor: Junichi Uematsu Music: Satoru Kosaki(MONACA), Ryuichi Takada(MONACA) Sound Director: Keiichiro Miyoshi Sound Production: TOHOKUSHINSHA FILM CORPORATION Production: TWIN ENGINE Animation: OUTLINE
©TWIN ENGINE