We Are Aliens Anime Film Sets September 25 Release
The highly anticipated anime film We Are Aliens, a collaboration between distribution label TOHO NEXT and production company NOTHING NEW, is officially set to open in theaters across Japan on September 25. This exciting announcement arrived on Saturday, accompanied by an updated teaser trailer revealing the new premiere date. Anime enthusiasts nationwide can now mark their calendars for what promises to be a deeply moving cinematic experience from the visionary Kōhei Kadowaki.
A Journey Through Friendship and Forgiveness
We Are Aliens delves into the complex relationship between Tsubasa and Gyōtarō, two boys whose bond began in elementary school. What started as a close friendship eventually fractured under the weight of jealousy and misunderstandings, driving them apart. Years later, as young adults, their lives have taken vastly different paths. However, the resurgence of their shared past compels them to confront the unresolved emotions and events that shaped their separation. The film explores themes of memory, regret, and the challenging path towards reconciliation, promising an emotional narrative that resonates with audiences.
Featuring a Stellar Voice Cast
The film boasts a talented lineup of voice actors bringing Tsubasa and Gyōtarō to life across different stages of their lives. Ryōta Bandō, known for his roles in Fureru and the Japanese dub of live-action How to Train Your Dragon, lends his voice to the adult Tsubasa. Amane Okayama, recognized for his work in Blue Giant, live-action I's, and Hirayasumi, portrays the adult Gyōtarō. For their younger counterparts, child actors Yūto Maki and Tasuku Nakagome — both discovered through a rigorous audition process — voice elementary school-aged Tsubasa and Gyōtarō, respectively. This dual casting aims to capture the evolving nuances of their characters.
Visionary Direction and Creative Collaboration
Kōhei Kadowaki is at the helm of We Are Aliens, showcasing his multifaceted talent as the film's planner, scriptwriter, director, storyboard artist, and editor. Kadowaki's previous notable works include creating the compelling ending sequence for the second season of BEASTARS and directing music videos for YOASOBI, demonstrating his unique artistic vision. The film's atmospheric score is composed by Yaffle, a renowned producer who has previously crafted music for artists like Fujii Kaze and Kenshi Yonezu. NOTHING NEW, founded in 2022 with a mission "to create a world where talent is not crushed," took on the planning and production roles for this upcoming feature. French studio Miyu Productions, recognized for Ghost Cat Anzu and A New Dawn, also collaborated on the production, having joined the project in June 2025.
Festival Acclaim and Global Reach
Before its domestic release, We Are Aliens garnered international attention on the film festival circuit. The movie was proudly screened at the Directors' Fortnight of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on May 14, receiving early critical acclaim. It also competed at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, which commenced on Sunday and concluded on June 27, further solidifying its presence on the global animation stage. International sales are being handled by CHARADES, which has successfully licensed the film to distributors worldwide. These include Hooray Films in Taiwan, Shaw Organisation in Singapore, Intercontinental Film Distributors in Hong Kong, and Sahamongkol Film in Thailand, ensuring a wide international audience for the film.
Empowered by Community Support
The production of We Are Aliens was significantly bolstered by a successful crowdfunding campaign launched on the Motion Gallery website in November. The campaign's primary goals were to enhance the quality of the animation and to ensure wider distribution for the film. It not only met but impressively exceeded its target of 8 million yen, raising a total of 9,604,510 yen (approximately US$60,467) by its conclusion on March 2. This overwhelming community support underscores the anticipation and excitement surrounding Kōhei Kadowaki's latest work, promising a high-quality and widely accessible film for all to enjoy.
