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THE RIBBON HERO リボンヒーロー
The Ribbon Hero, a Netflix animated film based on Osamu Tezuka's Ribbon no Kishi, is streaming worldwide on Netflix since August 8, 2026, with a limited two-week theatrical run in Japan starting September 4, 2026. The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi and produced by Twin Engine with animation by studio OUTLINE.
Synthesized from 11
Yomimono stories · updated
Aug 30
The Ribbon Hero is a feature-length anime adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's 1953 manga Ribbon no Kishi, announced in May 2026 with an August 8 Netflix release date. Director Yuki Igarashi, in his feature directorial debut, leads the project, with character designs by Kei Mochizuki and character design collaboration by Mai Yoneyama. The film is produced by Twin Engine with animation by studio OUTLINE. The story follows Princess Sapphire, who loses her homeland Silverland to a calamity called Nergal and finds a new home in Goldland, where she gains the power to transform into the Ribbon Knight.
The casting of Saya, a comedian from the duo Lalande, as Sapphire drew attention as her first leading role in a feature-length animated production. The cast also includes Seiran Kobayashi as Pine, Kouki Uchiyama as Velvet, and Mayumi Shintani as Zircon. Three Nijisanji VTubers, Mito Tsukino, Lunlun, and Debidebi Debiru, voice roles in their first feature-length anime. The theme song is Reborn by Girls Archives.
The film premiered on Netflix worldwide on August 8, 2026, and was selected for an official screening at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. After streaming, Twin Engine announced a limited two-week theatrical run in Japan starting September 4, 2026, with merchandise including bromide prints and stickers sold through IID's Entertainment Print service. The film is also available with Indonesian dubbing.
Key facts
- Release date
- Streamed worldwide on Netflix starting August 8, 2026. ↗
- Director
- Yuki Igarashi, his first feature-length directorial work. ↗
- Production
- Animation production by studio OUTLINE, production by Twin Engine. ↗
- Source material
- Based on Osamu Tezuka's 1953 manga Ribbon no Kishi, also known as Princess Knight. ↗
- Lead cast
- Saya of comedy duo Lalande voices Sapphire, in her first leading role in a feature-length animated production. ↗
- Theme song
- Reborn performed by Girls Archives. ↗
- Theatrical run
- Limited two-week theatrical run in Japan starting September 4, 2026. ↗
- Merchandise
- Bromides and stickers sold through IID's Entertainment Print service starting August 26, 2026. ↗
- Festival screening
- Selected for an official screening at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. ↗
Timeline
- Aug 27, 2026 The Ribbon Hero Theatrical Run Adds Bromide and Sticker Merch
- Aug 7, 2026 Netflix Film The Ribbon Hero Based on Tezuka Manga Starts Streaming
- Aug 4, 2026 The Ribbon Hero Final Trailer Adds Five Cast Members Ahead of Netflix Premiere
- Jul 31, 2026 Nijisanji VTubers Voice New Roles in Netflix's The Ribbon Hero
- Jul 27, 2026 The Ribbon Hero Film Promo Shows Pine and Sapphire's Bond
- Jul 18, 2026 Summer 2026 Anime Feature Concludes With 6 Titles Including Re:Zero Season 4 Part 2
- Jul 8, 2026 Anime And Manga Worlds Share Tanabata 2026 Wishes
- Jun 27, 2026 Netflix Reveals Episode Art for The One Piece Remake at Annecy
- Jun 23, 2026 The Ribbon Hero Second Trailer Adds Cast, Theme Song by Girls Archives
- May 26, 2026 THE RIBBON HERO Anime Film Sets August 8 Netflix Release, Casts Comedian Saya as Sapphire
- May 23, 2026 Osamu Tezuka's 'Ribbon no Kishi' Reborn as 'THE RIBBON HERO' on Netflix
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Release
- movie · 2026-08-08 · worldwide · 2026-05-26
- Release
- movie · starting September 4 · theaters · 2026-08-27
- Release
- movie · August 8 · Netflix · 2026-08-07
- Release
- tv · August · Netflix · 2026-05-23
- Licensed by
- Netflix (worldwide) · 2026-05-26
- Licensed by
- Netflix (global) · 2026-08-07
- Noted
- first-week visitor gift is a CD with the theme song Reborn, featuring a jacket illustration by character designer Kei Mochizuki. · 2026-08-27
- Noted
- Mentioned as part of the final installment of the summer anime feature. · 2026-07-18
- Announced
- final trailer · 2026-08-04
- Announced
- selected for official screening at Annecy International Animated Film Festival · 2026-06-23
- Announced
- new anime adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic shoujo manga 'Ribbon no Kishi' · 2026-05-23
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/the-ribbon-hero.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about THE RIBBON HERO リボンヒーロー was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed movie starting September 4 theaters 1d ago · source
- Confirmed final trailer 4d ago · source
- Confirmed platform: Netflix; region: worldwide May 28 · source
- Confirmed movie 2026-08-08 worldwide May 28 · source
- Disputed tv August Netflix May 28 · source
- Confirmed new anime adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic shoujo manga 'Ribbon no Kishi' May 28 · source
All coverage
Aug 27
Twin Engine announced on August 27 that the Netflix animated film The Ribbon Hero, based on Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight, will screen in select theaters for a limited two-week run starting September 4. The film has been streaming worldwide on Netflix since August 8. The first-week visitor gift is a CD with the theme song Reborn, featuring a jacket illustration by character designer Kei Mochizuki. The second-week gift will be announced later. Separately, IID began selling character bromides and stickers from the film on August 26 through its Entertainment Print service, available at multi-copy machines in FamilyMart, Lawson, and Ministop stores. The full-body bromides come in 8 types in L and 2L sizes, priced at 300 and 400 yen, while the stickers are a single 2L type at 500 yen. Sales run through March 31, 2027. The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, his first feature-length directorial work, with animation production by studio OUTLINE.
Aug 7
Netflix began streaming the animated film The Ribbon Hero on August 8, 2026. The movie is based on Osamu Tezuka's 1953 manga Ribbon no Kishi, also known as Princess Knight. Director Yuki Igarashi leads the project, marking his first feature-length directorial work. Character designs come from Kei Mochizuki, known for Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu ONLINE, with Mai Yoneyama, who worked on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, as character design collaborator. Animation production is by OUTLINE, with production by Twin Engine. The story follows Sapphire, princess of the lost kingdom Silverland, who loses everything to a calamity called Nergal and arrives in Goldland, where she decides to fight to protect her new home. The cast includes Saya from the comedy duo Lalande as Sapphire, Seiran Kobayashi as Pine, Kouki Uchiyama as Velvet, and Mayumi Shintani as Zircon. The theme song is Reborn by Girls Archives. The film is also available with Indonesian dubbing, handled by Kantana CS Pro Indonesia with Guritno as dialogue director.
Aug 4
Netflix began streaming the final trailer for The Ribbon Hero, the new anime film based on Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight manga, on July 30. The trailer previews the English dub and reveals five new cast members who play Sapphire's coworkers at a mining site. Yoshimasa Hosoya voices Rock, Mito Tsukino voices Hecate, Yusuke Tezuka voices Chorogy, Lunlun voices Chick, and Debidebi Debiru voices Tack. Mito Tsukino, Lunlun, and Debidebi Debiru are VTubers affiliated with NIJISANJI, and these are their first roles in a feature-length anime. The film stars Saya of comedy duo Lalande as Sapphire, in what Netflix says is her first leading role in a feature-length animated production. Seiran Kobayashi voices Pine, Koki Uchiyama voices Velvet, Mayumi Shintani voices Zirco, and Haruhiko Jo voices Pope. Yuuki Igarashi directs the film at his new studio OUTLINE, marking his feature-length directorial debut. The film premieres exclusively on Netflix worldwide on August 8. The story follows Sapphire, a princess who loses her homeland of Silverland to a calamity called Nergal, then finds hope in Goldland before Nergal returns.
Jul 31
Twin Engine announced on July 30 that the Netflix film The Ribbon Hero, based on Osamu Tezuka's classic manga Ribbon no Kishi, has revealed additional cast members and a third trailer. The film, which streams worldwide on Netflix starting August 8, follows Princess Sapphire as she flees her destroyed homeland of Silverland and finds new companions in Goldland. The newly announced cast includes five companions who work with Sapphire at a mining site: Yoshimasa Hosoya as Rock, Mito Tsukino as Hekate, Yusuke Tezuka as Chorogi, Runrun as Chick, and Debidebi Debiru as Tack. Tsukino, Runrun, and Debidebi Debiru are VTubers from the Nijisanji group operated by ANYCOLOR Inc., and this marks the first time all three have voiced roles in a feature-length animated work. Tsukino said she felt the weight of the project but approached it sincerely, while Runrun and Debidebi Debiru, who play twins, described their first voice acting experience as nervous but enjoyable. The third trailer shows Sapphire transforming into the Ribbon Knight to confront the calamity Nergal, with the mysterious Velvet adding tension. The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, with character designs by Kei Mochizuki and animation production by OUTLINE.
Jul 27
Twin Engine released a promotional video for The Ribbon Hero anime film, based on Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight manga. The video focuses on the relationship between Sapphire and her friend Pine. The film premieres on Netflix worldwide on August 8.
Jul 18
ASCII.jp's summer anime feature, which covered over 70 works, wraps up with a final installment spotlighting six streaming titles. The list includes Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World 4th Season: Retribution Arc, THE RIBBON HERO, Victoria with a Large Hand, Cyborg 009 Nemesis, Tomb Raider King, and Star Wars: Visions / The Ninth Jedi.
Jul 8
Anime News Network published a five-part roundup of Tanabata greetings from across the anime, manga, and video game industries on July 7, 2026. The collection includes wishes and illustrations from official accounts for series such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Detective Conan, My Hero Academia, Sakamoto Days, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan, Hell's Paradise, and Dragon Quest. Video game franchises like Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, and Like a Dragon also participated, alongside creators including Hideo Kojima, Yuki Kaji, and Shoko Nakagawa. Several series tied their posts to new releases: the second season of Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers premiered on July 7, My Happy Marriage released a special Tanabata illustration and announced a three-episode special for 2026, and My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked began airing on July 8. The roundup also features greetings from manga titles like Chiikawa, MARRIAGETOXIN, and Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, as well as from studios Tatsunoko Production and Square Enix.
Jun 27
Netflix unveiled the first episode art for "The One Piece," WIT Studio's remake of the original One Piece anime, during its Annecy International Animation Film Festival showcase on Tuesday. The image, titled "Romance Dawn -Dawn of the Adventure-", matches the title of Eiichiro Oda's manga's first volume and chapter. The streamer also confirmed that Mayumi Tanaka will reprise her role as Monkey D. Luffy, a role she has held since 1999. The seven-episode first season, covering the East Blue saga through the first 50 manga chapters, will run approximately 300 minutes and stream worldwide on Netflix in February 2027. Masashi Koizuka directs, with Hideaki Abe as assistant director. Character designers and chief animation directors are Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. Taku Kishimoto handles series scripts. The teaser trailer debuted at a separate "Next on Netflix Animation" panel on June 24. The remake was first announced at Jump Festa '24 in December 2023.
Jun 23
The second trailer for the feature-length anime film "The Ribbon Hero," based on Osamu Tezuka's "Princess Knight," was released on June 23, 2026. The trailer reveals three new cast members: Seiran Kobayashi as Pine, a friend of protagonist Sapphire; Kouki Uchiyama as Velvet, an executive of the religious organization Mitra; and Mayumi Shintani as Zircon, Sapphire's elderly attendant. The theme song "Reborn" is performed by the pre-debut Japan-Korea girl group Girls Archives. The trailer opens with a scene of a country destroyed by the calamity Nergal and includes action sequences, a sword fight, and a transformation scene. Sapphire is voiced by Saya of the comedy duo Lalande. The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, with original character designs by Kei Mochizuki and character design cooperation by Mai Yoneyama. Production is by Twin Engine, with animation by Studio OUTLINE. "The Ribbon Hero" will premiere globally on Netflix on August 8, 2026. The film has also been selected for an official screening at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
May 26
Netflix has announced an August 8 worldwide streaming date for the anime film THE RIBBON HERO, based on Osamu Tezuka's classic manga Princess Knight. The lead role of Sapphire will be voiced by Saya, a comedian from the duo Lalande, in her first feature-length voice acting role. The announcement came alongside the release of a teaser trailer and a key visual. The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, known for his work on Star Wars: Visions and Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 ending animation, in his feature directorial debut. Animation production is handled by studio OUTLINE, with production by Twin Engine. The story follows Princess Sapphire, who loses her homeland Silverland to a calamity called Nergal and later gains the power to transform into the Ribbon Knight to protect her new home, Goldland. Saya said in a statement that the director told her Sapphire's background overlapped with her own, which helped her decide to take the role. She acknowledged that she expects criticism for being a non-professional voice actor but said she focused on conveying Sapphire's inner voice. The film also features script cooperation by Junko Komura, known for writing several Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series.
May 23
A new anime adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic shoujo manga 'Ribbon no Kishi' has been announced. Titled 'THE RIBBON HERO', the series will stream exclusively on Netflix starting in August. A teaser visual by character designer Kei Mochizuki has been released, but no footage or story details have been shown yet.