Cosmic Princess Kaguya!: Studio Colorido’s Streamer Battle Film Captivates Audiences

Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, a visually stunning and musically rich animated film from Studio Colorido and Studio Chromato, has quickly become a standout success in both Japanese theaters and on Netflix. Released worldwide on January 22, 2026, the film reimagines the classic Japanese folktale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, with a modern, yuri-themed twist centered around the world of virtual streaming.

A Modern Retelling of a Timeless Tale

The film follows Iroha Sakayori, a high school student whose life is dramatically altered when she discovers a mysterious baby who rapidly matures into Kaguya, a girl from the Moon. Iroha takes on the role of Kaguya’s producer, guiding her as she navigates the competitive world of Tsukuyomi, a virtual streaming platform, aiming for popularity and success.

Production and Key Players

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! marks the feature directorial debut of Shingo Yamashita, who co-wrote the screenplay with Saeri Natsuo. The film features the voice talents of Yūko Natsuyoshi as Kaguya, Anna Nagase as Iroha Sakayori, and Saori Hayami as Yachiyo Runami. Additional cast members include Miyu Irino, Yuma Uchida, Yoshino Aoyama, and Konomi Kohara in supporting roles. Studio Colorido and Studio Chromato collaborated on the animation, with character designs by Akihiro Nagae and Hechima.

Musical Collaboration with Vocaloid Producers

The film’s soundtrack is a unique blend of original scores by Conisch and songs created by prominent Vocaloid producers, including ryo of Supercell, Yuigot, Aqu3ra, HoneyWorks, 40mP, and Kz of Livetune. The theme song, “Ex-Otogibanashi,” is performed by Saori Hayami, who voices Yachiyo Tsukimi. A lyric video for the song has been released on the film’s official YouTube channel.

Box Office Success and Extended Run

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! enjoyed a limited theatrical release at Laemmle Glendale in California, alongside its global debut on Netflix in January 2026. A wider theatrical release in Japan began on February 20, 2026, attracting 148,067 viewers during its opening weekend and grossing over ¥291.2 million in its first four days. Due to its popularity, the theatrical run in Japan has been extended, with a post-credits music video for the ending theme “ray (Chokaguyahime! version)” being added to screenings starting February 27.

Critical Reception and Genre

The film has been categorized as an animated musical yuri fantasy. Cosmic Princess Kaguya! was announced by Netflix in November 2025, with development beginning in 2022 and the final product delivered in September 2025.