The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has officially revealed its feature anime lineup for this year's edition, scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 4 across Tokyo's Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi, and Ginza districts. Highlighting both upcoming original theatrical projects and celebrated modern features, the festival's Animation Section and curated focus blocks offer a comprehensive view of current anime production trends.
Animation Section Highlights
The festival's primary Animation Section showcases several prominent upcoming theatrical works, offering attendees an early look at high-profile original productions:
- Cherry and Virgin: Directed by Masanao Kawajiri, this original animated romance feature is slated for a wider theatrical premiere in 2027.
- ghost – end of night (ghost/yoru no hate): An original theatrical project from director Shingo Natsume and studio Madhouse, set to open in Japanese theaters on February 11, 2027.
- Grotesqqque: An original omnibus feature directed by Atsushi Nishigori at studio CloverWorks, scheduled to open on November 6.
- We Are Aliens (Ware Ware wa Uchūjin): Directed by Kōhei Kadowaki in partnership with creative film label NOTHING NEW, making its debut on September 25.
Focus on Female Visionaries
Complementing the new feature lineup, the festival's "Women Directors: Diverse Visions" section highlights major anime films helmed by female filmmakers:
- Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire: The 23rd theatrical installment in the franchise, directed by Chika Nagaoka, which grossed over 9.37 billion yen during its box office run.
- Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom (Kin no Kuni Mizu no Kuni): The anime film adaptation of Nao Iwamoto's fantasy manga, directed by Kotomi Deai.
- The Rose of Versailles: The recent feature adaptation based on Riyoko Ikeda's classic manga, directed by Ai Yoshimura.
Alongside public screenings, the affiliated TIFFCOM 2026 market will host industry panels featuring representatives from Nippon Animation, Production I.G, and TV TOKYO to discuss international co-productions and overseas distribution strategies.
