“Macross” Kawamori Shooji’s First Original Theatrical Feature Film! “Smartphone”-themed Otherworldly Escape Drama “Meikyuu no Shiori” Opens January 2026
Known for series like the Macross series and the Aquarion series, anime director Kawamori Shooji’s first original theatrical feature film, Meikyuu no Shiori, is set to be released in January 2026. The film is described as an otherworldly youth escape entertainment colored by song and visuals, potentially reflecting what could happen in our SNS society. Alongside the announcement, a teaser video and a teaser visual have been unveiled, and Director Kawamori Shooji has provided a comment.
Category: News
Date: 2025.7.2 Wed 18:00
Kawamori Shooji is an anime director who has helmed numerous hit anime known for their unique visuals and worldviews, including the Macross series and the Aquarion series. Recently, he also garnered attention for serving as the Theme Project Producer for the Signature Pavilion “Inochi Meguru Bouken” at the “Osaka-Kansai Expo”.
This time, Meikyuu no Shiori is based on Director Kawamori’s three essential elements that have captivated anime fans in his hit series: “song,” “SF” (science fiction), and a “love triangle.” It incorporates smartphone experiences common to everyone today, creating a pop yet slightly horror-tinged otherworldly escape story. Director Kawamori is taking on a new challenge, elevating it into a youth anthem that resonates with everyone.
The story begins when an ordinary high school girl, Maezawa Shiori, suddenly gets lost in an empty alternate Yokohama after her smartphone screen breaks. When she looks at her phone, she finds photos of herself that she doesn’t remember posting on her SNS account… An otherworldly youth fantasy unfolds, where she attempts to escape the strange smartphone labyrinth to stop the rampage of another self that has suddenly appeared, perhaps something that could truly happen in our SNS society.
For the production, Hashimoto Taichi, who worked on revisions and HUMAN LOST Ningen Shikkaku, is in charge of the script. Furthermore, Ebata Risa, who has teamed up with Director Kawamori on works like Macross F and the theatrical film Macross F ~Itsuwari no Utahime~, is credited as the character designer. A stellar staff lineup, arguably the culmination of Kawamori’s work, has assembled.
The unveiled teaser visual dynamically depicts the protagonist, Shiori, being drawn into her smartphone against the backdrop of the Yokohama city, which serves as the setting. The teaser video starts with scenes of Shiori’s ordinary life, filming dance videos for SNS with friends. As she is suddenly trapped in her phone, numerous crises befall her. The video also shows glimpses of a mysterious girl, a pink rabbit, and a strange character soaring through the missile-filled sky. Just who could they be?
Known for series like the Macross series and the Aquarion series, anime director Kawamori Shooji’s first original theatrical feature film, Meikyuu no Shiori, is scheduled for release in January 2026. We eagerly await further updates.
＜Full Comment Below＞
Director Kawamori Shooji
Meikyuu no Shiori is a story born from the idea of treating the smartphone, which everyone uses extensively today, as “another self” where history and personal information are accumulated.
A broken smartphone screen might be like a broken heart──.
A girl trapped in a smartphone labyrinth, and “another self” that begins to rampage in the real-world Yokohama.
Going back and forth between the “other world of the heart” and the real world, with song × horror, emotions explode, and even stamps fly around, aiming for an emotional and pop entertainment work.
This film is my first completely original story for a theatrical release.
Please do witness the outcome of the confrontation between the two “protagonists”!
『Meikyuu no Shiori』
Nationwide Roadshow in January 2026
| Role | Name / Company |
|---|---|
| Director | Kawamori Shooji |
| Original Work | Slow Curve, Vector Vision, Gaga, Fuji Television |
| Character Design | Ebata Risa |
| Script | Hashimoto Taichi |
| Animation Production | Sanzigen |
| Planning / Produce | Slow Curve |
| Distribution | Gaga |
（C）『迷宮のしおり』製作委員会
《Nakase Koutarou》
