The third trailer and additional cast for the Netflix film THE RIBBON HERO リボンヒーロー, which begins streaming on August 8 (Saturday), have been released.
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga Ribon no Kishi (Princess Knight), the project generated huge buzz when its teaser visual debuted, ranking first on Yahoo! Trends and third on X (formerly Twitter) domestic trends. The film was also selected for the Annecy Présents official screening at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026, where the director participated in a panel discussion, raising expectations both in Japan and abroad.
Director Igarashi Yuki is known as one of the industry’s most versatile animators. He gained attention for single-handedly handling the key animation for the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 ending sequence, and his directorial debut Star Wars: Visions – The Village Bride earned high praise for its careful storytelling and powerful action. THE RIBBON HERO marks his first feature-length directorial work.
Character original designs are by Mochizuki Kei, known for popular character designs in games such as Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu ONLINE. Character original design cooperation comes from Yoneyama Mai, who served as ending director for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and LAZARUS. Animation character design is by Arakaki Kazunari, and art direction by Cedric Herole.
Animation production is handled by OUTLINE, led by director Igarashi. The studio is known for creating appealing characters and overwhelming drawing ability with a theatrical flair. This team of talented creators depicts the story of a hero who decides to resist a harsh fate, with a delicate worldview and refined action.
The newly released third trailer shows the protagonist Sapphire, driven from her homeland, deepening bonds with new friends she meets in a new land, and bravely confronting the calamity Nergal as the Ribbon Hero.
After repeated invasions by Nergal, people have given up resisting. But Sapphire refuses to give up, crying out, “No…! I won’t let it end like this!” and dons a veil to transform. With determination in her heart, she fights boldly. In response, her companions’ hearts begin to change positively. Meanwhile, the mysterious being Velvet, whose motives remain unclear, utters unsettling lines that bring tension to the story.
When Sapphire shows weakness, it is the words of her friends who believe in her that push her forward. The trailer promises character growth and exhilarating action sequences.
Alongside the trailer, five companions who work with Sapphire at the mining site and their voice actors were announced. The leader of Sapphire’s team, Rock, is voiced by Hosoya Yoshimasa. The other team members are Hekate voiced by Tsukino Mito, Chorogi voiced by Tezuka Yusuke, Chick voiced by Runrun, and Tack voiced by Debidebi Debiru.
Tsukino Mito, Runrun, and Debidebi Debiru are VTubers belonging to the virtual liver group Nijisanji, operated by ANYCOLOR Inc. All three are voicing roles in a feature-length anime for the first time.
Tsukino Mito commented, “I’m truly happy to have been given the opportunity to face, through my voice, a character who particularly stood out to me when I read the original Ribon no Kishi.” Runrun said, “I was nervous because it was my first voice acting role, but the pop exchanges relaxed my heart and made recording very fun!” Debidebi Debiru added, “At first I wondered how it would go, but I got into the story with my twin and enjoyed recording.”
As Sapphire and her companions connect and work together, can they save Goldland from the natural law that “the weak become sacrifices to great power”? And what is the truth surrounding Nergal and Sapphire? Be sure to see the story’s conclusion.
Rock: Hosoya Yoshimasa
Hosoya Yoshimasa, voicing Rock, said: “Rock has a stylish, androgynous hairstyle, but inside he’s like an old-fashioned master carpenter. Even when placed at a huge disadvantage, he boldly stands up for his friends. He’s a character that embodies hero images from the Showa and Heisei eras, and recording gave me a sense of nostalgia. Please enjoy THE RIBBON HERO.”
Hekate: Tsukino Mito
Tsukino Mito, voicing Hekate, said: “I am Tsukino Mito, who played Hekate. Being involved in such an important project based on Ribon no Kishi, a work that is so great and beloved, I felt considerable weight but approached it sincerely. Hekate is an emotional, honest, and very strong woman. I’m truly happy to have been given the opportunity to face, through my voice, a character who particularly stood out to me when I read the original. I hope many people will enjoy it.”
Chorogi: Tezuka Yusuke
Tezuka Yusuke, voicing Chorogi, said: “I played Chorogi. He’s clumsy, a bit of a blunderer, and timid, but also has a straightforward and cheerful side. The highlights are the beautiful designs, the heart-touching lines, and the warm relationships that gently color the story, drawing you in naturally.”
Chick: Runrun
Runrun, voicing Chick, said: “I am Runrun, who played Chick! I was very honored to play twins with my beloved senpai Debi. I was nervous because it was my first voice acting role, but the pop exchanges relaxed my heart and made recording very fun! I hope you’ll enjoy seeing Chick and Tack working in sync and their small bodies trying their best. This is a fantasy work that somehow lets you project your own dreams and feelings onto it. Please enjoy!”
Tack: Debidebi Debiru
Debidebi Debiru, voicing Tack, said: “I am the fearsome demon Debidebi Debiru, who played Tack. I played twins with a white creature. It was my first time as an anime voice actor, and I was very surprised when I got the offer. At first I wondered how it would go, but I got into the story with my twin, thinking about what Tack might be feeling here, whether Chick is okay, and many other things. I enjoyed recording. Please enjoy Chick and Tack’s efforts, and the ending of this story!”
Cast & Staff
Cast:
Sapphire: Sāya (Lalande)
Pine: Kobayashi Seiran / Velvet: Uchiyama Kōki / Zirco: Shintani Mayumi / Pope: Jō Haruhiko
Rock: Hosoya Yoshimasa / Hekate: Tsukino Mito / Chorogi: Tezuka Yusuke / Chick: Runrun / Tack: Debidebi Debiru
Staff:
Director: Igarashi Yuki / Original Concept: Based on Osamu Tezuka’s Ribon no Kishi / Script Cooperation: Kōmura Junko
Character Original Design: Mochizuki Kei / Character Original Design Cooperation: Yoneyama Mai
Animation Character Design: Arakaki Kazunari / Art Director: Cedric Herole
Nergal Design: okama / Art Director: Nomura Masanobu / Color Design: Watanabe Natsumi
CG Director: Nagamine Akane / Director of Photography: Fukuda Hikaru / Editor: Uematsu Jun’ichi
Music: Kōsaki Satoru (MONACA), Takada Ryūichi (MONACA) / Sound Director: Miyoshi Keiichiro / Sound Production: Tohokushinsha
Production: Twin Engine / Animation Production: OUTLINE
Theme Song:
“Reborn” by Girls Archives.
