KLab has announced it will produce an AI anime film adaptation of Sakurai Miho’s bestselling novel, The CELEBRITY SECRET (original Japanese title: Serebu no Kaban wa Naze Chiisai no ka: Okane to Shiawase no Himitsu Ruru). A teaser trailer for the project was recently showcased at the AI Film Awards held in Cannes, France, where it received high praise. The film is scheduled for release in 2027.
「セレブのカバンはなぜ小さいのか お金と幸せの秘密ルール」著・桜井美帆／KADOKAWA刊
The novel, published by KADOKAWA, is a success story about a temp worker named Jun who is trapped in a “poverty and unhappiness mindset.” She meets a global figure named Medicina and learns the thinking and lifestyle of celebrities, eventually achieving her own dreams. Themes of female independence and well-being run through the story, with readers praising how the protagonist’s life completely turns around through the secret rule of “The Celebrity Secret.”
KLab’s adaptation aims to honor the original work’s worldview and message while exploring new visual expression through AI technology. The project is being developed in collaboration with the KLab AI GUILD, a registration system for AI creators announced by KLab in May 2026. The guild provides production assignments to registered creators based on their specialties and interests. Through this collaboration, KLab aims to build a new anime production model that blends traditional methods with AI technology.
The teaser video was submitted to the AI Film Awards in Cannes in May 2026, where the fusion of Japanese animation culture and AI creative work was highly evaluated at the international competition. As the film moves toward its 2027 release, details on the final product are eagerly anticipated.
Author Sakurai Miho Comments
“Once, I was ruled by fear and anxiety, plagued by excessive worry. This caused hives, stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and even vomiting, disrupting my daily life. My anxious mind made my bag bigger. I always packed ‘just in case.’ While I praised myself for being prepared, I felt something was wrong. That mindset led to failure and weakness in crucial moments; life began to spiral downward. I wondered, ‘I’m trying so hard – why isn’t it working?’ and ‘Why are celebrities’ bags so small?’ The answer was a way of life called ‘complete trust’ – trusting not only yourself but also the people around you, the universe, luck, and everything that happens in life. After realizing this, I gradually reduced the items in my bag along with my worries. That way of life transformed my very sense of self-worth and changed my life 180 degrees. Dreams began to come true one after another. The desire I had as a high school movie club president – ‘I must make a film or I’ll die’ – became an important mission. Now, with the help of many people, that dream has become reality. I, who was neither a celebrity nor anyone special, have walked the red carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival and received applause. This is not a unique story just for me. You too have the power to make your dreams come true. Please take time to celebrate and cherish yourself, and become our companion. Through this film, I hope to deliver Japanese animation culture, the spirit of the Japanese people, and beautiful ideas to the world – for the support of women around the world, and for the children of the future. I would be very happy if you could support this work.”
Production Details
| Title | The CELEBRITY SECRET |
|---|---|
| Original Work | Sakurai Miho, Serebu no Kaban wa Naze Chiisai no ka: Okane to Shiawase no Himitsu Ruru |
| Format | Anime Film |
| Production | KLab Inc. |
| Production Committee | The Celebrity Secret Production Committee |
| Release | Scheduled for 2027 |
