Katsuya Kondou, who worked on a number of Studio Ghibli movies, is designing the characters.
Production company Sochiku opened a website today for an original anime movie titled “Paris ni Saku Etoile” (L’etoile de Paris en fleur; Etoile Blooms in Paris). The film marks the first collaboration between acclaimed director Goro Taniguchi and character designer Katsuya Kondo.
The original anime movie has revealed its main staff, main cast, and a teaser visual. It is set to premiere on 13 March, 2026.
“Paris ni Saku Etoile” cast, staff, and other details
Japanese actress Ami Touma is taking on the role of protagonist Fujiko. She also released a comment regarding her role in the official website, and states:
Playing Fujiko, a girl who is the complete opposite of my usual self, I was reminded of the challenges of character development and the differences in acting involved with voice acting, but I enjoyed the role.
The image of a woman in the early 20th century, going against the voices of those around her and the flow of society, heading alone to a foreign land to pursue her dreams, gave me courage as a modern-day person, and encouraged me to continue being free. I believe that viewers will be able to relate to that experience as well.
Other cast members are yet to be revealed.
Goro Taniguchi, who is best known for directing “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” and “One Piece Film: RED” is helming the original film as director at studio Arvo Animation. He is also credited as the creator of the original work.
Commenting on the movie, he revealed that the film has been in the works since the Covid-19 pandemic:
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been steadily working on this film as an independent production, and now we are finally able to deliver it to everyone. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kondo-san and the other staff and cast members. I hope you enjoy it.
Katsuya Kondo, who worked on Studio Ghibli movies like “Ponyo” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, is credited for the character designs. He comments:
Seven years ago in May, someone came to visit me at my home in Nagano. It was Kalki Rajeev, producer at Arvo Animation. Naturally, it was our first meeting. He asked me if I would create a character for a movie he was currently planning. I immediately, and politely, declined. However, he refused, saying, "At least do some conceptual drawings..." I was touched by his enthusiasm and decided to accept. But it was a long journey from there. I ended up not only contributing conceptual drawings, but also the original drawings.
Seven years have passed since then, and our movie is scheduled to be released in March of next year. Rajeev! To all the staff! I wish you all the best.
The rest of the staff include:
- Screenplay: Reiko Yoshida
- Research: Seiichi Shirato
- Prop Design: Tomomi Ozaki
- Mechanical Design: Fumihiro Katagai
- Color Design: Akiko Shibata
- Director of Photography: Tsunetaka Ema
- Character Direction: Yuriko Chiba
- 3DCG Director: Hisayasu Kamiya
- Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose
- Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
- Music: Takayuki Hattori
- Distribution: Shochiku
The website describes the story of the movie as:
1912 -A story of a girl chasing her dreams in glittering Paris.
Fujiko dreams of becoming a painter, while Chizuru is fascinated by ballet. The two meet by chance in Yokohama, and as if drawn by fate, they are reunited in Paris. The sight of the two struggling to pursue their dreams in early 20th century Paris awakens the "hope for tomorrow" in everyone's hearts.
