Netflix releases in August The Ribbon Hero, an animated feature film inspired by Osamu Tezuka's manga Princess Knight. Directed by Yuki Igarashi (Jujutsu Kaisen, Star Wars: Visions), it follows a solitary hero who defies an adverse fate. The film is a tribute to Tezuka and the Takarazuka Revue, with a dream creative team including Kei Mochizuki (Fate/Grand Order) and Mai Yoneyama (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners). Production is handled by Outline and Twin Engine.
Animation with pedigree: the technical team behind the film 🎬
Igarashi brings together a group of talents with experience in major productions. Kei Mochizuki, known for his work on Fate/Grand Order, leads character design, while Mai Yoneyama, a key figure in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, handles visual concepts. Kazunari Arakaki serves as animation designer. The studio Outline, founded by Igarashi himself, manages production alongside Twin Engine, ensuring a solid technical foundation for this animated adaptation that seeks to capture the essence of the original manga.
A solitary hero, but with a tireless team of animators 😅
Because of course, a hero who defies fate sounds very epic, but in real life, the one challenging the deadlines is the animation team. While the protagonist fights against his destiny, surely at Outline they are praying that the climax scene doesn't have to be redrawn three times. That said, with the names behind it, at least the hero will fall in style without a single hair out of place.