When Is the We Are Aliens Anime Film Release Date and What Is the Story About?

In a major development for global cinema enthusiasts, distribution powerhouse TOHO Next alongside independent media studio Nothing New officially announced that the critically acclaimed original anime feature film We Are Aliens (Wareware wa Uchuujin) will premiere in Japanese theaters on September 25, 2026. This highly anticipated drama, which recently celebrated its prestigious world premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in the Directors Fortnight lineup, is a co-production between the Japanese studio Nothing New and France’s award-winning Miyu Productions. Blending near-photorealistic backdrops with expressive rotoscoping animation techniques, the 117-minute cinematic feature marks a bold step forward for contemporary independent anime.

Fast Facts: Core Project Information

• Movie Title: We Are Aliens (Wareware wa Uchuujin)
• Director, Writer, and Editor: Kōhei Kadowaki
• Animation Production Houses: Nothing New and Miyu Productions
• Music Composer: Yaffle
• Primary Genre: Coming-of-Age Psychological Drama
• Theatrical Release Date: September 25, 2026
• Official Studio Social Media: @NOTHINGNEWFILM on X

What Is the Plot of We Are Aliens?

Set against the nostalgic, rural backdrop of small-town Japan during the Heisei era, the narrative of We Are Aliens explores the sheer fragility of boyhood and the lifelong weight of a childhood mistake. The story chronicles the lives of two polar opposite schoolboys: Tsubasa, a withdrawn kid who constantly struggles with his desire to feel ordinary, and Gyotaro Hoshi, an energetic, assured child viewed by his peers as a special existence.

The two form an intense, inseparable bond in the third year of elementary school. However, childhood innocence begins to warp as rumors spread, jealousy festers, and subtle psychological distortions creep into their daily routines. Following a major, unforeseen event involving a quiet betrayal from Tsubasa, their relationship fractures irreversibly.

The story utilizes a unique, fragmented dual-perspective structure split into two distinct chapters. The first half details the escalating playground tensions and misunderstandings from childhood through their ninth year of school, where themes of school bullying and isolation surface. The second half jumps forward roughly thirty years into adulthood, following a lonely Tokyo taxi driver as repressed childhood memories violently boil over, forcing the characters to finally confront the trauma they spent their entire adult lives trying to forget.

Who Is the Creative Team Behind the Film?

The distinct visual and narrative architecture of We Are Aliens is steered by a powerhouse collection of established anime industry veterans and breakthrough indie talent:

• Kōhei Kadowaki (Director, Writer, and Editor): A graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Kadowaki is widely celebrated for directing the striking, high-concept ending sequence for the second season of BEASTARS. He has also earned massive critical acclaim for directing hit animated music videos, including YOASOBI’s viral hit “Comet.”
• Miyu Productions and Nothing New (Animation & Planning): France’s Miyu Productions, known for boundary-pushing artistic collaborations like Ghost Cat Anzu and A New Dawn, handled production cooperation. They utilized complex 3D CGI references and extensive live-action reference footage to make the characters seamlessly blend with the atmospheric backgrounds.
• Yaffle (Music Composer): The acclaimed Japanese musical artist handles the film’s haunting, evocative score, amplifying the psychological tension of the script.
• The Voice Cast: Rising star Ryota Bando steps into the booth to voice the anxious, introspective Tsubasa, while acclaimed actor Amane Okayama voices the misunderstood, boisterous Gyotaro.

When Will International Audiences Be Able to Watch It?

Following its successful festival screenings at both Cannes and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in mid-2026, the movie is primed for a robust theatrical rollout. While TOHO Next retains distribution rights for the primary Japanese launch on September 25, 2026, international sales are being managed by Charades.

According to the official crowdfunding data from the movie’s successful 9.6 million yen campaign on Motion Gallery, global theatrical distributions and streaming availability outside of Japan are currently tracking for a staggered rollout across North America and Europe starting in early 2027.