Crunchyroll has officially acquired the North American theatrical rights to the fantasy mystery anime film Whoever Steals This Book. The film will make its international premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, taking place from February 28 to March 15, 2026.
Details regarding additional theatrical screenings will be revealed at a later date. The movie will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
Official Trailer:
Main Visual:
STAFF:
Director: Daiki Fukuoka
Scriptwriter: Yasuhiro Nakanishi
Character designer and animation director: Keiko Kurosawa
Music composer: Michiru Oshima
Animation producer: Yuji Higa
Animation production: Kagokan
Yen Press publishes the official English edition of the light novel written by Nowaki Fukamidori, along with the manga adaptation illustrated by Kekeru Sora.
Crunchyroll describes the film as follows:
“I wish I’d never read a book…!”
Mifuyu Mikura is a high school student living in Yomunaga, a town steeped in stories and surrounded by books. Her great-grandfather founded Mikura Hall, a renowned library that her family has managed for generations. But despite being raised in a book-loving town, Mifuyu has always hated books.
One day, a mysterious theft at Mikura Hall unleashes a powerful curse — the books’ curse — dragging the entire town into the worlds of the stolen stories. To undo the curse, Mifuyu must dive into the very tales she’s always avoided.
Teaming up with a strange girl named Mashiro, she sets out to reclaim the stolen books and uncover the truth behind the curse.
Who is the thief?
And what hidden secrets lie within the Mikura family — and Mifuyu herself?
A story-jumping fantasy adventure begins, filled with mystery, magic, and the power of words.
When the final curse is broken, the truth that was taken will be revealed.
Source: Press Release
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