Director Goro Taniguchi and character designer Katsuya Kondo are collaborating on the original theatrical anime Samurai Ballerina – L’étoile de Paris en fleur. A new background art from the film has recently been released. The movie is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on March 13, 2026.
Taniguchi explained that while he conducted extensive research, certain details about France from that era were difficult to verify due to the lack of surviving materials. However, he emphasized that the film’s core objective is to make modern audiences feel the realism and plausibility of Paris as it was a century ago. Rather than reproducing historical research exactly as it is, the film portrays Paris through an emotional lens.
“As an example,” Taniguchi said, “if you were to depict Paris strictly as it was at the time, it wouldn’t necessarily appear as a beautiful city. Instead, we express Paris filtered through the characters’ emotions.”
Main Visual:
STAFF:
Director: Goro Taniguchi
Script: Reiko Yoshida
Original Character Design: Katsuya Kondo
Character Design: Yu Yamashita
Research: Seiichi Shirato
Art Director: Yuji Kaneko
Mechanical Design: Fumihiro Katagai
Music: Takayuki Hattori
Animation Production: ARVO ANIMATION
SYNOPSIS:
Samurai Ballerina -L’étoile de Paris en fleur- is set in the early 1900s and follows the journey of two Japanese girls chasing their dreams against all odds. Fujiko aspires to become a painter, while Chizuru is drawn to the world of ballet. After a chance meeting in Yokohama, fate reunites them in Paris, where they support one another in pursuit of their ambitions beneath the city’s starlit skies.
Source: Comic Natalie
————
AnimeTV チェーン bringing you the latest anime news direct from Japan ~ anytime! — Your new source of information!
