Prepare for a nostalgic hit if you thought the industry had no more classic works to dust off. The legendary story of Princess Knight (known in Japan as Ribbon no Kishi), the masterpiece by legendary Osamu Tezuka that set the foundations for modern shoujo genre, will return to our screens after 27 long years of absence. The official website has just released the first trailer for The Ribbon Hero, a brand new anime film that will have an exclusive worldwide premiere through the Netflix catalog on August 8.

For voicing one of the most iconic protagonists in manga history, the production committee made an unusual but interesting decision. Instead of choosing a veteran voice actress, they decided to hand the lead role to a Japanese entertainment star making her big debut in a feature-length animated film:

• Saya as Sapphire. Renowned comedian of the LALANDE duo and talented vocalist of the band Raisan, who will bring all her energy to this legendary lead role.

To ensure this anime film feels fresh while respecting Tezuka’s huge legacy, the project is in the hands of director Yuuki Igarashi under the animation of studio Outline. Character designs were adapted by Issei Arakaki (based on original artwork by Kei Mochizuki), ensuring the fantasy world looks spectacular for new audiences.

But where they truly didn’t hold back was in the musical department. The soundtrack promises to give us chills, as it will be handled by Satoru Kousaki and Ryuuichi Takada, members of the acclaimed group MONACA and responsible for the masterful music in recent gems like Kusuriya no Hitorigoto and Summertime Render. With Netflix distributing the film globally on its release date, otaku communities worldwide can enjoy this work without annoying regional barriers.

Synopsis of The Ribbon Hero (Princess Knight)

The story transports us to a fantasy kingdom where the law dictates that only a man can inherit the throne. To prevent power from falling into the wrong hands of an evil duke, the kings decide to hide a huge secret: their eldest daughter, Sapphire, has been raised from birth as if she were a male prince. Possessing both the brave heart of a boy and the gentle soul of a girl, young Sapphire must navigate a dangerous double life, dealing with royal intrigues, exciting adventures with a sword, and her own personal conflicts. It’s a journey of courage and discovery in a world full of magic and ruthless villains.

Will you give this reinvention of an absolute classic a chance, or are you one of the purists who prefer to stick with the sixties anime?