It has been announced that the latest movie version of the popular animation "Thomas & Friends" "Thomas the Thomas & Friends Engine Movie: Find Santa! Percy's Christmas Express" will be released on December 12th. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the publication of the original picture book, and it will be the first "Christmas movie" in the movie version series.
In the latest film, Thomas' best friend Percy plays an active role. On Christmas Eve, while everyone is busy preparing, Percy notices a letter left behind after delivering Christmas cards. It is a letter to Santa from a child who wishes for a present. "If we don't deliver the letter by today, the child's wish won't come true...!" Percy panics and asks Thomas and friends for help, and they all start a big operation to find Santa... This is the story.
The key visual was released, depicting Thomas decorated with Christmas lights and Percy and others with a mail car loaded with presents and letters. A teaser trailer was also released, depicting scenes of the body decorated with wreaths and electric lights, Thomas and Percy in the form of gingerbread cookies rejoicing at the arrival of Christmas, and Thomas and his friends gathering together to help Percy who is in a hurry to find Santa. A wild machine that scatters snowballs was also featured.
"Thomas & Friends" is based on the picture book "The Railway Series" which was created in the UK in 1945. It depicts the adventures of the blue engine Thomas and his friends on the fictional island of Sodor. A puppet show started in the UK in 1984. It began broadcasting in Japan in 1990, and was made into 3DCG in 2010.
It was renewed for the first time in about 12 years in 2022, changing from 3DCG to a 2D look, and the voice actors were also renewed. In addition to Minami Tanaka playing Thomas, Kanade Koshino, Rumi Okubo, and Erina Koga will also appear.
