The official trailer for the original animated feature film " Paris ni Saku Etoile, " directed by Goro Taniguchi , known for the " Code Geass " anime series and "One Piece Film Red," was released on YouTube on December 17th. The film is set in early 20th-century Paris and depicts two Japanese girls who, despite difficult times, never give up and strive to reach for the stars (Etoile). The trailer includes childhood scenes of Fujiko, a girl who dreams of becoming a painter, and Chizuru, a master of naginata who secretly aspires to become a ballet artist, as well as their chance reunion in Paris and their struggles to achieve their dreams. It was also announced that the band " Ryokuoushoku Shakai" will perform the theme song, "Ride the Wind," and the song was unveiled in the trailer.
Additional cast members announced include actors Mugi Kadowaki and Matsuya Onoe, Akihiro Kakuta of the comedy trio "Tokyo 03," and Kenjiro Tsuda. This will be Kadowaki's first time as an anime voice actor, and she will play Olga, the woman who gives Chizuru strict ballet lessons. Onoe will play Tadashi Wakabayashi, Fujiko's uncle who inspires her to head to Paris, Tsunoda will play Enzo, a cheerful French man who is Wakabayashi's drinking buddy and bad boy, and Tsuda will play Yajima Shoichi, a friend of Fujiko's brother who watches over Fujiko as she lives in Paris. This will be Tsunoda's first time as a voice actor in an anime feature film.
It was also announced that voice actors will include Sakakibara Yoshiko, Akio Otsuka, Kaida Yuko, Fujima Hide, Kensho Ono, Ono Kensho, Ayumu Murase, Karasawa Jun, Murase Ayumu, Yumi Uchiyama, Nagase Anna, Kurosawa Tomoyo, Yano Hinaki, and Nabatame Hitomi.
The official visual has also been released, depicting Fujiko and Chizuru walking through the streets of Paris, a city they have always dreamed of, with dreamy expressions on their faces.
Kadowaki said, "I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity to voice an anime character, which has always been my dream job, and as I have been doing classical ballet for 13 years myself, when I heard that the story was about ballet I felt it was fate and was really happy. Olga, the character I play, is a strict person who strictly instructs Chizuru in ballet. It felt very refreshing to see a girl from an era when she had not yet been exposed to anything from overseas try her hand at ballet. I felt like I was following in the footsteps of the pioneers of that era. I hope many people will see it."
Onoe commented, "The character I played, Tadashi, is Fujiko's mother's younger brother (uncle). He is a cheerful dreamer and the person who gives Fujiko inspiration. Through the two girls, this story will make you feel the importance of having the courage to take a step forward, as well as the joy and depth of life, and I believe it will be an irreplaceable work for everyone. I hope you will come and see it in the cinema."
Kakuta said, "I played the role of Enzo, a rough and tumble loser. It was my first time dubbing an animated film, but I went into it thinking, 'I'm up for the role of this guy.' This is a heartwarming film that depicts young girls chasing their dreams. Please look forward to the release!"
Tsuda commented, "These two women have great strength as they reach for the stars. It's Paris in the early 20th century. It's heartwarming to see them forging ahead and not giving up on their dreams in these difficult times. You can't help but root for these women as they face success and failure head-on, support each other, and forge their own path forward. I hope you'll see it at the theater."
Haruko Nagaya of Ryokuoushoku Shakai said, "Although the historical backgrounds are different, there are many elements of music, art and the arts, and there are members in the band who have experience in ballet, so we have a lot in common, so I was really happy to be asked to do this. Despite the many constraints that exist, I hope this song will inspire people to take new action. It was with this thought in mind that I wrote the song 'Riding the Wind.' Naturally, the types of worries change with different times. But fundamentally, perhaps everyone has the same worries in any era. I would be happy if people listen to the song and relate it to their own worries and lives."
Anami Shingo of Ryokuoushoku Shakai said, "As someone who has been inspired by director Goro Taniguchi 's works, including ' Code Geass Ryokuoushoku Shakai : Lelouch of the Rebellion,' I was thrilled when I heard about the role. Coincidentally, I have been exposed to classical ballet since I was a child at the ballet school run by my mother, so I feel a kind of precious connection. I sincerely hope that the song 'Ride the Wind' will serve as a bridge connecting the modern day we live in today with the Paris of the early 20th century where Fujiko and her friends lived."
The film will feature character designs by Kondo Katsuya, who has worked on character design and key animating for Studio Ghibli films such as "Kiki 'Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," teaming up with director Taniguchi for the first time. Reiko Yoshida is writing the script, and the film will be produced by Arbo Animation. Fujiko, who dreams of becoming a painter, and Chizuru, who is passionate about ballet, meet by chance in Yokohama, and as if drawn by fate, they reunite in Paris. The story follows the struggles of the two as they pursue their dreams. Actress Ami Touma will voice the protagonist Fujiko, Arashi Rina will voice Chizuru, and Saotome Taichi will voice Ruslan, a young Russian man who lives in the same apartment as Fujiko. The film is slated for release on March 13, 2026.
