It was revealed on May 26th that Saya, a member of the comedy duo "Lalande," will be voicing the main character, Sapphire, in "THE RIBBON HERO," an anime based on Osamu Tezuka's masterpiece "Princess Knight Knight." This marks Saya's first time voicing a character in a feature-length anime. It was also announced that the film will be exclusively streamed worldwide on Netflix starting August 8th.
Saya commented, "Up until now, I've confidently and eagerly taken on any kind of work, but when I was offered the role of the main character's voice, I almost hesitated for a moment. That's because I have a lot of respect for the way the world of anime is created; it's unique, meticulous, and exceptional. I think the original ' Princess Knight' was the first shojo manga to feature a 'fighting woman' as the protagonist. When the director told me that there were parts of Sapphire's upbringing and background that overlapped with mine, I made up my mind. I felt that Sapphire also shares my motto of fighting back with humor as a reaction to adversity. I'm sure there will be some harsh criticism for taking on such a big role when it's not my main profession. However, I focused on expressing Sapphire's inner voice to the fullest extent. I've never had a job that I struggled with and enjoyed so much since turning 30. I would be very happy if you would watch it!"
The main visual, depicting Sapphire in both her transformed and pre-transformation forms, has been released. The visual also features three new characters and is accompanied by the tagline, "These feelings will become a sword."
The first trailer has also been released on YouTube, showcasing Sapphire's transformation scene. The video begins with gruesome images of the kingdom and soldiers, and Sapphire's heartbreaking cry as she is covered in wounds, before depicting Sapphire, wrapped in ribbons, gaining the power to transform. Having found meaning in her survival, she declares her resolve, saying, "For the sake of everyone in need." Meanwhile, a figure with a sinister smile is also shown. The video concludes with Sapphire landing on Earth and saying, "The Princess Knight has arrived."
"THE RIBBON HERO" is the story of a hero who ties a ribbon and decides to defy fate. Princess Sapphire of a lost kingdom has everything taken from her homeland, Silverland, by the calamity "Nergal." In despair, she arrives in Goldland, where she experiences the kindness of the people and lives a peaceful life, but then the calamity "Nergal" reappears. Sapphire shakes off her tears of sorrow and takes up her sword. This marks the first time "Princess Knight " has been animated in approximately 27 years, since the original short anime " Princess Knight - Original Anime -" which was screened at Osamu Tezuka World (closed in January 2011) in December 1999.
This will be the first feature-length directorial work by Yuki Igarashi, who worked on the ending sequence for the first season of " Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Star Wars: Visions 'Nora Usa Lop and Hizaura Ochou'." Kei Mochizuki, who has designed popular characters for "Fate/Grand Order" and "Touken Ranbu ONLINE," will be in charge of the original character designs, and Mai Yoneyama, who directed the ending sequences for "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" and "LAZARUS," will participate as a character design collaborator. Kazunari Aragaki will be in charge of animation character design, and Cedric Errol will be the art director. OUTLINE, led by director Igarashi, will be producing the animation.
"Princess Knight" was serialized in several magazines from 1953 to 1967. It follows Sapphire, a beautiful woman disguised as a man, as the brave "Princess Knight" who fights against evil plaguing the kingdom. A television anime adaptation aired from April 1967 to April 1968. An original short anime, "Princess Knight - Original Anime -," was screened in December 1999.
