Product Info

Genre

Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Music, Sci-Fi

Rated

PG

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Jan 22, 2026

Film Length

2hr 22min

Purchase From

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is a Netflix exclusive anime film that showcases visually stunning effects and an intriguing duo of characters in a modern fairytale. However, it falters with its pacing and overstays its welcome by running a little too long.

Caretaker to Streamer

The film revolves around a seventeen year-old high school student named Iroha, who lives on her own due to conflicts with her mother. The movie briefly touches on their strained relationship, stemming from her father’s passing. Iroha attends school full-time and works to pay for her apartment. In her free time, she escapes reality by playing video games in a near-futuristic virtual world.

This routine is disrupted when a shooting star crashes near Iroha, leading to the appearance of a human infant inside a utility pole. Surprised, Iroha takes the baby in, only for it to rapidly age into a teenager. The child, named Kaguya by Iroha, is revealed to be a runaway from the Moon, blending Japanese folklore elements from “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” with modern elements like virtual reality and streaming. It adds a creative spin and makes the film intriguing to see how it unfolds.

Kaguya’s carefree nature clashes with Iroha’s, but she convinces Iroha to let her stay until she can return to the Moon. As their relationship develops, Iroha begins to open up, making for an engaging story.

While the film starts in the real world, much of it takes place in the metaverse “Tsukuyomi,” showcasing visually stunning effects. Kaguya and Iroha set out to gain subscribers for Iroha’s virtual idol, with Kaguya pushing Iroha out of her comfort zone.

The film’s pacing falters more in the second half, with a mix of battles, concerts, and real-world events thrown in haphazardly. The ending feels rushed, leaving viewers with much needed more explanation. A more balanced pacing, with fewer scenes and more time for the conclusion, would have improved the overall experience.

Visually Futuristic

The full-length anime movie was directed by Shingo Yamashita, known for his work on animations for opening credits of popular anime series such as Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen. With his hand in those stylish animations, it’s no surprise that the visual style and effects are eye-catching and fun, with a vast range of colors, especially in the digital world.

The film features several high-octane fighting scenes that sometimes look great but feel a bit off due to the use of 3D renders. At times, it feels too choppy and could be smoothed out more. One of the great positives of the film is the character designs, each uniquely drawn to match the character’s personality, especially the avatars in the metaverse. For example, Kaguya’s hairstyle resembles a set of long rabbit ears.

The music is one of the highlights of the film, with energetic visuals that emphasize it with flashy effects. Vocal scores such as “Ex-Otogibanashi” by Saori Hayami and “Watashiha Watashinokotoga Suki” by Yūko Natsuyoshi have a fun, energetic, and delightful rhythm. Additional vocal tracks are spread throughout the film, each accompanied by fun visuals.

The Final Song

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is a visually dazzling anime film that blends Japanese folklore with modern culture, incorporating elements such as virtual reality and streaming culture. The vibrant art style, upbeat music, and character designs all hit the mark. However, the film’s pacing and overlong runtime prevent this modern fairy tale from reaching its full potential.

An early screening provided for this review. Cosmic Princess Kaguya! arrives on Netflix worldwide on January 22, 2026.