A new trailer and key visual for the highly anticipated anime film, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, has revealed a planned theatrical release in Japan on June 27, 2025. The film, produced by Kyoto Animation, will feature the return of many familiar faces, along with some new additions, promising an emotional journey for fans of the beloved series.
The Dragon Maid’s Return to the Big Screen
The film’s release date was announced alongside a heartwarming key visual showing the main characters, Kanna, Kobayashi, and Tohru, holding hands as a family. The visual’s tagline, “I don’t want to let go of this hand,” hints at the film’s themes of family bonds and acceptance. This visual, designed by Miku Kadowaki, uses a warm, pencil-like texture, evoking nostalgia and affection for the series.
The movie continues the story from the second season of the anime, focusing on the dragons as they navigate life with Kobayashi. However, this time, the spotlight is primarily on Kanna, whose peaceful existence is shaken by the unexpected arrival of her biological father. The narrative will explore the complexities of family and the importance of acceptance.
Returning Cast and New Additions
The film boasts a stellar cast, with many familiar voice actors reprising their roles.
- Mutsumi Tamura returns as the voice of the office worker, Kobayashi.
- Yuki Kuwahara will once again voice the dragon maid, Tohru.
- Maria Naganawa reprises her role as the adorable dragon, Kanna.
- Yuki Takada voices the ever-diligent dragon, Elma.
- Minami Takahashi returns as the playful dragon, Lucoa.
- Daisuke Ono voices the reclusive dragon, Fafnir.
- Yuichi Nakamura is back as Makoto Takiya.
- Emiri Kato voices Riko Saikawa.
- Kaori Ishihara will be voicing Shota Magatsuchi.
A notable change is the voice of Ilulu, who will be voiced by Shiori Sugiura, replacing Tomomi Mineuchi, who retired from voice acting in 2022.
This announcement confirms that the core cast that fans have grown to love will be back for this new chapter in the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid saga.
Production Staff and Creative Vision
Tatsuya Ishihara, known for his work on Sound! Euphonium and Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, will direct the film. The script is being written by Yuka Yamada. Miku Kadowaki, besides her role as character designer, also serves as chief animation director. The late Yasuhiro Takemoto is credited as series director. Other key staff members include Shingo Kasai as art director, Naomi Takahashi as color designer, Hiroshi Karata as accessory designer, Hiroki Ueda as director of photography, and Rin Yamamoto as 3D director.
The film’s production is handled by Kyoto Animation, ensuring the high-quality animation and storytelling fans have come to expect from the studio.
A Shift in Tone?
While the anime series is known for its light-hearted and comedic tone, the teaser trailer for the film suggests a more emotional and dramatic approach. The trailer features moments that hint at potential threats to the peaceful lives of the humans and dragons. The introduction of new characters adds an element of intrigue and indicates that the story will delve deeper into the relationships and challenges faced by the characters. This shift in tone promises a more mature and poignant narrative.
The World of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Based on the manga by Coolkyousinnjya, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is a slice-of-life comedy with fantasy elements. The story revolves around Kobayashi, an ordinary office worker, whose life takes an extraordinary turn when she encounters a dragon named Tohru. The dragon transforms into a human maid to repay a debt of gratitude, leading to a series of humorous and heartwarming situations.
The series explores themes of family, friendship, and the contrast between the mundane human world and the fantastical dragon world. The original manga began in the inaugural issue of Monthly Action magazine in May 2013, before moving to Manga Action in February 2024 after the end of Monthly Action‘s publication.
The original anime television series adaptation, also produced by Kyoto Animation, aired in Japan between January and April 2017, with a second season, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, airing between July and September 2021. Both seasons are available for streaming on Crunchyroll, who describes the story as follows: Miss Kobayashi is a typical office worker whose boring life is disrupted when she saves the life of a female dragon in distress. This dragon, named Tohru, can transform into an adorable human girl who is determined to repay her debt, whether Kobayashi wants it or not.
The series also includes four spin-off titles, Kanna’s Daily Life, Elma’s Office Lady Diary, Lucoa is my xx, and Fafnir the Recluse, which were serialized in Monthly Action and later moved to Web Action.
The Legacy of Yasuhiro Takemoto
The film also serves as a poignant tribute to the late Yasuhiro Takemoto, who directed the first season of the anime and co-directed the second season. Takemoto tragically passed away in the 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack, but his contribution to the series will forever be remembered. The film credits him as series director, acknowledging his crucial role in shaping the beloved anime.
A Heartwarming Family Story
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved is poised to be an emotional and heartwarming addition to the franchise. The film promises to continue the beloved characters’ journeys with new challenges, exploring themes of family, acceptance, and the importance of bonds. With a strong cast, a dedicated production team, and a narrative that delves deeper into the characters’ lives, the movie is sure to be a must-see for fans of the series. The film is set to premiere in Japan on June 27, 2025, and fans around the world eagerly await its release.
