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GKids is bringing the anime film Cocoon—One Summer of Girlhooddirected by Yukimitsu Ina (Star Wars: Visions), to the U.S. after it premiered in March 2025 in Japan. Both subbed and dubbed versions will screen during the movie’s theatrical release.
Based on the josei wartime manga Cocoon by Machiko Kyo, Cocoon—One Summer of Girlhood follows two young girls as they’re forced to adapt to a frightening new reality. The official synopsis reads, “San and Mayu attend an all-girls school on a warm and tranquil island. When war reaches their shores, they are ordered to help nurse the wounded in a military hospital hidden away in a cave. Amidst escalating death and brutality, the friends struggle to find solace in their fragile lives.”
That brief summary doesn’t come close to capturing just how harrowing and haunting the manga gets as the story marches on. If the film is faithful to its source material, we’re in for a pretty bleak ride.
Cocoon—One Summer of Girlhood is the debut feature from animation studio Sasayuri, which was founded by Studio Ghibli veteran Hitomi Tateno. Fellow Ghibli expat animators Akihiko Yamashita and Shinji Ōtsuka also worked on the film, while Kensuke Ushio (Taste) provided the score. Ina co-wrote the script with Taku Kishimoto (Sakamoto Days). The Japanese voice cast includes Marika Ito as San and Hikari Mitsushima as Mayu, and GKids will announce the English voice cast later this summer.
Cocoon—One Summer of Girlhood hits theaters on September 4.
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