11-Minute Massive Preview Released for Goro Taniguchi's New Film Paris ni Saku Etoile
The original anime film Paris ni Saku Etoile (L'étoile de Paris en fleur), which was released in Japan on March 13, 2026, and sparked great curiosity, is here with a surprise for its fans. The film's production team has released a comprehensive video on digital platforms featuring the first 11 minutes of the story. This long preview offers a great opportunity for anime lovers who are curious about the film's visual quality, character dynamics, and the atmosphere of Paris in the early 1900s.
The name behind the film is one of the legendary directors of the anime world, Goro Taniguchi. We know him for his genius in the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion series and the recent box-office hit One Piece Film Red. Taniguchi not only sits in the director's chair for this project but also appears as the original creator of the story. Departing from the director's action-packed past, his preference for a more emotional, artistic, and aesthetic narrative in this film proves how personal and special the project is.
Paris ni Saku Etoile takes place in the early 20th century between Paris and Yokohama, the heart of cultural transformation. The story follows the intersection of the paths of two young Japanese girls: Fujiko (voiced by Ami Touma), who dreams of becoming a painter, and Chizuru (voiced by Lina Arashi), who is passionate about ballet. These two young talents, who first meet by chance at the port of Yokohama, reunite in Paris, the capital of art, as a twist of fate. The film delves deeply into the efforts of Asian artists at the time to gain acceptance in Western art forms and the emotional struggles they face while chasing their dreams.
A "star-studded cast" is at work in the production's kitchen. The character designs bear the signature of the legendary artist Katsuya Kondo, whom we know from Studio Ghibli classics such as Kiki's Delivery Service and Ponyo. In the screenwriter's chair sits Reiko Yoshida, who won our hearts with Violet Evergarden and A Silent Voice. The project, brought to life by Arvo Animation, was developed with great meticulousness and an independent spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic. As can be seen in the 11-minute video released, the historical accuracy of the architecture and objects of the period succeeds in trapping the viewer in the streets of Paris from those years.
The film, which is currently being shown in 285 theaters in Japan, is expected to be featured in international film festivals and global streaming platforms in the coming months. If you enjoy historical dramas, the healing power of art, and stories of strong female characters, Paris ni Saku Etoile is definitely a production that should be on your radar.
