The Ribbon Hero, a New Take on Tezuka's Princess Knight, Hits Netflix August 8

What was announced

Netflix has dated The Ribbon Hero, an anime film inspired by Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight for an August 8, 2026 worldwide release. The official Netflix Anime account says the story "begins August 8, premiering exclusively on Netflix," and features brand new character designs by Kei Mochizuki. It was revealed as part of Netflix's anime slate at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, alongside a first teaser.

A new spin on a landmark

The film reimagines Princess Knight, the tale of Sapphire, the sword-wielding heir whose story Tezuka began serializing in 1953. The original is widely regarded as a foundational work of shojo manga, one whose magical-girl transformations and cross-dressing royal hero shaped decades of stories aimed at young readers. According to Anime News Network, The Ribbon Hero marks the franchise's first new anime in 27 years, following a 1999 short, which makes this the highest-profile return the property has had in a generation.

Who is making it

Per Anime News Network, the film is produced by Netflix and Twin Engine, animated by Outline, and directed by Yuki Igarashi in his feature directorial debut. Igarashi previously directed the Star Wars: Visions short "Lop & Ocho" and worked as a key animator on the first season of Jujutsu Kaisen. Kei Mochizuki, known for designs on Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu, is providing original takes on the characters, with character concept work from Mai Yoneyama, an alumna of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. ANN reports the score comes from Satoru Kosaki and Ryuichi Takada of the music collective MONACA.

Why it matters

Princess Knight sits near the root of the magical-girl and shojo traditions, so a modern, big-budget reimagining carries real weight. Netflix is leaning into that lineage, pairing a debut director with a marquee design and music team and a worldwide same-day release. The teaser already shows what the new look is going for, a sleeker Sapphire and a fresh take on the transformation sequences that made the original so influential. For longtime fans, it is a classic getting its most ambitious screen treatment in decades.