Who doesn't know Anpanman? The beloved character, who first graced storybooks way back in 1973, has been a household name for over five decades, becoming a national hero for kids and adults alike.
Get ready, because today (January 23) the official word dropped: the 37th Anpanman movie is titled "Go! Anpanman: Pantan and the Promised Star" (それいけ！アンパンマン パンタンと約束の星)! They also unveiled a special teaser trailer and a brand-new visual, confirming a June 26, 2026 release across Japan.
Since its TV anime debut in October 1988 and its first theatrical film in March 1989, Anpanman has journeyed through the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras, consistently delivering messages of "love and courage" to generations of children.
This latest adventure, "Pantan and the Promised Star," centers around one key word: "promise." Our new core character is Pantan, a traveling panda bear adventurer. He embarks on a quest to the dazzling "Rainbow Star" in the night sky, seeking a legendary treasure to fulfill a crucial promise made to another adventurer long ago.
Along his treasure hunt, Pantan teams up with Anpanman, Creampanda, and other beloved friends. Together, they'll face a series of challenges. What kind of adventures await them? Does the treasure truly exist? A thrilling and heartwarming grand adventure is about to unfold!
The film sees the return of director Hiroyuki Yano, a long-time contributor to the Anpanman TV anime and numerous theatrical features. He's joined by scriptwriter Shoji Yonemura, also deeply familiar with the series, as they once again collaborate to bring this story to life.
The official team also dropped a special visual, brimming with a fantastical vibe, newly drawn by "Yanase Studio," the office of the late original picture book author Takashi Yanase. The artwork features the vibrant "Rainbow Star" shining in the night sky, with Pantan and Anpanman gazing upwards from the ground. In the water's reflection, a smiling Anpanman and an older Pantan are mirrored, accompanied by the tagline, "Let's go together, to the promised place," leaving us all wondering about the story's journey.
With the film set to premiere in Japan on June 26, fans can eagerly anticipate what new tales this latest Anpanman movie will bring!
