The beloved novel Daisy's Life (Hinagiku no Jinsei) by Banana Yoshimoto is being adapted into a theatrical anime for the first time. Scheduled for release in 2026, the film will be directed by Masaaki Yuasa, known for Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and INU-OH. Animation production will be handled by Yuasa’s newly established studio ame pippin, alongside Miyu Productions.

A Soulful Tale of Friendship, Loss, and Reconnection

Originally serialized in the magazine CUT from November 1998 to January 2000, the story follows Hinagiku, a girl who loses her mother—her only family—in an accident during childhood. Her closest companion was her best friend Dahlia, who later moved to Brazil.

Years pass, and Hinagiku, now an adult, lives with her aunt and uncle while working at their yakisoba shop. One rainy day—reminiscent of the night her mother died—she receives a letter from Brazil. Inside are traces of a mysterious, enduring connection between two distant and lonely souls.

Yuasa’s New Studio Debuts with a Fantastical Vision

This adaptation marks the first project by ame pippin, the animation studio founded by Yuasa in February 2025. The screenplay will be written by Sachiko Tanaka, known for her work on live-action films such as Before We Vanish and Asako I & II. This will be her first anime script.

Blending grounded emotion with visual imagination, the film will offer a fresh perspective on everyday life and cosmic-scale intimacy.

Selected for Annecy 2025 “Work in Progress” Presentation

The film has also been selected for the “Work in Progress” category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025, one of the largest animation festivals in the world. Director Yuasa and team will present the ongoing production on June 13 (local time) to fans and industry professionals. The film’s global anticipation is further heightened by its co-production with the renowned French studio Miyu Productions, a previous Annecy Crystal winner.

Creator Comments Celebrate the Project’s Heart

Banana Yoshimoto (Author):
"It’s been a dream of mine to have Director Yuasa bring this story to life. He truly captures movement—not just of bodies, but of hearts. Seeing my characters’ emotions come alive in motion fills me with joy."

Sachiko Tanaka (Screenwriter):
"Yuasa’s imagination, Yoshimoto’s story, Nara’s character designs—being part of this team is an honor. I hope to express human kindness, fragility, strength, and the inner journey of the protagonist with the care they deserve."

Masaaki Yuasa (Director):
"Among Yoshimoto’s works, this one always evoked visuals for me. Though it has raw and sometimes frightening moments, the ending resonated with dreams I once had. I want to depict a small-town yakisoba shop life on a cosmic scale."

Source : ORICON NEWS