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Aniplex USA to Release 'Clockwork Girl' Episode of Virgin Punk Original Anime Theatrically

Aniplex of America announced during its panel at Anime Expo on Thursday that it will hold a theatrical release for "Clockwork Girl," the first story in director Yasuomi Umetsu and animation studio SHAFT's Virgin Punk original anime series. Aniplex of America did not announce an opening date for the anime, but did stream the below English-subtitled trailer.

Conditions for Receiving Bounty: Bring the brain of a wanted criminal possessing illegal Somadea to authorities. Whether the target is alive or dead…is irrelevant.

The year is 2099. Humanity has advanced, overcoming all injuries and illnesses with the development of the Medical Android Technology “Somadea.” However, along with the development of Somadea, crimes misusing said technology have rapidly increased.

Somadea grants physical abilities far superior to those of normal flesh and blood, and by illegally modifying it, Somadea can be misused for criminal purposes. To deal with these Somadea crimes, the government established the Bounty Hunter System. Civilians registered as bounty hunters are permitted to kill illegal Somadea users designated as wanted criminals by the police. In return, they are rewarded with large amounts of bounty money.

In this unforgiving world, Ubu Kamigori makes a living hunting down criminals as a bounty hunter. But one day, when she returns home from a job, she finds the man with whom she has a sordid history waiting there – Mr. Elegance. And so, her destiny begins to unravel.

A tale woven by mechanical girls and the smell of gunpowder smoke, this suspenseful action begins!

The film's Japanese cast members include:

"Clockwork Girl" opened theatrically in Japan on June 27 at Cine Libre Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Theatre Umeda in Osaka. The film opened at #1 in the mini-theater rankings.

Yasuomi Umetsu and studio SHAFT are credited as original creators. Umetsu (Kite, Mezzo, Girl's High, Kiss and Cry film) is directing the anime at SHAFT, and is also designing the characters. Yūya Takahashi (Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible, Lupin III: Part IV) is in charge of series composition and script. Gen'ichirou Abe (Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu film), Shinya Takahashi (Battle Angel key animation), and Maho Kando (Josee, The Tiger and the Fish 2nd key animation) are the main animators.

Addional staff are:

Sub-Character Design: Keita Matsumoto
Mechanic Design: Niθ
Prop Design: Naoko Kouda, Shinya Nishizawa
Art Setting: Shin'ichi Yokota
Art Directors: Yūshi Honjō, Yuki Funagakure
Assistant Art Director: Mizuki Saitō
Color Design: Yasuko Watanabe
Compositing Directors of Photography: Takayuki Aizu, Rei Egami
Monitor Graphics: Capsule
3DCG: Moe, Cre-p Co., Ltd., Dandelion Animation Studio, SHAFT
Editing: Rie Matsubara
Sound Director: Shōji Hata
Music: Yoshiaki Dewa
Distribution: Aniplex

Sources: Press release, AX 2025 panel (Alex Mateo)

ANN's coverage of Anime Expo 2025 is sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press!