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Code Geass' Goro Taniguchi Helms Paris ni Saku Étoile Film

Gorō Taniguchi (Code Geass, One Piece Film Red) is directing at Arvo Animation the original anime film Paris ni Saku Étoile (L'étoile de Paris en fleur or Étoile Blossoming in Paris), which will open on March 13, 2026. Katsuya Kondō, a frequent character designer on Ghibli films such as Kiki's Delivery Service and Ponyo, is collaborating with Taniguchi for the first time by drafting the original character designs. Ami Tōma (Lonely Castle in the Mirror, live-action Chihayafuru -Meguri-) stars as Fujiko.

The tagline in the teaser visual above reads, "I want to blossom, in this city."

The story follows two Japanese girls who never give up in reaching for étoile (stars) during the difficult times at the start of 20th century. Fujiko, who dreams of becoming a painter, and Chizuru, who is drawn into the world of ballet, meet by chance in Yokohama. Then, as if guided by fate, they meet again in Paris and work hard to follow their dreams together.

Reiko Yoshida (Violet Evergarden, Maria Watches Over Us, Kaleido Star) wrote the script, and Yū Yamashita (Bunny Drop, Love Me, Love Me Not) adapted Kondō's original character design for animation. Takayuki Hattori (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Martian Successor Nadesico) is composing the music.

The other staff members include:

• Researcher: Seiichi Shirato
• Art Director: Yūji Kaneko
• Color Key Artist: Akiko Shibata
• Compositing Director of Photography: Tsunetaka Ema
• Character Direction: Yuriko Chiba
• 3D CG Director: Hisayasu Kamiya
• Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose
• Prop Design: Tomomi Ozaki
• Mechanical Design: Fumihiro Katagai
• Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
• Distribution: Shochiku

Source: Comic Natalie