Crunchyroll Announces Acquisition of Anime Film 'Whoever Steals This Book'
Trailer
Los Angeles, California (January 30, 2026) – Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, announced today that it has acquired the North American theatrical rights to the fantasy adventure anime film, Whoever Steals This Book. The film will be available in Japanese with English subtitles.
An adaptation of Nowaki Fukamidori's novel of the same name, the film follows high school student Mifuyu Mikuru, who finds herself in the middle of a mystery in her town, involving a powerful curse from stolen books.
Whoever Steals This Book is the first feature film from director Daiki Fukuoka, and was released in Japan by KADOKAWA ANIMATION On December 26, 2025. The film will make its International premiere at the New York International Children's Film Festival, where it will screen as an official selection. Additional theatrical release information to be announced at a later date.
Official Film Synopsis:
“I wish I'd never read a book…!”
Mifuyu Mikura is a high school student living in Yomunaga, a town steeped in stories and surrounded by books. Her great-grandfather founded Mikura Hall, a renowned library that her family has managed for generations. But despite being raised in a book-loving town, Mifuyu has always hated books.
One day, a mysterious theft at Mikura Hall unleashes a powerful curse — the books' curse — dragging the entire town into the worlds of the stolen stories. To undo the curse, Mifuyu must dive into the very tales she's always avoided.
Teaming up with a strange girl named Mashiro, she sets out to reclaim the stolen books and uncover the truth behind the curse.
Who is the thief?
And what hidden secrets lie within the Mikura family — and Mifuyu herself?
A story-jumping fantasy adventure begins, filled with mystery, magic, and the power of words.
When the final curse is broken, the truth that was taken will be revealed.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
Films distributed and marketed by Crunchyroll—domestically and internationally—have a proven track record of both box office and critical success. Crunchyroll's theatrical team has been behind 11 of the Top 20 best-performing anime films in U.S. box office history, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle. Not only have Crunchyroll films seen box office success, but have also been recognized with numerous awards and accolades and been accepted and screened at international film festivals around the globe.
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