New Film by Studio Ghibli Veterans Gets Emotional and Visual Praise
Originally published Jul 16, 2026
By Willa Rowe · Polygon
AI-generated summary based on Polygon · Aggregated by GamingCurve · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 17, 2026
Key points
- Cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood is directed by Yukimitsu Ina and produced by Sasayuri, an animation studio founded by former Studio Ghibli artists.
- The film is based on a manga by Machiko Kyo, inspired by the real-life Himeyuri tragedy during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
- GKIDS has acquired North American distribution rights and will release the film on Sept. 4, with both Japanese and English dubs available.
- The film received critical praise for its emotional depth and visual artistry during its Japanese premiere last year.
Cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood, directed by Yukimitsu Ina and produced by animation studio Sasayuri, is being hailed as a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film. Created by a team of former Studio Ghibli artists, the film follows two girls navigating the horrors of war in a secluded military hospital on a quiet island. The movie is based on a manga by Machiko Kyo, inspired by the real-life tragedy of the Himeyuri students during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. The film's Japanese premiere last year received critical acclaim for its poignant depiction of gendered violence and suffering. GKIDS, the distributor, has acquired North American rights and will release the film on Sept. 4, with both Japanese and English dubs available.
Read the original story: Polygon — by Willa Rowe