Prepare for a sensory overload. A wildly inventive and hyperactive new anime film, Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, is set to premiere on Netflix from 22 January, offering a frenetic, tech-savvy twist on a centuries-old story.
From Bamboo Stalk to Glowing Lamppost
The film is a radical reinterpretation of the classic Japanese folk tale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. Where Studio Ghibli's 2013 version was a masterpiece of traditional, hand-painted artistry, this new take plunges the story into a neon-drenched near future. The narrative begins not with a bamboo stalk, but when a responsible 17-year-old student named Iroha (voiced by Dawn M. Bennett in the English dub) discovers a baby girl inside a mysterious glowing lamppost.
Iroha, a talented musician living independently, takes the infant home. The plot then accelerates at a breakneck pace. The newborn grows into a toddler overnight, and within days blossoms into a pre-teen of otherworldly beauty named Kaguya. She reveals herself as a runaway princess from the moon, a ball of impulsive energy who dramatically alters Iroha's structured life.
A Dizzying Dive into Virtual Reality
The film's aesthetic is its most defining feature. It fully embraces the language of modern digital culture, with emojis and stickers exploding across the screen in a constant, trippy visual barrage. A significant portion of the action unfolds within a chaotic virtual reality realm called Tsukuyomi, where Iroha pursues her idol, an AI musical megastar named Yachiyo.
Kaguya, the lunar escapee, pushes the pragmatic Iroha to collaborate on music, aiming to win a competition for a chance to perform with Yachiyo. The film's plot moves with such relentless, hyperactive energy that it may leave viewers over the age of 15 feeling distinctly ancient, as if caught in a digital whirlwind.
Final Verdict on a Techno-Folk Tale
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is a film that earns its exclamation mark. It is a bold, unapologetically modern mash-up that filters an ancient legend through the lens of virtual reality, AI pop stars, and internet-age communication. While its frantic pace and visual style won't be for everyone, it stands as a fascinating counterpoint to more traditional adaptations and a vivid example of anime's capacity for relentless innovation. It arrives exclusively on Netflix this month, ready to test your visual stamina.
