A new clip has been unveiled for the upcoming fourth Sumikko Gurashi anime film, officially titled Eiga Sumikko Gurashi: Sora no Ōkoku to Futari no Ko (Sumikko Gurashi The Movie: The Sky Kingdom and the Two Children). The brief video offers a glimpse into the film’s enchanting world, showcasing the beloved Sumikko characters in a musical endeavor and introducing new figures. The film is slated for release in Japan on October 31, 2025.
A Glimpse into the Sky Kingdom
The recently released clip, shared via the official Sumikko Gurashi anime film X/Twitter account, features the main Sumikko characters engaging in a delightful activity: playing “sacred flowers” to produce a melody. This charming scene is orchestrated by a mysterious, penguin-looking creature, hinting at new interactions and adventures for the shy, corner-loving characters. Following the clip, a trailer teases Kaela Kimura’s theme song for the movie, “Kimi no Kasa” (Your Umbrella).
New Characters Emerge in the Aerial Adventure
The upcoming fourth installment promises to expand the Sumikko Gurashi universe with new characters and a fresh storyline. The film’s synopsis reveals that after a period of continuous rain in Sumikko’s town, an “Ouji” (prince) from the Sky Kingdom suddenly falls from above. The Sumikko friends rush to assist the fallen prince, learning about a severe water shortage in his cloud-dwelling kingdom. This event sparks the Sumikkos’ airborne adventure to help save the Sky Kingdom from crisis. Beyond the prince, the film has also teased another new character, identified only as “???”, adding an element of mystery to the narrative. The teaser visual carries the tagline: “The adventure has fallen.”
Production Details and Returning Talent
Fanworks, the studio behind all previous Sumikko Gurashi TV anime series and films, is producing the fourth movie. Naomi Iwata is directing the film, while Takashi Sumita, known for his work on the first and third Sumikko Gurashi films, returns as the scriptwriter. Kaori Hino also reprises her role as art director, having worked on the first two films. Fan-favorite narrators Yoshihiko Inohara and Manami Honjō will once again lend their voices to the film, continuing their long-standing involvement with the franchise. Asmik Ace, Inc. is handling the distribution of the film.
The Enduring Appeal of Sumikko Gurashi
The Sumikko Gurashi franchise, created by Japanese company San-X in 2012, revolves around a group of timid characters who prefer to live a quiet life in corners. The main Sumikko characters include Shirokuma (a polar bear sensitive to cold), Penguin? (a penguin unsure of its identity), Tonkatsu (a leftover pork cutlet), Neko (a shy cat), and Tokage (a dinosaur pretending to be a lizard). The franchise has garnered significant popularity, with merchandise, books, mobile apps, and video games.
Previous Cinematic Successes
The Sumikko Gurashi film series has achieved notable success since its debut. The first film, Sumikko Gurashi: Good to Be in The Corner, was released in November 2019 and sold over 1.22 million tickets, grossing 1.4 billion yen. It also won the Best Animation of the Year award at the 29th Annual Japan Movie Critics Awards. The second film, Sumikko Gurashi: The Little Wizard in the Blue Moonlight, followed in November 2021. The third installment, Sumikko Gurashi: The Patched-Up Factory in the Woods, opened in November 2023. The cumulative attendance for the film series has exceeded three million.
