Kyoto Animation’s highly anticipated film, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, has unveiled its non-credit opening sequence, a fresh key visual, and details regarding additional voice cast members. The cinematic expansion of the beloved slice-of-life fantasy series officially premiered in Japanese theaters on June 27, 2025, promising to delve deeper into the emotional core of its cherished characters while introducing new complexities to their intertwined worlds.
The Narrative Unfolds: Kanna’s Central Conflict
The film, directed by Tatsuya Ishihara and penned by Yuka Yamada, marks a significant narrative turn for the franchise. Unlike previous spin-offs, this movie directly integrates into the main story, picking up after the events of the second anime season. At its heart, A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved centers on the adorable dragon child Kanna Kamui, as her peaceful existence with Miss Kobayashi and Tohru is dramatically challenged.
The plot sees the arrival of Kanna’s biological father, Kimun Kamui, a formidable leader of the Chaos Faction from the Dragon World, who demands her return. This unexpected reunion throws Kanna into a profound dilemma, torn between her found family in the human realm and her ancestral duties. Miss Kobayashi, unwavering in her commitment, actively strives to mend Kanna and Kimun’s fractured relationship, showcasing the strength of their bond. As tensions escalate and a war brews between the Chaos and Harmony factions within the dragon realm, Ilulu discovers a hidden force manipulating the conflict, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama. This narrative promises a compelling blend of the series’ signature heartwarming moments with emotionally weighty themes of family, loyalty, and identity.
Cast Enhancements and Returning Favorites
The film introduces several new voices that expand the rich tapestry of the Dragon Maid universe. Fumihiko Tachiki steps into the pivotal role of Kimun Kamui, Kanna’s estranged father, bringing a seasoned presence to the character. Nobunaga Shimazaki joins the cast as Azad, another new character whose role is expected to be significant in the overarching conflict. Furthermore, the film features Shinya Takahashi and Azusa Tadokoro lending their voices to a pair of fairies, adding to the magical inhabitants of the dragon world.
A notable casting change sees Shiori Sugiura taking over the role of Ilulu, replacing Tomomi Mineuchi, who retired from voice acting in 2022. Sugiura’s portrayal of the fiery dragon character is anticipated by fans eager to see her take on the role.
The core ensemble that has endeared the series to fans worldwide will, fortunately, be reprising their roles, ensuring continuity and comfort for viewers. This includes:
- Mutsumi Tamura as Miss Kobayashi
- Yūki Kuwahara as Tohru
- Maria Naganawa as Kanna Kamui
- Yūki Takada as Elma
- Minami Takahashi as Lucoa
- Daisuke Ono as Fafnir
- Yūichi Nakamura as Makoto Takiya
- Emiri Katō as Riko Saikawa
- Kaori Ishihara as Shōta Magatsuchi
This blend of new talent and familiar voices aims to enrich the film’s narrative while maintaining the cherished dynamics of the Dragon Maid family.
Visual and Aural Spectacle: Non-Credit Opening and Key Art
The reveal of the non-credit opening, featured on the film’s official website, provides an early glimpse into the cinematic experience, showcasing the vibrant animation style Kyoto Animation is renowned for. The sequence is set to the film’s opening theme song, “Namida no Parade” (Parade of Tears), performed by the popular band fhána. fhána has a long-standing association with the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid anime, having provided theme songs for both previous television seasons.
Accompanying the opening is a new key visual that offers a poignant insight into the film’s tone. Unveiled at AnimeJapan 2025, the visual prominently features a melancholic-looking Kanna alongside the newly introduced characters, hinting at the emotional journey awaiting audiences. The art style maintains the series’ signature charming aesthetic, yet with an added depth that foreshadows the film’s more serious undertones.
Beyond the opening, the film’s musical landscape is further enhanced by Sachiko Kobayashi performing the ending theme, “Bokutachi no Hibi” (Days of Us), and kotringo contributing an insert song titled “Negaigoto” (Wish). The full theme song CD and a “Complete Musical Works” CD were released in Japan on the film’s premiere date, June 27, 2025.
Global Reach and Production Excellence
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved is produced by Kyoto Animation, a studio celebrated for its meticulous animation and emotionally resonant storytelling, as seen in acclaimed works such as A Silent Voice and Violet Evergarden: The Movie. The returning production staff also includes Yuka Yamada on script, Miku Kadowaki handling character designs and serving as chief animation director, Shingo Kasai as art director, and Hiroki Ueda as director of photography, among others. The late Yasuhiro Takemoto is credited as series director, a posthumous recognition following his significant contributions to the franchise.
For international fans, Crunchyroll has secured the worldwide theatrical rights (excluding Asia), with plans to screen the film in North America in Japanese with English subtitles. This global distribution ensures that audiences beyond Japan will have the opportunity to experience Kanna’s poignant journey on the big screen, reinforcing the franchise’s broad appeal. Both previous seasons of the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid anime are available for streaming on Crunchyroll, with the English dub accessible via Funimation. The film’s theatrical run in Japan includes screenings in 4DX and MX4D formats, offering an immersive viewing experience with motion and special effects.
As the film rolls out in theaters, it stands as a testament to the enduring charm of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, promising fans an emotional and magical cinematic adventure that deepens the bonds of its beloved characters and expands the horizons of their fantastical world.
