Get ready to dive into a heartwarming adventure! The first main trailer for Eiga Odekake Kozame Tokai no Otomodachi (Film Little Shark’s Outings: The City’s Friend), the anime film adaptation of Penguin Box’s Odekake Kozame (Little Shark’s Outings) manga, has finally arrived, revealing a delightful premiere date of August 22nd and introducing even more cast members to this charming tale.
Kozame-chan Heads to the Big City
Odekake Kozame follows the nostalgic, everyday adventures of Kozame-chan, a young shark navigating the human world. Originally a web manga that debuted on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2021, the series quickly captured hearts with its sweet and relatable stories. The manga was later serialized in Enterbrain’s Aokishi magazine starting October 20, 2021.
The anime film centers on Kozame-chan’s exciting trip to the city. After spotting a dazzling poster of the city at Yaocho’s train station and being further enticed by a shark-shaped cloud, Kozame-chan boards a train and embarks on a grand adventure in the bustling metropolis.
A Glimpse into “Tokai no Otomodachi”
The newly released trailer offers a sneak peek into Kozame-chan’s urban escapades. We see her wide-eyed wonder as she takes in the bright lights, crowded streets, and vibrant energy of the city. The trailer also hints at the heartwarming encounters and new friendships Kozame-chan will make along the way.
New Faces Join the Adventure
In addition to the trailer, Kadokawa has unveiled new cast members who will be bringing life to the film’s charming characters. The cast includes:
- Manaka Iwami as Sora, a spirited second-year high school student from Yao High School. Sora meets Kozame-chan while feeling down about transferring to a new high school in the city.
- Rin Kurusu as Miho, Sora’s classmate who is passionate about idol groups.
- Megumi Han as Ankō-chan, a baby anglerfish who isn’t fond of bright places.
- Misaki Kuno as Usame-chan, a rabbit that Kozame-chan meets on a full moon night in the city.
- Yūichirō Umehara as Man with a Mohawk, a quirky and mysterious character.
- Natsuki Hanae as Haruto, Tokai’s caring older brother.
These new additions join the already announced Kana Hanazawa, who voices the titular Kozame-chan.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
The Odekake Kozame anime film boasts a talented team of creators:
- Director: Chihiro Kumano (The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei)
- Screenwriter & Scriptwriter: Hiroaki Nagashima (who also worked on the web anime series)
- Character Designer: Ayumi Takeuchi (My Happy Marriage key animation)
- Sound Director: Kisuke Koizumi (My Happy Marriage)
- Music Composer: Yoshiaki Fujisawa (Love Live! Superstar!!)
- Animation Production: ENGI, the studio that also produced the web anime series.
From Web Manga to Anime Film: A Journey of “Odekake Kozame”
The Odekake Kozame journey began as a web manga on Twitter in June 2021, created by Penguin Box. Its heartwarming stories and adorable characters quickly gained a following, leading to serialization in Aokishi magazine. The manga’s popularity further expanded with an original net animation (ONA) series that streamed on YouTube from August 2023 to May 2024, consisting of 60 episodes.
The upcoming film, Eiga Odekake Kozame Tokai no Otomodachi, marks the next chapter in Kozame-chan’s adventures, bringing her story to the big screen.
What to Expect from the Film
Eiga Odekake Kozame Tokai no Otomodachi promises to be a heartwarming and visually stunning film that will appeal to fans of all ages. The film’s synopsis suggests a story about friendship, exploration, and finding joy in new experiences. Kozame-chan’s journey to the city will undoubtedly be filled with charming encounters, unexpected discoveries, and plenty of heartwarming moments.
With its talented cast and creative team, Odekake Kozame: The City’s Friend is shaping up to be a must-see anime film of Summer 2025.
Mark Your Calendars!
Eiga Odekake Kozame Tokai no Otomodachi is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on August 22, 2025. Get ready to join Kozame-chan on her unforgettable adventure in the big city!
