The highly anticipated anime film, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to be Loved (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon: Samishigariya no Ryū), has unveiled its non-credit opening, additional cast members, and a new visual as it premiered in Japanese theaters on Friday, June 27, 2025. This theatrical release from Kyoto Animation is set to expand globally, with Crunchyroll acquiring worldwide (excluding Asia) theatrical rights.
Film’s Premiere and Global Reach
The film officially opened in 199 theaters across Japan on June 27, 2025, including immersive 4DX and MX4D screenings. An advance screening was also held on May 26. For international fans, Crunchyroll will be distributing the film in North America, with screenings in Japanese accompanied by English subtitles, and further global territories and release dates to be announced.
Unveiling the Non-Credit Opening
A significant reveal for fans is the non-credit opening sequence, featuring the film’s theme song, “Namida no Parade” (“Parade of Tears”) by fhána. fhána is a returning artist for the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid series, having performed theme songs for previous seasons. The opening provides an early glimpse into the film’s animation and atmosphere, further building excitement for its narrative.
Expanded Voice Cast and Familiar Voices
The film sees the return of beloved voice actors, with Mutsumi Tamura as Kobayashi, Yūki Kuwahara as Tohru, and Maria Naganawa as Kanna. Other returning cast members include Yūki Takada as Elma, Minami Takahashi as Lucoa, Daisuke Ono as Fafnir, Yūichi Nakamura as Makoto Takiya, Emiri Katō as Riko Saikawa, and Kaori Ishihara as Shōta Magatsuchi.
New additions to the cast bring fresh voices to the unfolding story. Fumihiko Tachiki joins as Kimun Kamui, and Nobunaga Shimazaki takes on the role of Azad. Notably, Shiori Sugiura steps in as the voice of Ilulu, replacing Tomomi Mineuchi, who retired from voice acting in 2022. Further expanding the cast, Shinya Takahashi voices the middle-aged fairy, a character who also appeared in the second TV anime season, and Azusa Tadokoro is cast as the fairy girl.
Sachiko Kobayashi performs the ending theme song, “Bokutachi no Hibi” (“Days of Us”), while kotringo is responsible for the insert song “Negaigoto” (Wish).
A Compelling New Visual
In addition to the cast announcements, a new key visual has been released, providing a striking preview of the film’s artistic direction. This collaboration visual, co-drawn by Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid original manga author Coolkyousinnjya and anime character designer Miku Kadowaki, features central characters Kanna, Kobayashi, Tohru, and Ilulu, alongside the new characters Kimun Kamui and Azad, depicted in what appears to be a confrontational stance.
The Narrative Unfolds: Kanna’s Dilemma
The film’s plot, which picks up directly after the events of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S (Season 2), centers on Kanna Kamui. Her peaceful life with Miss Kobayashi, Tohru, and Iruru is disrupted by the arrival of her father, Kamun Kamui, the leader of the Chaos Forces. Kanna is compelled to return to the Dragon World to rectify a past mistake, amidst a brewing war between the Chaos and Harmony factions. The narrative will explore Kanna’s struggle to unite these two worlds while torn between her loyalty to her friends and her father’s demands. Miss Kobayashi, however, is determined to help mend Kanna and Kamui’s fractured relationship, as Iruru uncovers a hidden force manipulating the conflict.
Production Team
The film is directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, known for his work on Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S. Yuka Yamada handled the script, and Miku Kadowaki served as character designer and chief animation director. The late Yasuhiro Takemoto, who directed the first season, is credited as “series director,” a symbolic gesture honoring his legacy following the Kyoto Animation arson attack. Shingo Kasai is the art director, Naomi Takahashi is the color designer, Hiroshi Karata is the accessory designer, Hiroki Ueda is the director of photography, and Rin Yamamoto is the 3D director.
Background of the Series
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid originated as a manga series written and illustrated by Coolkyousinnjya, which began serialization in Futabasha’s Monthly Action magazine in May 2013 before moving to Manga Action in 2024. The manga has spawned several spin-off series. Kyoto Animation adapted the manga into an anime television series that aired in 2017, followed by a second season, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, in 2021. Both seasons are available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The franchise also includes a video game, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: Burst Forth!! Choro-gon Breath, released in 2022.
