The highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2020 anime film Poupelle of Chimney Town is officially titled Entotsu-chō no Poupelle ~Yakusoku no Tokeidai~ (Poupelle of Chimney Town: The Promised Clocktower) and is slated to premiere in Japan on March 27, 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a special video and new illustration, revealing key production staff and a new voice for one of its central characters.
The Return to Chimney Town
Fans of the original film, which garnered praise for its breathtaking visuals and poignant storytelling, can look forward to a new adventure. The sequel will continue to explore the imaginative world first brought to life from Akihiro Nishino’s popular picture book series. The first film depicted the journey of young Lubicchi, who lives in a town shrouded in smoke, as he yearns to see the stars and eventually befriends Poupelle, a man made of garbage. The new film is expected to delve into a different thematic approach, moving from the original’s “Let’s go, get this” to a theme of “wait patiently,” centered around a town with a clock tower stopped at 11:59.
Key Staff and Creative Vision
The creative team behind the initial success is largely returning for the sequel. Akihiro Nishino, the original author of the Poupelle of Chimney Town picture book, is once again credited as the executive producer, screenwriter, and scriptwriter for the anime sequel film. Yusuke Hirota, who directed the first film, will return to helm the new installment at Studio 4°C, known for its distinctive animation style. This continuity in leadership aims to maintain the artistic integrity and storytelling quality that resonated with audiences worldwide. The sequel will be based on Nishino’s 2019 picture book, Tick-Tock ~Yakusoku no Tokeidai~.
Cast Additions and Returning Voices
While details on the full cast are still emerging, it has been confirmed that Yuzuna Nagase will take on the new voice of Lubicchi, having been chosen unanimously through auditions. The original film featured Masataka Kubota as the voice of Poupelle and Mana Ashida as Lubicchi in the Japanese version. For the English dub of the first film, Tony Hale voiced Poupelle and Antonio Raul Corbo lent his voice to Lubicchi. The involvement of these previous cast members in the sequel’s English dub has yet to be announced.
The Story Continues: “The Promised Clocktower”
The subtitle, Yakusoku no Tokeidai (The Promised Clocktower), hints at a central element of the new narrative. Nishino previously stated that the sequel’s plot would revolve around a conflict between those protecting the stopped clock tower and those seeking to repair it, a significant departure from the themes explored in the original film. The teaser video and accompanying illustration by Nishino are designed to build anticipation for this fresh yet familiar journey within the enchanting world of Chimney Town. Toho and CHIMNEY TOWN will once again handle the distribution of the film.
