Yasuomi Umetsu, the creator of cult anime classics like Kite and Mezzo Forte, is teaming up with Studio Shaft for Virgin Punk, an original anime film series. The first installment, Clockwork Girl, is slated for theatrical release in June 2025, and the newly announced cast is generating buzz among anime enthusiasts.
A Decade-Long Return for Umetsu
After a decade-long hiatus from directing, Virgin Punk marks Yasuomi Umetsu’s return to the director’s chair. Known for his bold use of color, real-world detail, fluid animation, and portrayal of underworld criminals, Umetsu’s unique style has left a lasting impression on the anime medium. His earlier works, such as Megazone 23 Part 2 (1986), broke the mold with their authentic punk rock look and attitude, setting him apart from the cartoonish trends of the time. Umetsu’s expertise also extends to key animation roles in iconic projects like Akira and Grave of the Fireflies.
Collaboration with Studio Shaft
Studio Shaft, renowned for acclaimed titles like Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series, brings its signature visual style to Virgin Punk. Known for sharp angles, surreal transitions, and symbolic storytelling, Shaft’s collaboration with Umetsu is expected to deliver a visually stunning and narratively compelling anime. Mitsutoshi Kubota from Shaft emphasized that Umetsu was given creative freedom, unbound by the studio’s typical directing manual, allowing him to direct the work in his own distinctive style.
Story and Characters
Virgin Punk centers on Ubu, a young woman living as a bounty hunter in the year 2099. As she grapples with her inner turmoil, she becomes entangled in a world of chaos and ambition, surrounded by intense and eccentric personalities. The first part, Clockwork Girl, hints at a steampunk theme, promising high-stakes chases and intense shootouts in a futuristic, dystopian world. Yuya Takahashi, known for his work on Lupin the 3rd, is in charge of the series composition and script.
Announced Cast Members
While specific roles haven’t been explicitly assigned to each actor, the announced cast includes:
- Saki Miyashita: Voice actress known for roles in various anime series.
- Katsuyuki Konishi: A veteran voice actor with an extensive list of credits, including roles in popular anime like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
- Taku Yashiro: Voice actor known for roles in anime such as * блеск*.
- Norio Wakamoto: A legendary voice actor known for his deep, commanding voice and villainous roles in anime like Dragon Ball Z and Code Geass.
- Sumire Uesaka: Voice actress and singer known for her roles in anime like Pop Team Epic and * Overlord*.
Production Team
The production team for Virgin Punk includes:
- Director/Character Designer: Yasuomi Umetsu
- Series Composer/Scriptwriter: Yuya Takahashi
- Art Directors: Yuji Honjo and Yuki Funagakure
- Music: Yoshiaki Dewa
- Main Animators: Genichiro Abe, Shinya Takahashi, Maho Kando
- Mechanical Design: Niθ
- Sound Director: Shoji Hata
- Director of Photography: Takayuki Aizu
- Art Setting: Shinichi Yokota
- Editing: Rie Matsubara
Release Details
Clockwork Girl, the first part of Virgin Punk, is set to be theatrically released on June 27, 2025, in two select cinemas in Japan: Cine Libre Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Theater Umeda in Osaka. Details regarding wider distribution, including international availability, are yet to be announced.
