As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches, a poignant new anime adaptation is set to premiere, offering a fresh perspective on the war’s impact. ‘Cocoon,’ based on the acclaimed manga by Kyo Machiko, is slated to air in the Summer of 2025. The series promises a harrowing yet touching portrayal of young girls caught in the throes of conflict.
A Glimpse into ‘Cocoon’
‘Cocoon’ plunges viewers into the lives of San and Mayu, two students at an elite all-girls school in Okinawa during the final months of the Pacific War. As the war escalates, these young women, along with their classmates, are thrust into the role of nurses, tending to wounded soldiers.
The Story’s Core
The narrative explores the girls’ experiences as they grapple with the harsh realities of war, the loss of friends, and the looming threat to their own lives. Ordered to sacrifice themselves, they make a desperate escape, only to confront the brutal landscape of a tropical paradise transformed into a battlefield.
Production Team and Studio
Studio Sasayuri is producing the anime. Hitomi Tateno, a veteran animator from Studio Ghibli, is serving as the animation producer. Tateno’s impressive resume includes work on beloved classics such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” “Whisper of the Heart,” “Ponyo on the Cliff” and “When Marnie Was There”.
Studio Sasayuri
Founded initially as a cafe by Hitomi Tateno in 2014, Sasayuri later expanded in 2017 to include animation production and animator training departments. The cafe portion has been closed since 2020.
Themes and Significance
‘Cocoon’ delves into themes of war, loss, resilience, and the impact of conflict on young lives. It aims to provide an opportunity for viewers, especially those who haven’t experienced war, to reflect on the past and connect with the stories of those who lived through it.
Connecting Past and Present
Kyo Machiko’s manga, originally serialized in Elegance Eve from May 2009 to July 2010, was selected for the Jury Selections of the 14th Manga Division Jury Selections by the Japan Media Arts Festival. The anime adaptation arrives 80 years after the end of World War II.
Machiko Kyo: The Visionary Behind ‘Cocoon’
Kyo Machiko began her manga career in 2004 with online one-page comics, later compiled into “Sennen Gaho” in 2008. Her manga “Mitsuami no Kami-sama” won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize’s New Artist Prize and was adapted into a short film, “Pigtails,” by Production I.G.
Kyo Machiko’s Artistic Philosophy
Kyo Machiko strives to depict ordinary lives and convey the message of interconnectedness. Her works often explore the balance between societal shifts and personal landscapes.
Additional Insights
The anime adaptation is intended to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War, offering a chance to reflect on war and its related themes. The manga is believed to be based on the Himeyuri students in Okinawa.
What to Expect
Viewers can anticipate a moving and thought-provoking series that explores the human cost of war through the eyes of young women facing unimaginable circumstances. With a talented production team and a compelling source material, ‘Cocoon’ is poised to be a significant addition to the anime landscape.
