The upcoming fourth Sumikko Gurashi anime film, officially titled Eiga Sumikko Gurashi: Sora no Ōkoku to Futari no Ko (The Sky Kingdom and the Two Children), has released a new promotional video showcasing two original characters integral to its storyline. The film is set to open in Japan on October 31, 2025.
New Trailer Unveils “Ōji” and “???”
A recently unveiled teaser trailer and visual for Eiga Sumikko Gurashi: Sora no Ōkoku to Futari no Ko introduces “Ōji” (Prince) and another character currently known only as “???”. These new characters play a central role as the Sumikko Gurashi embark on an adventure in the Sky Kingdom. The narrative sees the Sumikkos aiding the Sky Kingdom, which is facing a severe water shortage after a period of heavy rain in their own town.
The clip, released on the franchise’s official X/Twitter account, features the Sumikko characters playing “sacred flowers” to create a melody, conducted by a penguin-looking creature. This musical segment is followed by a trailer that previews the film’s theme song, “Kimi no Kasa” (Your Umbrella), performed by Kaela Kimura.
Production Details and Returning Staff
The fourth Sumikko Gurashi film is produced by Fanworks, the studio behind the previous installments and TV anime series. Naomi Iwata, known for her work on Pingu in the City and Obake Zukan, is directing the film. Takashi Sumita, who penned the scripts for the first and third films, returns as the scriptwriter, ensuring narrative continuity. Kaori Hino also reprises her role as art director, having contributed to the first and third films.
Yoshihiko Inohara and Manami Honjō will once again lend their voices as narrators for the film, a role they have held in previous installments. Asmik Ace, Inc. is handling the distribution of the film.
The Endearing World of Sumikko Gurashi
The Sumikko Gurashi franchise, created by San-X, debuted in 2012. The characters are beloved for their slightly negative and shy personalities, preferring to stay in corners. The main cast includes Shirokuma (a polar bear sensitive to cold), Penguin? (a penguin unsure of its identity), Tonkatsu (a leftover pork cutlet), Neko (a shy cat), and Tokage (who hides his true nature as one of the last dinosaurs).
The film series has garnered significant popularity, with the first three films attracting a cumulative audience of over three million. The first film, Sumikko Gurashi the Movie: The Pop-up Picture Book and the Secret Child, was released in 2019, followed by The Magical Child of a Blue Moonlit Night in 2021, and The Mysterious Child of the Patchwork Factory in 2023. The fourth film is highly anticipated to continue the charming adventures of these unique characters.
