Crunchyroll has secured the worldwide theatrical rights, excluding Asia, for the upcoming anime film Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved. The film, animated by Kyoto Animation and based on the manga by Coolkyousinnjya, is set to premiere in Japan on June 27, 2025, and will be released in North America with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
A Dragon’s Dilemma: What to Expect
Picking up directly after the events of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S (Season 2), the film centers on Kanna Kamui, the young dragon, as she faces a difficult choice. Her father, Kamun Kamui, the leader of the Chaos Forces, arrives and demands she return to the Dragon World to rectify a past mistake.
Torn between her loyalty to her human friends and her father’s wishes, Kanna must find a way to unite the worlds of Chaos and Harmony, which are on the brink of war. Miss Kobayashi, unwilling to let Kanna go, steps in to mend the broken bond between Kanna and her father. As the dragons clash, Iruru discovers a hidden force manipulating the conflict. The central question becomes: Can they stop the war before it consumes both worlds?
Production Details
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved is directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, with an original story by Coolkyousinnjya. Kyoto Animation is responsible for the animation production. The film’s script is by Yuka Yamada, and Miku Kadowaki provides the character designs and serves as chief animation director. The late Yasuhiro Takemoto, who directed the first season, is credited as the series director.
Cast
The cast includes:
- Mutsumi Tamura as Miss Kobayashi
- Yūki Kuwahara as Tohru
- Maria Naganawa as Kanna
- Yūki Takada as Elma
- Minami Takahashi as Lucoa
- Daisuke Ono as Fafnir
- Yūichi Nakamura as Makoto Takiya
- Emiri Katō as Riko Saikawa
- Kaori Ishihara as Shōta Magatsuchi
- Fumihiko Tachiki as Kimun Kamui
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Azad
- Shiori Sugiura as Ilulu (replacing Tomomi Mineuchi)
Legendary enka singer Sachiko Kobayashi joins the cast as Felicitas, a dragon in Kimun Kamui’s army.
Music
The film features:
- Opening theme song: “Namida no Parade” (Parade of Tears) by fhána
- Ending theme song: “Bokutachi no Hibi” (“Days of Us”) by Sachiko Kobayashi
- Insert song: “Negaigoto” (Wish) by kotringo
What is Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid About?
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid revolves around Kobayashi, an ordinary office worker whose life takes an extraordinary turn when she encounters a dragon named Tohru. One drunken night in the mountains, Kobayashi stumbles upon Tohru, who claims to have come from another world. After removing a holy sword from Tohru’s back, Kobayashi earns the dragon’s gratitude.
Tohru transforms into a humanoid girl in a maid outfit and becomes Kobayashi’s live-in maid. As they live together, Kobayashi’s mundane life is filled with quirky comedy and emotional moments. Other dragons, each with unique personalities and abilities, join their household, creating a chaotic and heartwarming family dynamic.
The Main Characters
- Kobayashi: A programmer who lives a solitary life until she meets Tohru. She is initially reserved but gradually opens up to the dragons and forms strong bonds with them.
- Tohru: A dragon from another world who becomes Kobayashi’s maid. She is fiercely loyal and deeply in love with Kobayashi, often expressing her affection through awkward and humorous attempts to please her.
- Kanna Kamui: A young dragon who is exiled from her world and comes to live with Kobayashi and Tohru. She is quiet, observant, and incredibly adorable, quickly becoming a beloved member of their unconventional family.
- Elma: A dragon from the Harmony Faction who initially opposes Tohru. She has a love for human food and culture and eventually integrates into Kobayashi’s household.
- Lucoa: An ancient and powerful dragon who is also Quetzalcoatl, a Mesoamerican deity. She is laid-back and enjoys teasing others, often causing mischief with her immense power.
- Fafnir: A reclusive dragon who enjoys playing video games and is fascinated by human technology. He is initially wary of humans but forms a close friendship with Takiya, Kobayashi’s coworker.
- Ilulu: A dragon from the Chaos Faction who initially targets Tohru. After Kobayashi and Tohru save her, she has a change of heart and joins their household.
Anime and Manga
The Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid manga series, written and illustrated by Coolkyousinnjya, began in May 2013 in the inaugural issue of Monthly Action magazine. It later moved to Manga Action in February 2024. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the English version of the manga.
Kyoto Animation adapted the manga into an anime television series, which aired in Japan from January to April 2017. A second season, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, aired between July and September 2021. Crunchyroll streamed both seasons as they aired in Japan, and Funimation streamed an English dub.
Reception
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid has been praised for its:
- Charming and Heartwarming Story: The series blends comedy with touching moments, creating a comforting and engaging viewing experience.
- Well-Developed Characters: The dragons have distinct personalities and develop meaningful relationships with each other and the human characters.
- High-Quality Animation: Kyoto Animation’s signature style brings the characters and world to life with vibrant colors and fluid movements.
- Humor: The series balances quirky and over-the-top comedy with more subtle and character-driven humor.
- Emotional Depth: Despite its comedic nature, the series explores themes of family, acceptance, and understanding.
Some critics have noted that the series occasionally delves into uncomfortable territory with its fan service elements, but overall, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is considered a well-rounded and entertaining anime.
Where to Watch
Both seasons of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid are currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll. Select seasons are also available on Hulu.
Final Thoughts
With its engaging story, lovable characters, and stunning animation, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved promises to be a must-see film for fans of the series and newcomers alike. The film is set to open in 199 theaters across Japan on June 27, 2025, with immersive 4DX and MX4D screenings also planned. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this heartwarming tale on the big screen!
