Aniplex has released a new teaser video and key visual for “Rakuen Tsuihō -Expelled from Paradise- Kokoro no Resonance” (Heart’s Resonance), the highly anticipated sequel to the 2014 anime film Expelled from Paradise. The new feature-length anime film is officially slated for a 2026 debut.
Returning to the World of Expelled from Paradise
The original Expelled from Paradise (楽園追放, Rakuen Tsuihō) was a Japanese anime science fiction film released in 2014. It was directed by Seiji Mizushima and featured a screenplay written by Gen Urobuchi. The film was produced by Toei Animation and animated by Graphinica. It garnered critical acclaim, winning the Best Animation of the Year Award at the 24th Japan Movie Critics Awards in May 2015.
The film introduced audiences to Angela Balzac, an agent in the space station DEVA, where inhabitants exist as digitized minds in a virtual reality. Her mission involved tracking down a hacker known as “Frontier Setter” who had been infiltrating DEVA’s systems.
Key Staff Reunite for “Kokoro no Resonance”
Fans will be pleased to know that the core creative team behind the original film is returning for Kokuen Tsuihō -Expelled from Paradise- Kokoro no Resonance.
- Director: Seiji Mizushima, known for his work on the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime and Gundam 00, is once again at the helm.
- Screenplay: Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, celebrated for his writing in Fate/Zero and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, is penning the script.
- Character Design: Masatsugu Saitou is once again providing the character designs.
- Music: NARASAKI is composing the score for the sequel.
- Mechanical Designs: Kanetake Ebikawa, Junya Ishigaki, and Takayuki Yanase are contributing to the mechanical designs.
While the staff has been confirmed, the voice cast for the new film has not yet been revealed.
Anticipation Builds for 2026 Release
The sequel, “Rakuen Tsuihō: Kokoro no Resonance,” is officially set to premiere in 2026. The announcement of the new teaser video and key visual has intensified excitement for the film, which promises to expand upon the compelling science fiction world established in the original. The initial film was released in Japan in November 2014 and saw a limited theatrical release in the United States in December 2014. Its Blu-ray and DVD release in Japan sold over 70,000 copies.
The ongoing tenth-year anniversary celebrations for the original Expelled from Paradise, including a 4K re-release in Japanese theaters, further highlight the enduring popularity and anticipation for this sequel.
