A new teaser for Yoshitoshi Shinomiya’s highly anticipated anime feature film, “A New Dawn,” also known by its Japanese title “Hana Rokushō ga Akeru Hi ni” (On the Day the Emerald Fireworks Light Up), was unveiled in January 2025, offering a glimpse into its captivating world. While early reports indicated a 2025 release, the film’s Japanese theatrical debut has since been postponed to 2026. Current information does not indicate a specific March 6 opening for this particular anime film.
“A New Dawn” Anime Film: Teaser Highlights and 2026 Release
The teaser for “A New Dawn” provided fans with their first detailed look at the film’s animation and central characters. Released alongside a key visual in January 2025, the trailer generated significant buzz for Shinomiya’s directorial debut in feature films. Originally slated for a 2025 premiere, the official announcement confirmed a delay, with the film now expected to hit Japanese theaters in 2026. This Franco-Japanese co-production involves ASMIK Ace and French studio Miyu Productions.
The Vision of Director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya
Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, an acclaimed artist recognized for his background illustrations in Makoto Shinkai’s renowned films like “The Garden of Words” and “Your Name.,” is at the helm of “A New Dawn”. Beyond directing, Shinomiya is also credited with conceiving the original story and writing the screenplay, making this a deeply personal project. His extensive experience in creating evocative visual landscapes for major anime productions sets high expectations for the aesthetic quality of “A New Dawn”. The film was featured in an animation showcase at the Annecy International Film Festival’s “Animation Day” in May 2024, where Shinomiya introduced the work.
Plot and Themes: A Fireworks Factory’s Legacy
“A New Dawn” centers on a 330-year-old fireworks factory facing imminent eviction. The narrative explores the lives of young people connected to this historical site. The protagonist, Keitarō Tatewaki, has secluded himself in the factory for four years, dedicated to perfecting the legendary “Shuhari” firework in the absence of his missing father. His childhood friend, Kaoru Shikimori, who left her hometown of Tokyo after an incident, returns and reunites with Keitarō. Together, they embark on an unexpected journey to uncover the secret of the long-lost firework, a quest tied to the “Hana Rokushō” (Paris Green pigment) that was historically used in fireworks and is a key element in the story. The film is described as a story about three young people overcoming extreme weather, disasters, and environmental challenges to establish their identities.
Key Cast and Production Team
The film features Riku Hagiwara as Keitarō Tatewaki and Kotone Furukawa as Kaoru Shikimori, both making their voice acting debuts in an anime feature. Miyu Irino and Takashi Okabe were also announced as new cast members in March 2025, voicing Sentarō Tatewaki, Keitarō’s older brother, and Eitaro Tatewaki, Keitarō’s missing father, respectively.
The production team includes Utsushita (known for “Heavenly Delusion”) as character designer, Akiko Majima (co-art director for “Your Name.” and artist for “Suzume”) serving as art director, and Shūta Hasunuma composing the music.
Clarification on March 6 Opening
While “A New Dawn Film” released a teaser in early 2025 and is highly anticipated, current information from official sources consistently states its Japanese theatrical release is scheduled for 2026, without a specific March 6 date attached. It is important to note that another animated feature, Pixar’s “Hoppers,” is slated for a March 6, 2026, release in the United States, and a teaser for this film was shown in June 2025. This indicates that the “March 6 opening” mentioned may refer to a different film entirely.
