Fans of the beloved slice-of-life series Is the Order a Rabbit? (Gochūmon wa Usagi desu ka?), affectionately known as GochiUsa, received exciting news today: the previously announced new anime project for the franchise will be a feature-length theatrical film. This confirmation comes after a decade of “healing” coffee shop vibes and anticipation for the next installment in the heartwarming series.
The announcement was made public, specifying that Bibury Animation Studios will lead the movie’s production. Hiroyuki Hashimoto, who has directed all three TV seasons and previous films like Is the Order a Rabbit?? ~Dear My Sister~, will serve as chief director, ensuring continuity with the established world.
A Decade of Coffee and Cuteness Leads to the Big Screen
The Is the Order a Rabbit? franchise originated from Koi’s four-panel manga, which began serialization in Houbunsha’s Manga Time Kirara Max in 2011. The series quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase for its charming characters, gentle humor, and cozy setting within the Rabbit House café.
Franchise History and Previous Adaptations
The journey to the big screen has been a significant one for GochiUsa:
- TV Anime Series: The first season aired in Japan from April to June 2014, animated by White Fox. The second season, Is the Order a Rabbit??, followed in October 2015, co-produced by White Fox and Kinema Citrus. The third season, Is the Order a Rabbit? BLOOM, debuted in October 2020 with Encourage Films at the helm.
- OVAs and Special Episodes: The franchise has also seen two OVA films, Is the Order a Rabbit?? ~Dear My Sister~ (2017) and Is the Order a Rabbit?? ~Sing For You~ (2019), both animated by production doA. These projects expanded on the characters’ stories and offered fans more content between seasons.
The new feature-length film signifies a substantial step for the franchise, allowing for a more expansive narrative and cinematic presentation, similar to other Manga Time Kirara alumni that have transitioned to the big screen.
Key Staff and Returning Cast for the New Film
The creative team behind the GochiUsa film aims to maintain the series’ beloved aesthetic and storytelling while elevating the visuals to theatrical standards.
Directorial and Animation Leadership
Hiroyuki Hashimoto’s return as chief director provides a strong sense of familiarity and ensures the film remains true to the series’ roots. Tensho, who previously worked as a storyboarder and unit director for Is the Order a Rabbit??, will direct the film at Bibury Animation Studios. Munenori Nawa is confirmed as the assistant director, and Akane Yano, known for her work on The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, is designing the characters, having also created the first teaser visual.
Beloved Voice Cast Reprises Roles
A key aspect of the GochiUsa experience is its charming cast of characters, brought to life by a talented ensemble of voice actors. Fans will be pleased to know that the core cast is confirmed to return for the feature film. This includes:
- Ayane Sakura as Cocoa Hoto
- Inori Minase as Chino Kafu
- Risa Taneda as Rize Tedeza
- Satomi Satō as Chiya Ujimatsu
- Maaya Uchida as Sharo Kirima
- Sora Tokui as Maya Jouga
- Rie Murakawa as Megumi Natsu
The continuity in both staff and cast signals a commitment to preserving the “healing café” heart of the series while pushing the production quality for a cinematic release.
What to Expect from the ‘GochiUsa’ Feature Film
While specific story details for the new film are still under wraps, the teaser visual, featuring Cocoa and Chino, suggests that these two characters will remain central to the narrative. The shift to a feature-length format offers an opportunity for longer emotional arcs and expanded set-pieces within the familiar European-style town setting.
The film promises to deliver the same warmth, charm, and feel-good storytelling that has made the anime a beloved comfort series for many. As of reporting, a release date for the film has yet to be confirmed. However, the confirmation of a feature-length film marks an exciting new chapter for the Is the Order a Rabbit? franchise, inviting fans to anticipate a grander, more immersive experience with their favorite café inhabitants.
