The highly anticipated anime film adaptation of Nowaki Fukamidori’s fantasy mystery novel, “Whoever Steals This Book” (Kono Hon o Nusumu Mono wa), officially premiered in Japan on December 26, 2025. The film has recently revealed its complete cast, a new trailer, and further production details, building excitement for its release.
Key Details of the Anime Film Adaptation
The anime film, produced by Studio Kagokan, brings to life the story of high school student Mifuyu Mikura, who, despite her family’s long history of book collecting and their famous Mikura Hall library, harbors a dislike for books. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a theft at the Mikura Hall triggers an ancient “book curse,” transforming her town into the settings of the stolen novels. To restore her town to normal, Mifuyu must embark on a perilous journey, entering these cursed stories with the help of a mysterious girl named Mashiro, to retrieve the stolen books and lift the curse.
Stellar Cast Brings Characters to Life
The film boasts a talented ensemble voice cast, with some members making their voice acting debuts alongside seasoned veterans. Rin Kataoka stars as the protagonist, Mifuyu Mikura, while Sora Tamaki lends her voice to the enigmatic Mashiro.
Additional key cast members include:
- Nao Tōyama as Hirune Mikura
- Junichi Suwabe as Ayumu Mikura
- Shizuka Itō as Keiko Yosano
- Shimba Tsuchiya as Takafumi Haruta
- Romi Park as Tamaki Mikura
- Shigeru Chiba as Junichirō Kaname
- Ryōta Suzuki as Tanbi Che
- Reina Ueda as Natsume Harada
- Tomokazu Seki as Osamu Kikuchida
- Rie Takahashi as Shiori Haruta
- Yō Taichi as Kakihara
- Makoto Koichi as Hiroda
- Yumiri Hanamori as Takayama
- Hitomi Ueda as Osanai
- Manaka Iwami as Uhara
- Jun Fukuyama as Mysterious Man
Further cast additions include Inori Minase as Mifuyu’s late mother, Kazune Mikura, Akio Ōtsuka as a coffeehouse owner, Shun Horie as “Tori no Negima,” and Masaya Matsukaze as a coffeehouse regular.
Creative Team Behind the Production
The film is directed by Daisei Fukuoka, known for his work on “Radiant” and “Phantom of the Idol.” The screenplay is penned by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, who has contributed to series such as “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” and “Shy.” Character designs and chief animation direction are handled by Keiko Kurosawa, recognized for her work on “Astra Lost in Space” and “Asobi Asobase.” Michiru Ōshima, celebrated for her compositions in “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Little Witch Academia,” is responsible for the film’s music. The animation production is led by Kagokan founder Yūji Higa, with Kadokawa Animation distributing the film. The film’s theme song, “Share,” is performed by Yuki.
Plot Overview: A Journey Through Cursed Stories
The narrative centers around Mifuyu Mikura, a high school student whose family boasts a rich legacy of book collecting. Her great-grandfather established the renowned Mikura Hall, a library that once charmed the town. Despite this literary heritage, Mifuyu herself lacks a passion for books. However, when a thief pilfers books from Mikura Hall, it unleashes an ancient curse that transmogrifies the town into the very stories contained within the stolen tomes. Mifuyu, accompanied by the enigmatic Mashiro, must then literally enter these diverse literary worlds—which range from an ancient epic to a hardboiled whodunit and a dystopian steampunk fantasy—to retrieve the stolen books and break the curse, saving her town from a magical fate. Each story within the film is animated with its own distinct visual style, enhancing the immersive experience.
