A Highly Anticipated Return to the Big Screen
The beloved Sgt. Frog (Keroro Gunsō) anime franchise is set to make its long-awaited return to cinemas with an all-new feature film, scheduled to premiere in Japan in Summer 2026. This marks a significant event for fans, as it will be the franchise’s first theatrical release in 16 years, with the last film having debuted in 2010. The upcoming movie is part of a special project commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Sgt. Frog anime, which originally began its broadcast in 2004.
Creative Team and Returning Voices
The new Sgt. Frog film boasts a notable creative team behind its production. Yuichi Fukuda, known for his work on live-action adaptations such as Gintama and Saint Young Men, is serving as both the chief director and scriptwriter for the movie. Fumitoshi Oizaki, who has been involved with Sgt. Frog as a character designer since 2004, will direct the anime. Satoshi Koike is credited with character designs. Animation production is being handled by BN Pictures.
Fans will be pleased to know that members of the original voice cast are reprising their iconic roles. Kumiko Watanabe will once again lend her voice to Sergeant Keroro, and Hoko Kuwashima will return as Fuyuki Hinata.
Promotional Efforts and New Theme Song
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations and film promotion, popular singer and media personality ano has been appointed as the official campaign ambassador. She will perform a new version of the anime’s iconic theme song, “Kero! to March,” titled “Mata Kaettekita Kero! to March” (“We’re Back Again, Kero! March”), alongside comedian Soshina. This new rendition of the theme song is featured in the recently unveiled teaser trailer for the film.
The announcement of the new Sgt. Frog anime project was initially made on April 1, 2024, accompanied by a 20th-anniversary video. A special radio program, “Keroro Gunso no Kero! to Radio,” featuring voice actors Kumiko Watanabe and Etsuko Kozakura, along with ano, was also scheduled to discuss the upcoming film.
Franchise Legacy
The Sgt. Frog series is based on Mine Yoshizaki’s manga, which began serialization in Kadokawa’s Monthly Shonen Ace magazine in 1999. The original anime adaptation, produced by Sunrise (now a brand under BN Pictures), aired for 358 episodes from April 2004 to April 2011, spanning multiple seasons. The franchise has also spawned five previous theatrical films. The story centers on a group of frog-like alien invaders and their often-humorous, yet frequently bungled, attempts to conquer Earth. After Sgt. Keroro’s cover was blown and he lost contact with his homeworld and platoon, he found himself residing with the Hinata family, where he secretly devises new plans for world domination while performing household chores.
