The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled an exciting slate of animated features, with the highly anticipated Japanese premiere of the “Angel’s Egg 4K Remaster” headlining the selection. Running from October 27 to November 5, 2025, the festival promises a diverse cinematic experience for animation enthusiasts.
Alongside the visually restored cult classic, TIFF will also host the Asian premiere of Shōji Kawamori’s “Labyrinth,” the musical anime film “The Obsessed,” and the international premiere of the multinational omnibus “Edge of Time.”
Angel’s Egg 4K Remaster Makes Japanese Debut
Mamoru Oshii and Yoshitaka Amano’s enigmatic 1985 original video animation (OVA), “Angel’s Egg” (Tenshi no Tamago), will receive its Japanese premiere in a stunning 4K remastered version at TIFF. This restoration marks the film’s 40th anniversary and has already garnered international attention with its world premiere at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival’s Cinéma de la Plage on May 20, 2025.
The 4K remaster, supervised by director Mamoru Oshii himself, involved a new scan of the original 35mm film negative. Furthermore, the original mono audio has been meticulously reconstructed into 5.1-channel surround and Dolby Atmos formats, enhancing the film’s already captivating and haunting atmosphere. Following its TIFF screening, the 4K remaster is set for a Japanese theatrical debut in Dolby Cinemas on November 14, 2025, with a wider release across the nation on November 21.
Diverse Animation Highlights at TIFF 2025
The Tokyo International Film Festival’s animation category is set to offer a rich tapestry of storytelling and visual styles:
“Labyrinth”: Shōji Kawamori’s New Original Feature
Director Shōji Kawamori, renowned for his work on franchises like “Macross,” presents his first feature-length animated film not based on an existing property, “Labyrinth” (Meikyū no Shiori). TIFF will host the Asian premiere of this original animation, which centers on high school girl Shiori Maezawa as she navigates a deserted parallel version of Yokohama after her smartphone breaks.
“The Obsessed”: A Musical Anime Adaptation
Also joining the lineup is “The Obsessed” (Toritsukare Otoko), a musical anime film adaptation of Shinji Ishii’s novel. The inclusion of this work highlights the festival’s commitment to showcasing varied storytelling formats within the animation sphere.
“Edge of Time”: An International Collaboration
The festival will also feature the international premiere of “Edge of Time,” a multinational omnibus film. This selection underscores TIFF’s role as a platform for global cinematic exchange and collaboration.
The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival: Broader Context
Beyond the animation section, the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival, running from October 27 to November 5, 2025, is set to be a significant event in the global film calendar. The festival will open with Junji Sakamoto’s “Climbing for Life” and close with Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao’s latest film, “Hamnet.” Both Chloé Zhao and Lee Sang-il are slated to receive the prestigious Kurosawa Akira Award, celebrating their contributions to cinema. The festival’s industry-focused market, TIFFCOM 2025, will also take place from October 29 to October 31, connecting content creators with international buyers.
