<"A cheering song for those who are no one yet, but want to become someone">
Five years after its 2021 release, a one-week limited revival screening is underway from May 29 to June 4, 2026 at theaters in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. On May 31, a screening with a stage greeting was held at Shinjuku Piccadilly Screen 1, where the three guests beamed before a packed house.
<Seeing her rookie self in Natalie's struggles>
Asked about her memories from production, Kohara revealed that she had recorded as many as seven different takes of Pompo at the audition. She confessed she "thought I'd failed," feeling little sense of success — but Hirao and Matsuo revealed they had had their eye on her from the tape-audition stage, explaining that having promising actors record many patterns is the director's audition style. Kohara smiled and said, "I'm relieved, five or six years later (laughs)."
Asked about the film's appeal, Kohara passionately argued that even though "the behind-the-scenes of filmmaking" is a difficult subject to convey, it contains elements anyone who works can relate to. Touching on the strong response within the industry, she joked, "There are still people who won't call me 'Kohara-san.' So many people greet me with 'Good morning, Pompo-san' (laughs)."
On memorable scenes, Hirao cited the conversation between Gene and Petersen in the film room, calling it "a difficult scene that must be drawn convincingly without being preachy." Matsuo picked the mud-dumpling scene in the in-film movie "MEISTER," recalling the pressure of making its recreation convincing: "Would a work praised as a masterpiece within the story really be seen that way?"
Kohara overlapped her rookie self with Natalie. Back when she had been cast in a major role but was nearly crushed by anxiety on set, the director told her, "No, I chose you. Don't overthink it — just do it the way you do." Deeply encouraged by that real experience, she stressed how deeply she empathized with the scene.
Hirao spoke of the "steep road to being chosen," noting that for creators, "being found and chosen by someone is the hardest thing." Of depicting the ray of hope of Pompo discovering Gene in this work, he said, "I'd be happy if it has become a cheering song for those who are suffering now, or who are no one yet but want to become someone."
<New project "WASTED CHEF," sure to resonate with Pompo fans>
The Pompo production team, led by Hirao, is currently developing its first original theatrical animation project, "WASTED CHEF." When the teaser appeared on screen, the director introduced it: "With cooking and sci-fi as its motifs and the words 'value and restorare' as keywords, it's a story that unfolds across two worlds." He added with confidence, "Following Pompo, we're making it to be an entertainment film that can cheer someone on." Kohara narrated the teaser, and her continued involvement after Pompo drew big applause from the audience.
"WASTED CHEF" teaser: https://youtu.be/Ux7GbCnS76o
In closing remarks, Matsuo urged fans to attend the revival screenings — "It's a work we still want you to see in theaters" — and declared of the new project, "It will surely resonate with Pompo fans." Hirao too expressed his gratitude: "So many people came to see it today — and for a film that's already five years old. That truly makes me happy."
Kohara added, "This year marks 10 years since I started voice acting, but I met Pompo when I was still quite new as an actor. In a way, Gene and Natalie raised me alongside Pompo." Revealing that she still rewatches the film often, she heightened anticipation for the team's new work — "It's super interesting!" — bringing the warm stage greeting to a close.
<5th Anniversary Revival Screening>
"Pompo is back!" Revival Screening
Period: Friday, May 29 - Thursday, June 4, 2026
Theaters: Shinjuku Piccadilly / Midland Square Cinema / Namba Parks Cinema
Attendee gifts: a 5th-anniversary illustration card newly drawn by original creator Shogo Sugitani [Ningen Plamo], and a "WASTED CHEF" visual card (limited quantities per theater)
<Memory Posting Campaign>
A campaign running from Monday, April 27 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, invites fans to post memories, impressions and favorite scenes on X with the hashtag #Pompo5thAnniversary for a chance to win luxury prizes.
5th anniversary special page: https://pompo-the-cinephile.com/5thAnniversary.html
The Cinephile" Blu-ray on Amazon
<Work Information>
Original Work: Shogo Sugitani [Ningen Plamo] (Production Good Book), "Pompo: The Cinephile" (MFC gene pixiv series / published by KADOKAWA)
Director & Screenplay: Takayuki Hirao / Character Design: Shingo Adachi / Music: Kenta Matsukuma / Production Producer: Ryoichiro Matsuo / Production: CLAP / Distribution: KADOKAWA ANIMATION / Production: Pompo: The Cinephile Production Committee
Cast: Gene Fini = Hiroya Shimizu / Joelle Davidovich Pomponette = Konomi Kohara / Natalie Woodward = Rinka Otani / Mystia = Ai Kakuma / Martin Braddock = Akio Otsuka / Alan Gardner = Ryuichi Kijima
[Coverage & Photography: MoA]
(C)2021 Shogo Sugitani [Ningen Plamo]/KADOKAWA/"Pompo: The Cinephile" Production Committee
