Anisongs
The film received its world premiere in the Directors Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival and was subsequently selected for the Feature Films Competition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, drawing international attention well ahead of its release. Kohei Kadowaki is credited as planner, screenwriter and director, with Ryuta Bando and Amane Okayama sharing the lead voice roles.
Theme Song: Sasakure by adieu (Moka Kamishiraishi), Written and Composed by Yaffle
The theme song is performed by adieu, known for a translucent voice with a deep lingering resonance. The acting range Moka Kamishiraishi brings to film, television and stage work overlaps with the delicate musical world she builds under the adieu name, casting the emotions of the film in a richer light.
Sasakure was written and composed by Yaffle (Sony Music Labels), who also scores the film.
Comment from adieu
I was so strongly shaken by this film that after watching it I sat in a daze for quite a while.
Being asked to perform the theme song for a feature-length animated film for the first time as adieu filled me with joy.
It has become a precious song that I poured everything into so it could stay close to this work, and I hope you will enjoy it together with the film itself.
New Cast: Ten Yamasaki (Sakurazaka46) and Kemuri Matsui
Konatsu, the classmate who lives closest to Tsubasa and exchanges homework notebooks with him whenever either of them is out sick, is voiced by Ten Yamasaki, vice-captain of Sakurazaka46 and an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ViVi. This is her first voice acting role.
Ten Yamasaki as Konatsu
I was nervous at first, but the time I spent facing this work was hugely stimulating and I learned a great deal.
Batahara, Tsubasa's friend who builds a secret base on the rooftop floor and spends his time there alone, and who is a quiet fan of Akotaro, is voiced by Kemuri Matsui, one half of Reiwa Roman and a winner of the M-1 Grand Prix.
Kemuri Matsui as Batahara
It is a genuine honour to take part in a work as wonderful as this. I focused on performing in a way that conveys the full appeal of a character like Batahara.
Saki Suzuki voices Konatsu as a child, and the young Batahara is also voiced by a separate cast member.
Comment from Manga Artist Tatsuki Fujimoto
Tatsuki Fujimoto, Manga Artist
I have been envious of We are Aliens ever since I was shown it at a preview screening.
Before you look into the details of the story or run into spoilers, please go and see it first thing in the morning.
I absolutely, hugely loved this film. I am definitely going to see it many more times.
Story
Beep-beep-boop-boop. Top secret mission on Earth complete. Returning to space.
In a rural town during the Heisei era, Tsubasa, a withdrawn boy troubled by being ordinary, meets Akotaro, the popular classmate who seems special, in the spring of their third year of elementary school, and the two become best friends. Their private games, aimless conversations and walks home at dusk make the world feel like it belongs to them alone.
One day, however, Akotaro becomes an outsider in class as rumours and stares close in around him, and an irreversible incident follows.
What if I were an alien?
Is this a story of their youth, or a memory they want to erase? A film about a friendship spanning thirty years, and a departure as blue as it gets.
Production Information
Title: We are Aliens
Release: Friday, September 25, 2026, in theatres across Japan
Planning, Screenplay and Direction: Kohei Kadowaki
Cast: Ryuta Bando, Amane Okayama (dual leads) / Ten Yamasaki (Sakurazaka46), Kemuri Matsui, Saki Suzuki, and supporting cast
Music: Yaffle
Theme Song: adieu, Sasakure (written and composed by Yaffle / Sony Music Labels)
Planning and Production: NOTHING NEW
In cooperation with: MIYU PRODUCTIONS
Distribution: TOHO NEXT and NOTHING NEW
Official site: https://nothingnew.film/wearealiens/
(C) NOTHING NEW, MIYU PRODUCTIONS