North American distributor GKIDS has released a new English-dubbed trailer for cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood, providing a fresh look at the poignant wartime drama. The film, which adapts Machiko Kyō’s acclaimed manga, is scheduled to hit theaters across North America on September 4, with screenings available in both the original Japanese audio with subtitles and the newly produced English dub.
Directed by Yukimitsu Ina, known for his work on Tatami Time Machine Blues, the film features a score by renowned composer kensuke ushio, whose credits include A Silent Voice and Chainsaw Man. The production was helmed by animation producer Hitomi Tateno, a veteran of Studio Ghibli, at Studio Sasayuri. The voice cast is led by Hikari Mitsushima as Mayu and Marika Itō as San.
Set against the backdrop of a tropical island during wartime, the story follows two best friends whose lives are upended when they are drafted into the war effort to care for the wounded. The narrative captures the harrowing loss of innocence as the conflict escalates around them. Following its debut on Japanese television in 2025, the film has seen a successful festival run, including a North American premiere at JAPAN CUTS and a Canadian screening at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
This project continues the legacy of Kyō’s work in animation; her previous manga Mitsuami no Kami-sama was adapted into the award-winning short film Pigtails by Production I.G. With the arrival of this feature-length adaptation, audiences can finally experience this somber exploration of history on the big screen.
