We Are Aliens first Japanese trailer

GeekTyrant reported on August 6 that the first official Japanese trailer for “We Are Aliens” had been posted online, highlighting an animated feature it described as a story spanning 30 years. The outlet said the film comes from first-time feature director Kohei Kadowaki and follows two boys whose friendship is broken by a childhood incident before resurfacing decades later. Official film materials released in late July said the movie’s main trailer and key visual had already been unveiled in Japan on July 26. The film is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on September 25. ### So what is actually in this trailer? The official synopsis says “We Are Aliens” begins in a rural Heisei-era town, where a shy third-grader named Tsubasa meets Akitaro, a popular classmate described as “special.” The two become close friends, but the relationship is later damaged by rumors, social pressure and what the film’s materials call an “irreversible incident.” (geektyrant.com) GeekTyrant said the trailer presents the film as “a deeply emotional drama about friendship, regret, and the moments that shape a lifetime,” rather than a science-fiction story suggested by the title. The site also said the narrative follows the pair into adulthood, when memories of the past force them to confront wounds carried for years. (animationmagazine.net) ### Why are people calling it a 30-year story? Crunchyroll reported on July 26 that the story is described by the film’s official materials as one in which “two best friends from elementary school drift apart, only to reunite decades later as adults.” Animation Magazine, citing the trailer rollout, described it as “a friendship spanning 30 years.” (geektyrant.com) GeekTyrant quoted the official synopsis as saying the film spans “more than thirty years” and explores “the boys’ friendship and the distance that grows between them.” That framing is the clearest explanation for the trailer’s emphasis on both childhood scenes and adult reckoning. (crunchyroll.com) ### Who is behind “We Are Aliens”? Kohei Kadowaki is credited by Crunchyroll as the planner, screenwriter and director of the film. Animation Magazine described the project as Kadowaki’s feature directorial debut. The cast includes Ryota Bando as Tsubasa and Amane Okayama as Akitaro, according to Crunchyroll and Animation Magazine. (geektyrant.com) Additional voice appearances include Ten Yamasaki of Sakurazaka46 and comedian Kemuri Matsui, while Yaffle composed the music and wrote the theme song “Sasakure,” performed by adieu, the stage name of Moka Kamishiraishi. (crunchyroll.com) ### Is this a conventional anime release? Nothing New and Toho Next debuted the trailer, GeekTyrant reported, and the site said the film blends rotoscoped performances with expressive animation. Animation Magazine said the movie is produced by Nothing New in cooperation with France’s Miyu Productions, with Toho handling the Japanese release. (crunchyroll.com) The film has already played on the festival circuit. GeekTyrant said it premiered earlier in 2026 at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight section and screened at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Crunchyroll and Animation Magazine also reported those festival selections. (geektyrant.com) ### What happens next for the film? September 25 is the next concrete date for “We Are Aliens,” with the film set for theatrical release in Japan, according to Crunchyroll, Animation Magazine and GeekTyrant. GeekTyrant said there is still no U.S. release date. (geektyrant.com)