Sci-Fi Anime Film AS ONE Releases in Japan Summer 2025

A new sci-fi anime feature film AS ONE was announced today, set to release in Japan in summer 2025. The film's official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened, revealing early concept art and two image board visuals. The film is based on Square Enix's arcade game Starwing Paradox, which originally released in Japan in November 2018.

A new sci-fi anime feature film AS ONE was announced today, set to release in Japan in summer 2025. The film’s official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened, revealing early concept art and two image board visuals. The film is based on Square Enix’s arcade game Starwing Paradox, which originally released in Japan in November 2018. It will serve as a prequel to the game’s story, taking place 20 years before the game.

Kobun Shizuno, known for his directorial works for the Case Closed/Detective Conan film series, serves as the director. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, of Neon Genesis Evangelion and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time fame, works on character designs. The characters will be totally renewed from the game.

Sci-Fi Anime Film AS ONE Releases in Japan Summer 2025 — Image board visuals

“This film is a prequel leading up to the epic story of the original game, which tells a story that will deeply immerse not only the fans who went wild at the arcade, but also those who are completely unfamiliar with the original,” said Shizuno. “The story centers on the melody played by the protagonist (Yoh). When his voice transcends time and space to reach Meguriboshi (another planet far away from Earth), many mysteries that were not told in the original story are revealed. The secret of Rearide, the untold story of the birth of Aerial and the profound relationship between Meguriboshi and the Earth… Generations who came into contact with the original game at the arcade will be moved by the coexistence of nostalgia and new discoveries, and those who are unfamiliar with the original will presage the beginning of an epic story. We hope you will surrender yourself to the music played by the main characters and experience an epic story that transcends time and space at the theater!”

“It has been a long time since I have participated in a theatrical feature film,” added Sadamoto. “With a director I am working with for the first time and many new challenges, I believe this will be an exciting film in every aspect. I hope you will all look forward to it with great anticipation.”