As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion in September 1945, two new anime projects are set to debut, offering poignant reflections on this pivotal historical moment and the enduring human stories within it. Check out the World War II’s 80th Anniversary anime Adaptation below.
World War II’s 80th Anniversary anime Adaptation
One of these anticipated releases is “Cocoon: From the Girls of One Summer,” an adaptation of Machiko Kyo’s acclaimed World War II manga. Following an early Japanese broadcast in March, the regular series is slated for an August premiere. Directed by Yukimitsu Ina, with a score by Kensuke Ushio, the anime boasts an impressive production team.
Notably, veteran Studio Ghibli animator Hitomi Tateno, known for her work on “My Neighbor Totoro” and “When Marnie Was There,” serves as animation producer. While Studio Sasayuri was initially listed for animation production, this credit has since been removed. The lead roles feature Hikari Mitsushima as Mayu and Marika Ito as San. “Cocoon,” originally serialized from 2009 to 2010, was recognized by the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival’s Manga Division Jury Selections for its powerful portrayal of young girls amidst the horrors of war.
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The second project, “Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise,” is an anime film scheduled to premiere in Japan on December 5, 2025. This cinematic endeavor is a joint animation production by Shin-ei Animation and Fugaku. The film draws its narrative from Kazuyoshi Takeda’s manga of the same name, which ran from 2016 to 2021. A spin-off series, “Peleliu Gaiden,” began in 2021 and is set to conclude in July of this year.
“Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” delves into the harrowing real-life Battle of Peleliu, focusing on the struggles and resilience of young Japanese soldiers. The story highlights the grim reality where only 34 out of approximately 10,000 troops survived, serving as an extraordinary testament to endurance. The film aims to explore themes of hope and humanity in the face of devastating conflict. Goro Kuji directs the film, with original manga creator Kazuyoshi Takeda co-writing the screenplay alongside Junji Nishimura.
These two anime productions promise to offer compelling and sensitive portrayals of World War II, ensuring that the human experiences and lessons from this significant period are remembered for generations to come.
- © Kazuyoshi Takeda / Hakusensha
- © Machiko Kyo (AKITASHOTEN) / NHK NEP
