In The Ribbon Hero, Netflix spins a new adventure out of Osamu Tezuka’s classic Princess Knight. The film follows Sapphire after a catastrophe called Nergal wipes out her homeland of Silverland. Forced into hiding in neighboring Goldland, she discovers a magical ribbon that unlocks extraordinary powers and turns her into the Ribbon Hero.
- Director — Yuki Igarashi (Jujutsu Kaisen, Star Wars: Visions); feature-length directorial debut
- Studio — OUTLINE
- Character design — Kei Mochizuki
- Creative contributions — Mai Yoneyama
- Art direction — Cédric Hérole
Rather than a straight remake, the movie takes the world and themes of Tezuka’s story and builds a fresh plot around Sapphire’s resilience and identity, with fantasy action built around that enchanted ribbon.
Tezuka’s legacy
Often called the “Godfather of Manga,” Osamu Tezuka helped define modern manga and anime with Astro Boy and Black Jack, and he broke ground for girls’ comics with Princess Knight, first published in 1953. This is the first major new animated project inspired by Princess Knight in decades, putting Sapphire back in the spotlight for a new generation.
Early buzz
Netflix included the film in its anime slate at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where its vivid look drew attention. Trailers and key art have been circulating online, with fans praising the bold colors and modern spin on a landmark property.
Premieres worldwide on Netflix August 8.
The Ribbon Hero begins streaming on Netflix on August 8.