Hiroshi Sakurazakaʼs All You Need Is Kill, known for its groundbreaking time loop concept and powerful narrative of growth, played a pivotal role in the time loop sci-fi phenomenon. This iconic novel, which was later adapted into a global hit film, is now being reimagined as an anime. Produced by STUDIO 4℃, a trailblazer in the Japanese animation industry, the project draws on the studioʼs legacy of bold and original works like Tekkonkinkreet and Children of the Sea. With a perfectblend of traditional animation techniques and cutting-edge visual technology, STUDIO 4℃'s works has garnered acclaim at film festivals and from critics worldwide.The film is directed by Kenichiro Akimoto, a visionary creator renowned for his inventive animation techniques and sensitive portrayal of character emotions. He recreates the story through a fresh perspective, focusing on Ritaʼs inner journey as a warrior, delving into her loneliness, struggles, and personal growth.Trapped in a time loop after an alien invasion, the girl and boyʼs chance encounter will shape the fate of an endless battlefield. Get ready for a breathtaking action-fantasy sci-fi adventure!
Original Light Novel Author
Hiroshi SAKURAZAKA
“All You Need Is Kill” Shueisha
Hiroshi Sakurazaka debuted in 2003 with Modern Magic Made Simple, a revised and retitled version of Mahoutsukai no Net, which was a finalist for the 2nd Shueisha Super Dash Novel Newcomer Award. The following year, he released All You Need Is Kill, which became his breakthrough work and was nominated for the Seiun Award. And adopted into Hollywood movie “Edge of Tomorrow” by Tom Cruise. He won the 16th SF Magazine Readers' Award with his 2004 short story Saitama Chainsaw Girl and the 20th SF Magazine Readers' Award with his 2008 short story Night of the Holy Shit.
Director
Kenichiro AKIMOTO
For the theatrical film "Berserk: The Golden Age Arc" trilogy, he worked as the main staff member in a wide range of areas including CGI modeling, rigging, animation, expression development, and scene storyboarding. For the theatrical film "Thirst” he worked as CGI director, and 3DCG modeling chief for the film “harmony”. He also worked on the movie "Children of the Sea" as CGI director, where he achieved the ultimate in 3D animation and visual expression, and also produced the music video for the theme song "Spirits of the Sea" by Kenshi Yonezu. He demonstrated his versatile sensibility as art director for "Puppel in the Chimney Town," and was selected to direct his latest work, "Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko.”
STUDIO4℃
Founded in 1995, it has aggressively challenged various projects and has been highly evaluated by global market. Studio 4℃ has produced not only films but also series anime, short film, CM, music video and so on. Its unique anime style has attracted many fans.
Representative Works:
- Mind Game (2004)
- Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
- Children of the Sea (2019)
- Puppel in the Chimney Town (2020)
https://www.studio4c.co.jp/
Screenplay Yuichiro Kido
Character Design Izumi Murakami
Art Director Tomotaka Kubo
Co-director Yukinori Nakamura
Animation Director Tomonari Nakajima
Animation Director Hisato Tokumaru
CGI Director Supervisior Takanori Nakashima
Color Design Konoha Suzuki
Mechanical Design IZMOJUKI
Music Yasuhiro Maeda
Sound Design Kouji Kasamatsu
Science Fiction Researcher Yuya Takashima
Rita
An 18 year old young volunteer known for her recognizable red hair.
Rita has closed herself off emotionally, building walls between herself and others. One day, she was involved in an accident while working and lost consciousness—only to wake up to the morning of the same day...
Character Voice
Ai MIKAMI
Born on October 26, 2000. Her notable recent roles include:
- Undead Lovers (2024)
- Netflix series Romance Battle Royale (2024)
- NHK Taiga drama Dear Rediance (2024)
- My So-Called Artist’s Journey (2025)
- National Treasure (Kokuhō, to be released on June 6, 2025)
She is also set to star in the upcoming NHK morning drama series Kaze, Kaoru, scheduled to air in spring 2026.
Keiji
A shy 20-year-old who works as a systems engineer and volunteers alongside Rita. He usually hides behind a polite smile, trying to blend in and avoid standing out. But his unexpected encounter with Rita begins to awaken something long buried deep inside him.
Character Voice
Natsuki HANAE
Born on June 26, 1991. His notable recent roles include:
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Tanjiro Kamado
Dandadan – Okarun (Ken Takakura)
Tokyo Ghoul – Ken Kaneki
Your Lie in April – Kōsei Arima
Chainsaw Man – Beam
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Arc: Part 1 (to be released on July 18, 2025)
Shasta
A genius graduate student who is is thoroughly enjoying being immersed in Darol's research.
Character Voice
Kana HANAZAWA
Born on October 26, 2000. Her notable recent roles include:
- Undead Lovers (2024)
- Netflix series Romance Battle Royale (2024)
- NHK Taiga drama Dear Rediance (2024)
- My So-Called Artist’s Journey (2025)
- National Treasure (Kokuhō, to be released on June 6, 2025)
She is also set to star in the upcoming NHK morning drama series Kaze, Kaoru, scheduled to air in spring 2026.
Raychell
A volunteer worker in the same team as Rita.
She’s concerned that Rita tends to keep others at a distance.
Character Voice
Hiccorohee
Born on October 15, 1989, from Ehime, Japan.
She maded her debuted as a solo comedian in 2011. Her solo skit depicted by her unique world and character fascinated people, and her performance sold out every time.
In addition to her work in comedy, she is active across a wide range of media, including variety shows such as Kyoccorohee, radio programs, television dramas, writing, and design. She has published her first essay collection "Kirehashi”, as well as a collection of short love stories "Damatte Shabette. In 2025 she is working on her first script of television drama series "Tokyo Camouflage Hour".
Yonaval
A volunteer worker in the same team as Rita.
He is lively and frivolous person teasing Rita, but has a aspect being thoughtful of friends.
Character Voice
mo-junior high school
Born on February 14, 1983, in Kawanakajima, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Blood type O. A 7th-term graduate of NSC Tokyo.
With his unique and original sense of creativity, he is currently active in a number of regular programs, including his radio show on Shin’etsu Broadcasting, "Mou Chuugakusei no O-Radio-Chuu."
Theme Song Artist
／
AKASAKI “Tsuretette“
AKASAKI is an 18-year-old college student singer-songwriter.
He made his authentic debut as an artist on April 24, 2024 with the release of “Hikikomori”.
He was selected as one of the October Monthly Artists of “BuzzTracker” on TikTok｜Spotify, and his release “BunnyGirl” exceeded 100 million streaming and 50 million music video views in just 5 months.
He has been inundated with offers to perform at large music festivals both in Japan and abroad, and in July, he is scheduled to hold his first Tomeihan tour “Ichi-ka-Bachi-ka” at the end of his age of 18.
In 2025, he has been selected as one of the hottest new artists in the industry by RADAR:EarlyNoise2025, Buzz Rhythm's “Artists Who Must Break Out in 2025” and EIGHT-JAM's "My Best 10 2024”
I am honored to be involved in the project of animating this wonderful novel.
This novel has been made into both manga and Hollywood movie, and I hope that STUDIO4℃'s unique visual expression will further enhance the value of this book in the animation film. I also hope that the viewers will find a hope to live in their everyday life through this film.
Director Kenichiro AKIMOTO
As someone who’s always loved anime, it was like a dream for me to participate in this project. But at the same time, I was also anxious about whether I could do it because I loved anime… That anxiety overlapped with Rita’s feelings. However on the first day of recording with Hanae, the voice actor of Keiji, I experienced a strange moment when my feelings were lightened and released. I felt breathing and living as Rita was something unique as a voice actor. This work has various versions and showing many expressions as a light novel, manga, and live-action film, but this animated version is also crammed with interpretations and expressions what is only possible to do in animation, thanks to the professional casts and staffs. Whether you are a fan of the original work or new to this work, I hope you will join the journey of Rita and Keiji to find hope for their lives.
Rita: Ai MIKAMI
Hello, this is Natsuki Hanae, and I play the role of Keiji.
At first glance, Keiji might seem like an ordinary young man. But as he repeatedly faces death on the brutal battlefield, he gradually begins to change and grow. Through my voice, I hope to carefully convey his despair, inner conflict, and ultimately, his resolve. One of the highlights of the story is Keiji's evolving relationship with Rita—whom he meets within the loop—and the determination that begins to take root within him as he relives the same battles over and over. I hope you'll witness these transformations, brought to life with the stunning visuals from STUDIO4℃.
Please look forward to it!
Keiji: Natsuki HANAE
Shasta is an intelligent yet laid-back scientist with a strong sense of her own world.
She approaches the mystery of the time loop with an unusually high level of excitement—very different from the other scientists.
When playing her, I focused on her calm, offbeat demeanor and her genuine thrill when facing the unknown.
I haven’t seen the final version of the film yet, so I’m really looking forward to finding out how it all turned out!
Shasta: Kana HANAZAWA
Shasta is an intelligent yet laid-back scientist with a strong sense of her own world.
She approaches the mystery of the time loop with an unusually high level of excitement—very different from the other scientists.
When playing her, I focused on her calm, offbeat demeanor and her genuine thrill when facing the unknown.
I haven’t seen the final version of the film yet, so I’m really looking forward to finding out how it all turned out!
Raychell: Hiccorohee
My reflection was
"It is very interesting","It was very interesting". And after watching this, our dailylife "will be another world","is going to be another world".
(Eating Soba after watching this made me feel chewy double)
Yonaval: mo-junior high school
Hello, I’m AKASAKI. This time I am going to sing the main theme song of an animation film for the first time in my life.
This film is named “ALL YOU NEED IS KILL”. I still can't forget the shock I felt when I first heard this strong title and the epic story of the loop of life and death. I put the feelings of Rita and Keiji, into the song “Tsuretette“. I hope that even during a battle with no way out, people would find some hope lightening somewhere of their hearts.
I hope you will enjoy this song along with the anime.
Theme Song Artist AKASAKI