Tezuka's Princess Knight Returns as Netflix's THE RIBBON HERO, Streaming Worldwide August 8

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One of the most historically important stories in manga history is getting its first new anime adaptation in 27 years — and it's arriving on Netflix worldwide this weekend.

The Story and the Source

THE RIBBON HERO is based on Princess Knight, the manga Osamu Tezuka began serializing in 1953. The film follows Sapphire, a "cursed" princess who takes up the sword to overcome trauma from her past and protect her people from feral creatures threatening them.

Who's Making It

The film is directed by Yuki Igarashi, marking his feature directorial debut, with character designs by Kei Mochizuki and Mai Yoneyama. It's produced by Netflix and Twin Engine, with animation by Studio OUTLINE.

Why This Adaptation Matters

THE RIBBON HERO marks Princess Knight's first new anime adaptation in 27 years, following a short film in 1999. Princess Knight is widely regarded as one of the foundational works of shoujo manga — meaning this isn't simply another franchise revival, but a rare new adaptation of one of the genre's actual origin points, streaming worldwide exclusively on Netflix starting August 8, 2026.

What To Know

Princess Knight isn't just an old manga — it's widely credited as one of the foundational works of shoujo (girls') manga, shaping the entire genre that followed it. A new adaptation after 27 years, backed by a global platform like Netflix, is a genuinely rare chance for international fans to encounter one of Tezuka's most historically important stories in a new, accessible form rather than only through decades-old archival material.

Osamu Tezuka is often called the "God of Manga" in Japan, and Princess Knight specifically holds a distinct place in that legacy — unlike his more action- or sci-fi-oriented classics, it's considered a founding text of shoujo manga's visual and narrative conventions, which makes THE RIBBON HERO's arrival meaningfully different from a typical franchise revival: it's a return to one of the genre's actual origin points, not just a beloved but conventional title getting a new coat of paint.

What Fans Are Saying

• "Princess Knight getting a new adaptation after 27 years is huge for anyone who cares about manga history."
• "Netflix backing a Tezuka classic worldwide instead of a Japan-only release is exactly the kind of access international fans want."
• "A cursed princess taking up the sword sounds like a genuinely fresh take on the original story."

Original Japanese

• 「リボンの騎士が27年ぶりに新作アニメになるのは、漫画史を知る人にとって本当に大きな出来事」
• 「Netflixが世界配信してくれるのは、海外のファンにとってありがたい」
• 「呪いを受けた王女が剣を取るという設定、原作とは違う新しい切り口で面白そう」

Easy Japanese

手塚治虫の有名な漫画「リボンの騎士」が、Netflixの映画になりました。8月8日から世界中で配信されます。27年ぶりの新作アニメです。