GKIDS announced that it has acquired the North American theatrical rights for the 1999 Adolescence of Utena anime film or screening in U.S. theaters this June 2026. A new poster visual and trailer have been released ahead of its theatrical release.
The anime film will be screened in its original Japanese language with English subtitles for two nights on June 21, 2026 and June 22, 2026.
Kunihiko Ikuhara (Sarazanmai, Yurikuma Arashi) served as director of the anime film at J.C. Staff, with Yoji Enokido (Bungo Stray Dogs Seasons 1-5) writing the screenplay. It was first released in Japan on August 14, 1999.
Adolescence of Utena was preceded by a 39-episode TV anime series that was released in Japan in 1997 titled Revolutionary Girl Utena, which was also directed by Ikuhara.
The series has inspired several manga series, light novels, stage musicals, and video games. The most recent manga title, Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution, was released in Japan between 2017 and 2018. VIZ Media publishes the manga entries for English release under its Shojo Beat imprint.
GKIDS describes the main synopsis of Adolescence of Utena as:
Utena enrolls in the prestigious Ohtori Academy on her quest to become a prince, and stumbles into a mysterious cabal of students dueling for possession of the “Rose Bride.” The role belongs to their classmate Anthy, an enigmatic girl who equally captivates and confuses Utena. While fending off powerful rivals, Utena must uncover the secrets surrounding Anthy and her own desires. As the relationship between the girls intensifies, their thirst for freedom crescendoes into a need for revolution.
Sources: GKIDS Films Official Twitter, press release