We Are Aliens

We Are Aliens
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKōhei Kadowaki
Screenplay byKōhei Kadowaki
Starring
Edited byKōhei Kadowaki
Music byYaffle
Production
company
Nothing New
Distributed byToho Next
Release dates
  • 14 May 2026 (2026-05-14) (Cannes)
  • 25 September 2026 (2026-09-25) (Japan)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

We Are Aliens (Japanese: 我々は宇宙人, Hepburn: Wareware wa Uchūjin) is a 2026 Japanese animated film written and directed by Kōhei Kadowaki.

The film had its world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 14 May. It was theatrically released in Japan by Toho Next on 25 September

Voice cast

Character Japanese
Tsubasa
  • Ryōta Bandō
  • Yūto Maki (young)
Gyōtarō
Konatsu
Batahara
  • Kemuri Matsui
  • Haru Suenaga (young)
Seiya Toda
Elmo Matsushita Arisa Sasaki
Calligraphy Teacher Edo Harumi

Production

The film is produced and planned by Nothing New and directed and written by Kōhei Kadowaki, with Miyu Productions credited for production cooperation and Yaffle as music composer. Ryōta Bandō and Amane Okayama were cast in the lead roles. The film's theme song is "Sasakure" (Split) performed by Adieu.

Release

The film premiered at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 14 May, and was distributed by Toho Next and Nothing New, released the film in theaters on 25 September 2026.

The film competed in Official Competition at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2026, and in Asian Feature Film Competition of 37th Singapore International Film Festival on 28 October, vying for Silver Screen Awards.

Reception

The film was called bitter and funny by Actu.fr and bordering on the tragic. Reviews noted that the film addressed themes like bullying and betrayal and the interesting use of rotoscopy and live-action images.

References

  1. ↑ Cayanan, Joanna (April 14, 2026). "We Are Aliens Anime Film's Teaser Unveils Main Cast, Composer". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 27, 2026). "We Are Aliens Anime Film's Trailer Reveals 2 Cast Members, Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  3. ↑ 櫻坂46・山﨑天、令和ロマン・松井ケムリがアニメ映画『我々は宇宙人』に声優参加。主題歌はadieu. CINRA (in Japanese). July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ Cayanan, Joanna (August 19, 2026). "We Are Aliens Film Unveils More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ NOTHING NEW初の長編アニメ「我々は宇宙人」ティザー映像公開、少年2人の友情を描く. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 17, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 17, 2025). "Kohei Kadowaki, Film Label Nothing New Reveal We Are Aliens Anime Film in Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "We Are Aliens". Quinzaine des cinéastes (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  8. ↑ Loo, Egan (June 26, 2026). "Kōhei Kadowaki's We Are Aliens Anime Film to Open on September 25". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ Roxborough, Scott (28 April 2026). "Annecy Unveils 2026 Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "We Are Aliens". Singapore International Film Festival. 25 September 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Cannes 2026. Un monde entre nous, un film d'animation au récit aussi aigre que drôle". actu.fr (in French). 2026-05-23. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  12. ↑ Wyzman (2026-05-16). "Cannes 2026 | Un Monde entre nous, fantastique analyse des traumatismes d'enfance signée Kohei Kadowaki". Ecrannoir.fr (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  13. ↑ https://www.close-upmag.com/2026/05/14/chroniques-de-cannes-2026-we-are-aliens-un-monde-entre-nous/
  14. ↑ "Un Monde entre nous : avant-première". Le Japon à Paris (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  15. ↑ "Festival d'Annecy | Critique : Un monde entre nous". Le Polyester (in French). 2026-06-26. Retrieved 2026-06-29.