During a panel on the Anime Expo 2025, the animation studio Cloverworks Revealed a new trailer for his anime movie GROTESQQQUE, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, director of Darling in the Franxx. It remains to note that the film is scheduled to be released in Japanese theaters for 2026.
Three worlds, three grotesque visions
the movie GROTESQQQUE It will have an unusual and ambitious structure that will be divided into three parts, each set in a different universe with its own visual and thematic style. The segments are titled:
- Æliens
- 4649girl
- Nocturn: In Cette Nuit Grotesque
An anime that defines a new creative age
GROTESQQQUE It is the first official production of Joen, a creative alliance established in 2022 by Cloverworks, , Wit Studio, , Shueisha and aniplex. This conglomerate aims to revolutionize the production process in the anime industry, prioritizing both the quality and well-being of its creators.
the goal of Joen It is connecting studios, producers and artists to match the projects with the most suitable equipment, instead of centralizing everything in a single company. This allows for greater creative freedom and guarantees a fairer distribution of benefits among those involved.
A preview that promises a different experience
The trailer revealed in Anime Expo It shows a mix of visual styles ranging from the psychedelic to the melancholic, anticipating a film that does not fit the traditional anime conventions. Although the footage is brief, the artistic design and atmosphere convey a fascinating sense of strangeness.
Atsushi Nishigori, known for his emotional and detailed approach to previous series, he seems willing to experiment to the fullest in this new project. The decision to divide the story into three independent parts, but thematically connected marks a bold turn that could influence future media projects.
Global Premiere Expectations
Although at the moment only the premiere in Japanese theaters for 2026 has been confirmed, seeing the support of aniplex And the growing international interest in experimental anime, a global launch is not ruled out through film festivals or streaming platforms.
In a panorama saturated with sequelae and adaptations, GROTESQQQUE It represents an original, risky and profoundly authorial proposal. The industry and fans will closely follow its development in the coming months.
