News

CloverWorks, the acclaimed Japanese animation studio behind fan-favorite hit series like Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, Horimiya and many more, has a recent feature film in its catalog, now streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Trapezium is a 95-minute anime drama movie and a bold new character study for the studio, generally known for producing more buoyant and serialized stories. Helping bring the feature film to life are anime talent such as director Masahiro Shinohara -- known for his work on Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World -- and veteran anime writer Yuko Kakihara, of Buddy Daddies and Blue Box fame, handling the screenplay. The movie adapts Kazumi Takayama's original novel of the same name. The film's official trailer can be seen below.

RelatedAfter 4-Year Hiatus, Crunchyroll Shares Major Update on Long-Awaited Fire Force Season 3 Anime

Fire Force Season 3 gets a major positive update, with an exclusive new trailer reveal...

The acclaimed anime streaming giant Crunchyroll has added this coming-of-age production to its catalog just before the month ends. Trapezium, an adaptation of the original novel by Kazumi Takayama, is now streaming only on Crunchyroll after joining the streamer today, Friday, February 28. This also comes in the wake of its debut in North American theaters for only a day, on September 18, 2024. The drama film is from the noteworthy Japanese animation studio CloverWorks, who have produced Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, Bocchi The Rock!, and Horimiya.

When I first heard about Trapezium, I was skeptical and curious. Adapted from a novel by Kazumi Takayama, a former member of the idol juggernaut Nogizaka46, and directed by Masahiro Shinohara with CloverWorks animation, the pedigree alone piqued my interest. After all, Takayama’s insider perspective on the idol world offered authenticity, if not vulnerability, while CloverWorks’ reputation for producing visually stunning works hinted at a polished spectacle.

Nonetheless, Trapezium is not what it seems at first glance. It presents itself as a coming-of-age story — the kind of breezy, pastel-tinged animation where friendships are formed, and dreams come true — but what lies beneath is a darker, more frightening investigation of ambition, deception, and the cost of stardom.

Expectations, I’ve discovered, can be both a prison and a prism. When I approached Trapezium, I expected something formulaic: catchy J-Pop interludes, sugary moments of friendship, and the unavoidable triumph of dreams over obstacles.

The year 2023 was an embarrassment of riches when it came to animation. Movies like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” became massive commercial successes and crossed the billion-dollar mark at the box office, while movies like “Nimona” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” hit big with audiences and critics. There were films that boasted wildly different aesthetics and showed the power of the animation medium, like “Blue Giant” and “The First Slam Dunk.” We also saw the return of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, who gave us his most personal film to date with “The Boy and the Heron.”

That’s a lot for 2024 to live up to — luckily, it seems the year will bring with it a healthy mix of big studio franchises and more grown-up animated fare. There are still big and highly anticipated animated movies slated to be released in 2024. “Inside Out 2,” Pixar’s mega-blockbuster Oscar favorite,...

A new theatrical idol experience will head to theaters this month as Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will release the 2024 anime film Trapezium in North American theaters for one day only on September 18! Tickets can be purchased directly from the list of theaters below, as well as at Fandango.com . United States Arizona Harkins Theatres Estrella Falls 16 Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 18 with IMAX California AMC Burbank 16 AMC The Grove 14 Regal Delta Shores & IMAX Century Arden 14 Regal Edwards Mira Mesa ​​AMC Mission Valley 20 Cinemark Century Oakridge 20 AMC Metreon 16 AMC Saratoga 14 Colorado AMC Westminster Promenade 24 Connecticut Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 Xd and IMAX Florida Cinemark Paradise 24 and Xd AMC Dine-in Disney Springs 24 Regal Waterford Lakes AMC Veterans 24 Georgia AMC Colonial 18 Hawaii Consolidated Theatres Ward with Titan Luxe Illinois AMC Streets of Woodfield 20 AMC River East 21 AMC Village Crossing 18 Maryland Cinemark Egyptian 24 and Xd AMC Dine-In Rio 18 Regal Majestic Massachusetts AMC Boston Common...

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment is helping bring more anime movies your way as the 2024 anime film Trapezium will release in North American theaters for one day on September 18, in France on November 19 and in Germany on November 26. Stay tuned for more ticketing information in the future about the release! Based on the novel by Kazumi Takayama, Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) directs Trapezium at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). The movie was released in Japan in May 2024. Crunchyroll describes the movie: Driven by an unwavering passion for becoming an idol, Yu Azuma, a young, ambitious first-year student at Joshu East High School, embarks on a journey to form an idol group. To make her dream a reality, she recruits one girl from each of her region...

Case Closed: The Million-dollar Pentagram , the 27th feature film in the Case Closed/Detective Conan anime franchise, continued to stay at the top the Japanese box office now for the sixth consecutive weekend. The record for the longest stay in first place in the Case Closed/Detective Conan film series is seven weekends — from April to May 2018 — held by Detective Conan Zero the Enforcer , the 22nd film in the series. The Million-dollar Pentagram earned 408 million yen (2.61 million Usd) on 278,000 admissions in its sixth weekend of May 17-19, a 24.6 percent week-by-week drop, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha. Since debuting in Japanese theaters on April 12, the movie has earned a box office total of 13.5 billion yen (86.32 million Usd) from 9.43 million ticket sales. The movie also became the second top-grossing film in the Conan anime franchise, behind only the 2023 film Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine with 13.88 billion yen (88.75 million Usd). It also now ranks...

Case Closed: The Million-dollar Pentagram , the 27th feature film in the Case Closed/Detective Conan anime franchise, earned 534 million yen (3.42 million Usd) on 362,000 admissions in its fifth weekend of May 10-12, a 53 percent week-on-week drop according to Kogyo Tsushinsha . Despite the drop, the film still stayed on top at the Japanese box office for five consecutive weekends now. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , another new Hollywood release in Japan last weekend, made its second-place debut with 271 million yen (1.74 million Usd). After 30 days of release, The Million-dollar Pentagram has earned a cumulative 12.8 billion yen (81.95 million Usd) on 8.95 million admissions. It has now become the 27th top-grossing film of all-time ever released in Japan, surpassing Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park . Blue Lock The Movie -Episode Nagi -, an anime feature film based on the Blue Lock side story manga of the same name, climbed up one position to third place in its fourth weekend,...

Ahead of its theatrical release tomorrow in Japan, anime film trapezium unveiled a brand-new trailer today that highlights the dreams and challenges of four wannabe idols from the north, south, west and east of Japan, along with MAISONdes' ( Urusei Yatsura ) theme song for the film. Character trailers were also released for the film's core ensemble, Yu Higashi, Kurumi Taiga, Ranko Katori and Mika Kamei. Related: Trapezium Anime Film Posts First 3 Minutes Ahead of Release Based on the novel by Kazumi Takayama, trapezium is directed by Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). As previously reported , the story follows high school student Yu Higashi, a teenager who has sworn off social media and hobbies, pledging to keep her head down and not seek a...

Japanese music project MAISONdes has released its new digital single song "Nanmonai feat. Hoshimachi Suisei, sakuma." and also posted the song's music video on its official YouTube channel . As reported , the song features VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei as the vocalist, while music creator and producer sakuma. wrote the lyrics and music. MAISONdes is a project that changes the singer and creator for each song, and is best known for its theme song works for the Urusei Yatsura reboot anime series among anime fans. "Nanmonai feat. Hoshimachi Suisei, sakuma." will be featured as the theme song for the upcoming anime feature film trapezium . MAISONdes "Nanmonai feat. Hoshimachi Suisei, sakuma." music video Digital jacket Related: VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei Sings Trapezium Anime Film Theme Song Hoshimachi Suisei visual Trapezium is based on former Nogizaka46 member Kazumi Takayama's debut novel of the same name. The anime film produced by CloverWorks is set to release...

The upcoming trapezium anime film adaptation of Kazumi Takayama’s 2018 novel of the same name starts to shape the world by posting the first three minutes of the feature today to drum up excitement ahead of its May 10 release in Japan. The preview also features the theme song for the film “Nanmonai” produced by MAISONdes, sung by VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei and features sakuma. Related: Trapezium Anime Film Releases Main Trailer with Key Visual, Cast Announcements Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) directs the trapezium movie at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). The film releases in Japan on May 10 with no international date confirmed. Source: Comic Natalie...

The official site and social channels for the upcoming trapezium anime film adaptation released a new main trailer today ahead of its May 10 premiere, alongside a new key visual and cast additions. The new trailer features the film's main theme "Nanmonai feat. Hoshimachi Suisei, sakuma." Additional cast members announced include JO1 member Shoya Kimata in the role of Shinji Kudo, and Japanese comedian Teruyoshi Uchimura in the role of Shuichi Itami. Shoya Kimata as Shinji Kudo and Teruyoshi Uchimura as Shuichi Itami Based on the 2018 novel by Kazumi Takayama, Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai   episode director) directs the trapezium movie at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). Sources: Official Site , Comic Natalie...

Ahead of a May 10 theatrical release in Japan, anime film trapezium today announced that its four main cast members — Asaki Yuikawa, Hina Yomiya, Reina Ueda and Haruka Aikawa — will meet in the middle to perform ending theme song "Hoi Jishin", with lyrics by ex-Nogizaka46 member Kazumi Takayama and musical arrangement by Masaru Yokoyama. The song itself appears in the original novel penned by Takayama. Additionally, it was revealed that the quartet will perform another song titled "Naritai Jibun" for the film. Related: Trapezium Anime Film Casts Haruka Aikawa as Mika Kamei Based on the novel by Kazumi Takayama, trapezium is being directed by Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). MAISONdes ( Urusei Yatsura ) is providing the film's theme songs. As previously reported , the...

Cast announcements for upcoming anime film trapezium are coming from all directions! Representing the north is Mika Kamei, a first-year student who works as a volunteer teaching children, who will be voiced by Haruka Aikawa (Koma in Otaku Elf ) when the film releases in Japanese theaters on May 10 . Mika Kamei character design Related: Trapezium Anime Film Adds Reina Ueda as Ranko Katori Based on the novel by Kazumi Takayama, trapezium is being directed by Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). MAISONdes ( Urusei Yatsura ) is providing the film's theme songs. As previously reported , the story follows high school student Yu Higashi, a teenager who has sworn off social media and hobbies, pledging to keep her head down and not seek a boyfriend in...

The official website for the upcoming anime feature film trapezium announced today on February 19 that Reina Ueda (Mayu Nekoyashiki in Wonderful Precure! ) is cast as one of its main characters, Ranko Katori. The site introduces the character as: "Star of the South. A second-year student at Seinan Teneritas Academy for Girls. She is 16 years old and is active in the tennis club, admiring Madame Butterfly." "Ranko-chan is a character with a very strong personality," Ueda said. "And as beautiful as she is in appearance, I have the impression that she has a heart as beautiful and pure as her looks. Her charms are scattered throughout the story, in various scenes, and she is a good spice or lubricant, so I hope you will pay attention to her charms and watch the youth of 'East and West, North and South'!" Related: Trapezium Anime Film Casts Hina Yomiya as Kurumi Taiga...

Ahead of a May 10 theatrical release in Japan, the upcoming trapezium anime film announced the addition of its second main cast member, Hina Yomiya (Anna in The Dangers in My Heart ) as Kurumi Taiga — a new friend of protagonist Yu Higashi, voiced by Asaki Yuikawa. Kurumi Taiga character design Related: Rascal Does Not Dream Anime to Adapt University Arc Based on the novel by Kazumi Takayama, trapezium is being directed by Masahiro Shinohara ( Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai episode director) at studio CloverWorks, with a script by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Rio and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). MAISONdes ( Urusei Yatsura ) is providing the film's theme songs. As previously reported , the story follows high school student Yu Higashi, a teenager who has sworn off social media, hobbies, pledges to keep her head down and not seek a boyfriend in her quest to become a professional idol.

The official website for the upcoming anime feature film trapezium announced that VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei will sing the movie's theme song, "Nanmonai feat. Hoshimachi Suisei, sakuma." Sakuma. , a music creator and producer who is also involved with the music unit Shuden Magiwa Online, writes the lyrics and music for the song. " Nanmonai " literally means "There is nothing" in Japanese. MAISONdes , best known for its theme song works for the Urusei Yatsura reboot anime series, was previously announced to help produce the song featured in the teaser trailer released in December 2023. Hoshimachi Suisei is a virtual idol who belongs to the VTuber group hololive. She has over 2.07 million YouTube subscribers and 1.46 million Twitter followers . "I am very happy to work on the theme song for a film by CloverWorks, which I love, and whose theme is one of my favorites: idols," Hoshimachi said. "I put my true feelings into my singing voice.

Anime studio Cloverworks announces Trapezium as a new movie, offering fabulous visuals and a coming-of-age story centered around an aspiring idol performer. Trapezium, written by former idol Kazumi Takayama, promises to go beyond surface-level aesthetics and explores the protagonist's journey in the idol industry. The teaser trailer for Trapezium hints at a unique take on idol anime, focusing more on the struggles of the protagonist rather than glittering stages, making it stand out in the genre.

Anime studio Cloverworks revealed that it is adapting the novel Trapezium into a movie. It was revealed via a new teaser video released on YouTube. The movie, which follows an aspiring idol performer, currently has a Japan release date of May 2024, with no current indications of an international release for now.

Anime centering on the idol industry is nothing new, but Cloverworks' vision of Trapezium seems to offer more fabulous visuals, while the story focuses on the protagonist's coming-of-age.