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Japan Anime News Edit by Taimu Tsuji

Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise – Pacific War Manga Adaptation Coming as an Epic Anime Film

The critically acclaimed manga Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise, written by Kazuyoshi Takeda, is being adapted into a large-scale anime film to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The movie will be released nationwide in Japan on December 5, 2025.

The story depicts the harrowing battle of Peleliu Island, a site where 10,000 Japanese soldiers were stationed, with only 34 surviving. Through Takeda’s unique three-heads-tall character designs, the narrative explores the thoughts, struggles, and resilience of young soldiers in this brutal chapter of the Pacific War.


Anime film Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise to release on December 5, 2025.

Anime film Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise to release on December 5, 2025.


Award-Winning Manga Adaptation

The manga, serialized in Young Animal (Hakusensha) from 2016 to 2021, won the Japan Cartoonists Association Excellence Award in 2017. Its main storyline spans 11 volumes, and a spin-off series, Peleliu Gaiden, is currently being serialized sporadically.


Original manga Volume 1 cover art

Original manga Volume 1 cover art (C) Kazuyoshi Takeda/Hakusensha


Directed by Rising Talent

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Goro Kuji, known for his work on TV anime like Yo-Kai Watch and Mato Seihei no Slave. The production is a collaboration between renowned animation studio Shin-Ei Animation (Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan) and emerging studio Tomioka (Dog Signal). Together, they aim to bring the tragic and gripping story of Peleliu to life on the big screen.


A Story Rooted in Historical Truth

Set in the summer of 1944 during the Pacific War, the story follows Tamura, a young soldier aspiring to become a manga artist, stationed on Peleliu Island—a seemingly idyllic paradise surrounded by coral seas. However, the island becomes a battleground where 40,000 elite American troops clash with 10,000 Japanese defenders in a bid to capture an airfield hailed as the best in the East.

The anime captures the stark realities of the war, offering a poignant narrative about survival, the human cost of conflict, and the forgotten truths of the young men who lived through this chaotic era.


A Word from the Author

I have personally been involved in the production of the film as a supervisor and co-screenwriter alongside veteran animation director Junji Nishimura.

It took an incredibly long time to complete the script. The original Peleliu manga spans 11 volumes for the main story alone, excluding the spin-offs, and condensing it into a film was a significant challenge.

As the original author, I didn’t want the film to become a flavorless digest by cramming in everything from the manga. At one point, we considered focusing only on the first half of the story and crafting it meticulously, but that approach felt somewhat unsatisfying narratively.

More importantly, this work is not just about the manga; it is rooted in historical truths—specifically, the war that occurred 80 years ago. It reflects the lives of the people who lived through those events.

After much thought, the screenplay for the film adaptation of Peleliu has been crafted into something I am confident will resonate with fans of the original manga.

Right now, I can’t wait to see Tamura, Yoshishiki, and the other beloved characters brought to life and moving vividly on the big screen.

The anime film Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise is set to be released this year on December 5.
Please look forward to further updates!



Source : ORICON NEWS

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