Disney & Pixar’s Hoppers Set for Spring 2026 Japan Release

Key Facts

• Disney and Pixar confirmed Hoppers will be released in Japan in spring 2026.
• The film’s protagonist, Mabel, transfers her consciousness into a beaver robot.
• A teaser poster and trailer featuring Mabel’s adventure in the animal world were revealed.
• Directed and written by Daniel Chong, a storyboard artist of Inside Out.
• The director cited inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s Pom Poko.

Disney and Pixar have announced that their new animated film Hoppers will be released in Japan in spring 2026. The story follows Mabel, a girl who transfers her consciousness into a beaver robot to explore a world where humans can communicate with animals. A teaser poster and trailer highlighting her transformation and adventures were also unveiled.

Disney & Pixar Announce Hoppers

Disney and Pixar, known for imaginative films like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Inside Out, and Coco, are introducing a new story with Hoppers. Scheduled for release in Japan in spring 2026, the film explores a world where humans can communicate with animals. This announcement comes as Pixar prepares for the August 1 release of its other new film, Elio.

The protagonist of Hoppers is Mabel, a young girl who loves animals. Through a technology developed by scientists, she transfers her consciousness into a realistic robotic beaver. This process, referred to as “hopping,” allows her to immerse herself in the animal kingdom and uncover its secrets.

Teaser Poster and Trailer Details

A teaser poster capturing the moment Mabel “hops” into the beaver body was released alongside a special trailer. The footage shows scientists, who have long studied the “hop” technology, successfully conducting an experiment and explaining the process to Mabel. Despite their objections, she insists on hopping into the beaver robot.

In the trailer, Mabel wakes up as a furry beaver and begins understanding the voices of forest creatures, including birds and insects. She enjoys exploring the forest until she encounters a dangerous moment when another beaver is nearly attacked by a bear. Her attempt to intervene surprises the bear, but she is then told by the beaver that such actions are against the natural rules of the animal world.

Director Daniel Chong’s Approach

Hoppers is directed and written by Daniel Chong, who previously worked as a storyboard artist on Inside Out, a film that won the Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Awards. For this project, Chong conducted extensive research, including visiting national parks where beavers live and studying documentaries that explore animal ecosystems.

Chong cited Studio Ghibli’s Pom Poko, directed by Isao Takahata, as a major source of inspiration for the film. Both works examine the relationship between humans and animals and how human actions affect nature. According to Chong, Hoppers offers a unique perspective by presenting both human and animal viewpoints simultaneously.

Hoppers Japanese Teaser Trailer

Source : ORICON NEWS