Masaaki Yuasa to Direct Anime Adaptation of Banana Yoshimoto’s Novel in 2026

Acclaimed anime director Masaaki Yuasa is returning to the big screen with a new feature film titled Daisy’s Life. The project will be a Japanese-French co-production, helmed by Yuasa’s newly established studio, Ame Pippin, and is scheduled for release in 2026.

Daisy’s Life is an adaptation of Hinagiku no Jinsei, a novel by celebrated author Banana Yoshimoto. The story’s delicate themes and emotional depth are expected to blend seamlessly with Yuasa’s unique visual storytelling and experimental style.

The announcement marks Yuasa’s first directorial project since stepping away from Science SARU in 2020, the animation studio he co-founded. With Ame Pippin, Yuasa aims to explore new creative territory, and Daisy’s Life will be the studio’s debut feature.

Fans of both Yuasa and Yoshimoto are eagerly anticipating how the director will translate the novel’s introspective narrative into a visually compelling experience. More details on the cast, production team, and distribution are expected to be revealed in the coming months