This summer, on 27 June 2025, the long-awaited film adaptation of the beloved manga by Coolkyousinnjya, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved (小林さんちのメイドラゴン さみしがりやの竜) hits Japanese cinemas. Produced by Kyoto Animation, the studio behind heart-rending classics like A Silent Voice and Violet Evergarden.
Originally debuting as a television anime in 2017, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid has steadily built a passionate global fanbase, blending slice-of-life comedy with fantasy charm.
The upcoming film, A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, shifts focus to Kanna and delves into her past in a deeply personal way. While Kobayashi and the others continue their daily lives, a sudden arrival disrupts their peace: Kanna’s real father, a figure shrouded in mystery, appears. The film explores Kanna’s emotional conflict and the question at its core—what defines a family?
“I don’t want to let go of this hand, because we’re already a family.”
This simple yet powerful message lies at the heart of the movie. Kyoto Animation is known for its careful storytelling, delicate emotional beats, and expressive animation.
What makes Dragon Maid such a special series is its ability to balance absurdity with sincerity, slapstick with sentimentality. And with the theatrical scale of this production, long-time viewers can look forward to seeing their favourite characters brought to life with even more detail, depth, and visual flourish.
Behind the Scenes
Voice actress Maria Naganawa, who plays Kanna, expressed her excitement upon returning to the role:
“I was thrilled to be reunited with the staff and cast. The chance to dive even deeper into Kanna’s feelings is something I’m incredibly grateful for. I want to bring out every bit of Kanna’s charm.”
Meanwhile, Mutsumi Tamura, the voice of Kobayashi, admitted she was caught off guard by the film announcement:
“I honestly didn’t think a third season would be easy to pull off, let alone a movie! When I saw the teaser visual, it looked so serious I thought, ‘Wait, are we saying goodbye to Kobayashi!?’ It threw me into a bit of a panic! But I think viewers who are familiar with the series will understand the nuance—and I’m really excited to read the script.”
To celebrate the film’s release, a wide range of theatre-exclusive goods will be available for purchase across participating cinemas nationwide. Of particular note are the two types of official pamphlets: the standard edition and the deluxe edition.
The standard pamphlet (¥1,300, 32 pages, A4 landscape format) offers a digest of Season 1 and 2, alongside character introductions and cast comments—a perfect keepsake for casual fans or those revisiting the series.
The deluxe version (¥3,500) includes everything from the standard edition plus an additional 28-page booklet packed with behind-the-scenes content. Expect exclusive interviews with original manga author Coolkyousinnjya, director Tatsuya Ishihara, and scriptwriter Yuka Yamada, as well as detailed production notes and a heartfelt dialogue between Kanna’s voice actress and the creative team. This premium version is a must-have for collectors and long-time followers of the series.
Goods Line-Up:
Beyond pamphlets, the merchandise selection is impressively extensive. Fans can look forward to:
Clear files (A and B versions) featuring key visuals from the film (¥600 each)
Mini poster sets spotlighting characters like Tohru and Kanna (¥660)
Random character badges (¥660, one of eight designs)
Art panel postcards and pin badges featuring beloved cast members
Eco tote bags and trading bromide collections for daily use and collectors alike
Acrylic stand figure sets with character cut-outs in celebratory outfits
Lunch tins with gorgeous artwork (¥1,320)
One of the standout premium items is the “Illustration Print Hoodie”, which is set to launch on the day of the film’s release for ¥7,700. Created in collaboration with AMNIBUS under the “Favorite” brand, it comes in unisex sizing and features an original graphic of Kanna.
For food lovers, the Popcorn Set (with mini clear file and themed bucket) will also be available at select theatres!
Make sure to catch it in cinemas from 27 June 2025—and don’t forget to pick up those exclusive goods while you’re at it.
