Netflix's animated film "The Ribbon Hero" has officially premiered globally on August 8, marking the return of the classic "Princess Knight" by legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka. The film follows Princess Sapphire as she fights to become a hero in the kingdom of Goldland after losing her homeland Silverland to the calamity known as Nergal.
This is also the feature directorial debut of Yuuki Igarashi, who previously worked on the hit series "Jujutsu Kaisen." On the occasion of the film's release, voice actor Koki Uchiyama, who plays Velvet—a high-ranking official of the religious organization Mithra who seeks to manipulate Princess Sapphire—shared intriguing insights into his work process and an unexpected connection with director Igarashi.
Uchiyama revealed that he once doubted his ability to portray this complex antagonist. However, thanks to the careful guidance of the director and the production team, he gradually overcame the pressure to create a Velvet that is both mesmerizing and captivating, contributing to the film's appeal.
With the combination of Tezuka's classic material and modern filmmaking style, "The Ribbon Hero" promises to be an exciting experience for both fans of the original work and newcomers alike.