GKIDS has revealed a January 16, 2026 North American release date for the All You Need Is Kill anime film adaptation. 

This comes not long after the film’s Japanese theatrical release date of January 9, 2026 JST was announced with a main trailer and main visual.

All You Need Is Kill is inspired by the science fiction action light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka (illustrated by Yoshitoshi Abe). GKIDS’ description reads:

Set in the year 20XX, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL follows the story of Rita, a resourceful but isolated young woman volunteering to help rebuild Japan after the mysterious appearance of a massive alien flower known as “Darol.” When Darol unexpectedly erupts in a deadly event, unleashing monstrous creatures that decimate the population, Rita is caught in the destruction—and killed. But then she wakes up again. And again. Caught in an endless time loop, Rita must navigate the trauma and repetition of death until she crosses paths with Keiji, a shy young man trapped in the same cycle. Together, they fight to break free from the loop and find meaning in the chaos around them.

GKIDS has also licensed the anime for the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The film has been featured at various film festivals and has further appearances scheduled.

The original light novel was published in 2004 under Shueisha’s Super Dash Bunko label and inspired a manga and a Tom Cruise-starring Hollywood film titled Edge of Tomorrow. 

Staff

• Director: Kenichiro Akimoto (Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko unit director, Children of the Sea CGI director)
• Scriptwriter: Yuichiro Kido (Dr. Stone series composer and scriptwriter)
• Character designer: Izumi Murakami 
• Unit director: Yukinori Nakamura
• CGI director: Takanori Nakashima (ChaO compositing director)
• Mechanical designer: IZMOJUKI
• Science fiction researcher: Yuya Takashima
• Animation production: STUDIO4℃

Cast

• Ai Mikami as Rita
• Natsuki Hanae as Keiji
• Kana Hanazawa as Shasta:
• Hiccorohee as Raychell 
• Mo Chuugakusei as Yonaval

Source: @GKIDSfilms