GKIDS has announced a partnership with Regal to exclusively distribute the anime film HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle- Interactive Movie on February 27, 2026. The film will screen in select Regal theaters across 15 U.S. markets in Japanese with English subtitles. It was first released theatrically in Japan on February 21, 2025.
©ヒプノシスマイク -Division Rap Battle- Movie
A trailer was posted on GKIDS Films YouTube channel, where its description lists it as having “16 songs, 48 paths, and 7 endings.” The film will also feature groups such as the Buster Bros!!!, MAD TRIGGER CREW, Fling Posse, Matenro, Dotsuitare Hompo, Bad Ass Temple, and Kotonohatou.
The interactive anime film is described as:
HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle- Interactive Movie is an immersive cinematic experience where the outcome lies in your hands. Vote with or against your fellow movie-goers to determine how each battle unfolds in Japan’s first interactive anime film, where each film screening is uniquely shaped by its audience.
Disputes are now settled through rap battles instead of violence using a special microphone known as the Hypnosis Mic. Lyrics delivered through the mic directly affect the human spirit, thereby eliminating the need for armed conflict. Six groups (Buster Bros!!!, MAD TRIGGER CREW, Fling Posse, Matenro, DOTSUITARE-HOMPO, and Bad Ass Temple) from regions throughout Japan now compete to prove their strength in the Final Division Rap Battle, hosted by KOTONOHATOH. In a world where words have replaced weapons, the ultimate rap battle that will decide the future of the nation is about to begin.
Tickets for the film are now on sale, with an up-to-date list of theatres and showtimes available on Regal’s official website.
The film also had a special screening at Anime Expo 2025, along with Uta no☆Princesama TABOO NIGHT XXXX.
Takanori Tsujimoto served as the director, with Yuichiro Momose (Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- side D. Ｈ＆Ｂ．Ａ．Ｔ scenario writer, Demon Lord 2099) as screenwriter and Kazui (Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima+ original character designer) as character designer. Polygon Pictures was in charge of the animation production.
EVIL LINE RECORDS first launched the Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- multimedia project in 2017. It has inspired several character CDs, live performances, manga, and a mobile game. The TV anime series Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima premiered in 2020, while the sequel, Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima+, was released in October 2024.
©『ヒプノシスマイク-Division Rap Battle-』Rhyme Anima製作委員会
Crunchyroll streamed both seasons of Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- in select countries and territories worldwide. It describes the first season as:
Legendary rap group The Dirty Dawg could have taken Japan by storm, but then they broke up. Now each member fights in one of the four rival groups. Battles for turf are fought with rap and the Hypnosis Mic, a microphone that can affect the human spirit.
Source: press release
