The fantasy mystery anime film Whoever Steals This Book opened in Japan on December 26, 2025, and now Crunchyroll has announced the acquisition of the North American theatrical rights. The international premiere is set for the New York International Children's Film Festival , which takes place February 28 – March 15, 2026, with additional theatrical release information to come at a later date. The film will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Whoever Steals This Book Anime Trailer Daiki Fukuoka ( Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Hero Chapter ) directs the film at studio Kagokan, with a script by Yasuhiro Nakanishi ( Toilet-bound Hanako-kun ), character designs and chief animation direction by Keiko Kurosawa ( ASTRA LOST IN SPACE ) and music by Michiru Oshima ( Anne Shirley ). Yuji Higa, who founded studio Kagokan, is credited as animation producer. Yen Press publishes an official English version of the light novel by Nowaki Fukamidori, as well as the manga adaptation, illustrated by Kekeru Sora. The movie is described as such: “I wish I’d never read a book…!” Mifuyu Mikura is a high school student living in Yomunaga, a town steeped in stories and surrounded by books. Her great-grandfather founded Mikura Hall, a renowned library that her family has managed for generations. But despite being raised in a book-loving town, Mifuyu has always hated books. One day, a mysterious theft at Mikura Hall unleashes a powerful curse — the books’ curse — dragging the entire town into the worlds of the stolen stories. To undo the curse, Mifuyu must dive into the very tales she’s always avoided. Teaming up with a strange girl named Mashiro, she sets out to reclaim the stolen books and uncover the truth behind the curse. Who is the thief? And what hidden secrets lie within the Mikura family — and Mifuyu herself? A story-jumping fantasy adventure begins, filled with mystery, magic, and the power of words. When the final curse is broken, the truth that was taken will be revealed.
