The official website for A NEW DAWN , an upcoming original animation film directed by Japanese painter Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, released a main trailer featuring the theme song "Aoba" ("green leaves") performed by singer-songwriter imase today. A NEW DAWN is scheduled to open in Japan on March 6, 2026. A NEW DAWN Main Trailer Imase made his major debut from Universal Music's Virgin Music label in December 2021, releasing 27 digital singles to date. His previous anime theme song works include "Utopia" for SAND LAND (2023), "EGOIST" for TRILLION GAME (2025), and "Mr. Moonlight" for HOTEL INHUMANS (2025). "Aoba" was written and composed by imase, who is in the same generation as the protagonists in the film. Additionally, Shuta Hasunuma, who worked on the film's original score, handled the arrangement and sound production for the song. As imase's 28th digital single, "Aoba" will be available digitally on February 27, 2026. He shared the following comment on the song: Everyone has feelings they must let go of. As we grow into adults, these may sometimes feel like junk, but they are never wasted — they shape who we have been and are precious things that will make our future shine. A NEW DAWN"is the film that made me realize this. I aimed to create a song that, while still tinged with youth, would accept a new self. Hashinuma-san's arrangement beautifully conveys the song's delicate beauty! It's amazing! I've always wanted to try string arrangements like this! This song is special and precious to me, too! imase artist photo A NEW DAWN is a French-Japanese co-production film with the French studio Miyu Productions. Yoshitoshi Shinomiya — an artist best known for their background illustrations in Garden of Word s and Your Name . as well as visuals for Pokémon films — writes and directs the film based on their own original work. Utsushita of Minakata Laboratory draws the character designs, Akiko Majima provides the art direction and Shuta Hasunuma composes the music. The film was selected as one of five films in the “Animation Day” Annecy Animation Showcase at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival in May 2024. As previously reported , the film is also included in the 22 films in the official Competition line-up of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, which will be held in Berlin, Germany, in February 2026. The Berlin festival's official website introduces the synopsis of A NEW DAWN as such: Keitaro lives in a fireworks factory that is about to be shut down. He is determined to unravel the mystery of the Shuhari, a mythical firework created by his father before he disappeared without a trace – and launch it before the factory closes. Source : A NEW DAWN official website
