# Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood gives major Studio Ghibli vibes in latest trailer

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/cocoon-one-summer-of-girlhood-gives-major-studio-ghibli-vibes-in-latest-trailer/
- Published: 2026-07-16T17:58:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-25T23:14:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Polygon
- Original article: https://www.polygon.com/cocoon-one-summer-of-girlhood-trailer-gkids-studio-ghibli/
- Topics: Gaming

## Key points

- GKIDS releases English-subtitled trailer for Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood
- Made by ex-Studio Ghibli staff, evokes Grave of the Fireflies
- Based on real Himeyuri students' story; hits US cinemas 4 September

## Summary

GKIDS has released an English-subtitled trailer for Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood, an animated film made by former Studio Ghibli staff that is drawing comparisons to the studio's celebrated work. It marks the feature debut of director Yukimitsu Ina and the animation studio Sasayuri, which was founded by Ghibli veteran Tateno Hitoma, whose past credits include Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Grave of the Fireflies; the last of these is seen as particularly relevant given the tonal and thematic similarities to Cocoon's story.

The film follows San and Mayu, two students at an island girls' school who are forced to nurse wounded soldiers in a hidden military hospital as war reaches their home. It is adapted from Machiko Kyo's manga, itself based on the true story of the Himeyuri students during the Battle of Okinawa in the final months of the Second World War, and premiered in Japan last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the war's end, earning praise for its handling of gendered violence and suffering. GKIDS acquired North American distribution rights last month and will release the film in cinemas on 4 September, screening both the Japanese version (led by Mitsushima Hikari and Itō Marika) and an English dub, whose cast has not yet been announced.

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