As anticipation builds for the theatrical release of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved , a brand-new set of character visuals has been revealed, giving fans a fresh look at both familiar faces and an intriguing new antagonist.
Set to premiere in Japan on June 27, 2025, the film continues the beloved slice-of-life fantasy series with what appears to be a deeper, more emotionally resonant storyline.
The newly released visuals feature eight characters, starting with series mainstays like the quiet and endearing Kanna, the ever-reliable Kobayashi, and the dragon maid herself, Tohru.
Other returning favorites include Elma, Lucoa, Ilulu, and Fafnir, each of whom brings their own unique charm and energy to the series. Most notably, fans are introduced to Azad, a brand-new antagonist whose presence hints at a potential shift in tone or conflict for the upcoming film.
The production of the film is being handled by Kyoto Animation, a studio well-known for its exquisite animation quality and emotional storytelling. Tatsuya Ishihara, acclaimed for his work on Sound! Euphonium , directs the project, ensuring it maintains the same heartwarming yet dynamic style that has made the series a global hit.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Although he sadly passed away, the late Yasuhiro Takemoto is credited as the series director, honoring his significant contributions to the franchise. The original manga, on which the anime is based, is written and illustrated by Coolkyousinnjya.
Crunchyroll currently streams both seasons of the anime along with a collection of shorts, and they describe the show as the story of Miss Kobayashi, a regular office worker whose mundane life takes a magical turn when she saves the life of a dragon named Tohru.
Tohru, capable of transforming into a human girl with dragon features, insists on repaying Kobayashi by becoming her live-in maid. What follows is a series of comedic, touching, and occasionally chaotic episodes that explore the dynamic between humans and dragons, as well as the meaning of family, friendship, and love.
With the reveal of new visuals and a compelling mix of returning and new characters, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved is shaping up to be a highly anticipated continuation of the series.
Fans can look forward to not only beautifully animated sequences and comedic moments, but also potentially deeper character development and storytelling that explores the inner desires and emotional growth of the beloved characters.
The inaugural MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025, one of the largest international music awards in Japan, announced the best works and artists across 62 categories during the Premiere Ceremony on May 21 and the Grand Ceremony on May 22 at Rohm Theatre Kyoto.
Established this year by five major Japanese music industry organizations, the awards aim to promote Japanese and other Asian music globally, elevate Japanese music as a cultural pride, and encourage international artists to enter the Japanese market.
Among the standout winners was the two-member unit YOASOBI, whose third single, “Idol,” featured as the opening theme for the anime Oshi no Ko .
The song garnered multiple accolades, including Best Anime Song, Top Global Hit from Japan, and Best Music Video. Additionally, the unit’s composer Ayase received the Song of the Year for Creators powered by JASRAC award for crafting “Idol.”
YOASOBI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account expressed gratitude, stating, “Along with the work ‘Oshi no Ko,’ ‘Idol’ has shown YOASOBI many different views. And we are happy that the song is still receiving new wonderful awards like this. Thank you very much for your constant support.”
YOASOBI’s ‘Idol’
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 Winners List:
- Song of the Year : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Artist of the Year : Mrs. GREEN APPLE
- New Artist of the Year : tuki.
- Album of the Year : “LOVE ALL SERVE ALL” by Kaze Fujii
- Top Global Hit from Japan : “Idol” by YOASOBI
- Best Song Asia : “Supernova” by aespa
- Best Japanese Song : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Best J-rock Song : “SPECIALZ” by King Gnu
- Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Song : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Best Japanese R&B/Contemporary Song : “Automatic” by Hikaru Utada
- Best Japanese Dance Pop Song : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Best Japanese Alternative Song : “more than words” by Hitsujibungaku
- Best Japanese Singer-songwriter Song : “Kaiju no Hanauta” by Vaundy
- Best Idol Culture Song : “Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro” by FRUITS ZIPPER
- Best Anime Song : “Idol” by YOASOBI
- Best Enka/Kayokyoku : “Kurenai no Chou” by Keisuke Yamauchi
- Best Revival Hit Song : “Peppermint Blue” by Eiichi Ohtaki
- Best Cross-Border Collaboration Song : “Feelin’ Go(o)d” by Kaze Fujii / A. G. Cook
- Best Instrumental Song : “aruarian dance” by Nujabes
- Best Vocaloid Culture Song : “Senbonzakura” by Kurousa-P
- Best Music Video : “Idol” by YOASOBI
- Best Dance Performance : “Otona Blue” by ATARASHII GAKKO!
- Best Viral Song : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Top Japanese Song in Asia : “Lemon” by Kenshi Yonezu
- Top Japanese Song in Europe : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Top Japanese Song in North America : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Top Japanese Song in Latin America : “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- Best of Listeners’ Choice: Japanese Song powered by Spotify : “GOAT” by Number_i
- Special Award: Korean Popular Music : “God of Music” by SEVENTEEN
- Special Award: Chinese Popular Music : “少管我” by Zhou Shen
- Special Award: Thai Popular Music : “ซ่อน(ไม่)หา (Ghost)” by Jeff Satur
- Special Award: Indonesian Popular Music : “Bunga Hati” by Salma Salsabil
- Special Award: Vietnamese Popular Music : “Tái Sinh” by Tùng Dương
- Special Award: Philippine Popular Music : “Raining in Manila” by Lola Amour
- Best International Pop Song in Japan : “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- Best International Rock Song : “feelslikeimfallinginlove” by Coldplay
- Best International Hip Hop/Rap Song in Japan : “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
- Best International R&B/Contemporary Song in Japan : “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” by Ariana Grande
- Best International Alternative Song in Japan : “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish
- Best K-pop Song in Japan : “Ditto” by NewJeans
- Best of Listeners’ Choice: International Song powered by Spotify : “Neva Play (feat. RM of BTS)” by Megan Thee Stallion
- Best Jazz Album : “Step Into Paradise -LIVE IN TOKYO-” by Akiko Yano, Hiromi
- Best Classical Album : “Opus” by Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Best Japanese Song Artist : Mrs. GREEN APPLE
- Best J-Rock Artist : King Gnu
- Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Artist : Creepy Nuts
- Best Japanese R&B/Contemporary Artist : Hikaru Utada
- Best Japanese Dance Pop Artist : ATARASHII GAKKO!
- Best Japanese Alternative Artist : Hitsujibungaku
- Best Japanese Singer-Songwriter : Kaze Fujii
- Best Idol Artist/Group : Snow Man
- MAJ Timeless Echo : Eikichi Yazawa
- Karaoke of the Year: J-Pop powered by DAM & JOYSOUND : “Lilac” by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
- Karaoke of the Year: Enka/Kayokyoku powered by DAM & JOYSOUND : “Showa Katagi” by Yoshimi Tendo
- Oshi-katsu Request: Artist of the Year : Number_i
- Song of the Year for Creators presented by JASRAC : Ayase for “Idol” by YOASOBI
- Largest Live Audience : WEST.
- Honorary Award in Music Technology : Association of Musical Electronics Industry
- Best Radio-Break Song : “Love is more Mellow” by RIKON
- Best Dance/Electronic Song in association with JDDA : “Edison” by WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA
- Best DJ in association with JDDA : DJ Nobu
- Grand Prix Engineer in association with PMRAJ : Eiji Uchimura, Katsutoshi Kitamura
The MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 not only celebrated the achievements of established artists but also highlighted emerging talents, fostering a diverse and vibrant music scene that resonates both domestically and internationally.
