To mark the 80th anniversary of World War II, Kazuyoshi Takeda’s acclaimed manga Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise is being adapted into an anime film. Widely regarded alongside Shigeru Mizuki’s Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths and Osamu Tezuka’s Message to Adolf, Takeda’s work is recognized for its unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of war.
Anime Adaptation Announced with Teaser Trailer and Release Date
First revealed in 2021, the anime adaptation of Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise has now released new details and a chilling teaser trailer. The trailer, which offers a glimpse of the film’s intense atmosphere, hints at the harrowing tone of the story, featuring war cries and the sounds of battle, with the camera lingering on the island’s peaceful landscape. The film is scheduled to hit Japanese theaters on December 5, 2025. A U.S. release date has yet to be confirmed.
Produced by Toei Animation, best known for One Piece, the movie will be directed by Goro Kuji, marking his debut as a feature film director. Kuji is joined by Ranma 1/2 screenwriter Junji Nishimura, who co-wrote the script alongside Takeda himself.
The Story Behind Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise
Set in 1944, a pivotal year before the conclusion of World War II, Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise tells the story of a harrowing battle fought between Japanese and American forces on the small Pacific island of Peleliu. The manga follows Tamaru, a Japanese soldier and civilian draftsman, as he witnesses the devastating conflict unfold.
The official synopsis reveals the tragic scope of the story: “The island of Peleliu, a paradise on Earth, becomes a nightmare when the American fleet arrives to invade. Over 50,000 soldiers from both sides clash in a brutal battle for control of a strategically important airport. The American forces, bolstered by 40,000 elite troops, are met by a vastly outnumbered Japanese defense of just 10,000 soldiers, who are ordered to resist until their last breath.”
From Manga to Award-Winning Story
Kazuyoshi Takeda’s Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise was serialized in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine from February 2016 to April 2021, earning widespread acclaim. In 2017, the manga was honored with the Japan Cartoonists Association Excellence Award for its poignant, unrelenting depiction of war.
As the 80th anniversary of WWII approaches, this anime adaptation of Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise promises to bring Takeda’s powerful narrative to a new generation of audiences. With its raw depiction of wartime suffering and the emotional toll of conflict, the anime adaptation is set to be one of the most anticipated films of 2025.
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