The acclaimed romantic comedy anime Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is set to receive its definitive conclusion with a brand-new theatrical film, officially positioned as the final chapter of the series. An announcement teaser revealed that the project is an entirely new film based on a "fresh concept" by series creator Aka Akasaka.
Developed over more than four years in close collaboration between Akasaka and the anime production staff, this original story serves as a direct sequel to the television special Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Otona e no Kaidan (translated as Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - The Stairway to Adulthood), which premiered in Japan on December 31, 2025. Akasaka has expressed that crafting this addition to a story he once considered complete was both challenging and rewarding, aiming to deliver an experience that feels "new yet nostalgic." He has indicated that this film is likely to mark the true end of the Kaguya-sama franchise.
The Kaguya-sama: Love Is War manga, written and illustrated by Aka Akasaka, originally serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump from 2015 to 2022, spanning 28 volumes. It follows the prideful student council presidents Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane at the prestigious Shuchiin Academy as they engage in elaborate psychological schemes to force the other to confess their feelings first. The series gained immense popularity for its witty dialogue, sharp character development, and clever subversion of romantic comedy tropes.
The anime adaptation, produced by A-1 Pictures, debuted in 2019 with its first season, followed by a second in 2020 and a third, subtitled Ultra Romantic, in 2022. A theatrical film, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - The First Kiss That Never Ends, released in December 2022, adapting a significant post-season 3 arc before later airing as a four-episode television broadcast. The recent TV special advanced the narrative further, exploring the characters' steps into adulthood.
Unlike previous anime entries that faithfully adapted the manga, this upcoming film introduces an entirely original narrative crafted specifically for the screen. No release date or additional staff details have been confirmed yet, but the project continues under the oversight of Akasaka, ensuring alignment with his vision for the characters' ultimate resolution.
The series has been celebrated for its blend of humor, romance, and intellectual battles, influencing numerous subsequent works in the genre. With the manga concluded and prior anime arcs covered, this final film represents a unique opportunity to provide closure beyond the source material's ending.
Where to Watch the Kaguya-sama Special
The television special Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Otona e no Kaidan (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - The Stairway to Adulthood), which directly leads into the announced final chapter film, is available for streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll offers the special with English subtitles, making it accessible to international audiences shortly after its Japanese broadcast on December 31, 2025. This allows viewers worldwide to follow the ongoing story of Kaguya, Miyuki, and the rest of the Shuchiin cast as they navigate new challenges in their lives post-graduation.
In addition to the special, Crunchyroll hosts the entire Kaguya-sama: Love Is War series, including all three seasons and the previous theatrical film, providing a complete viewing experience leading up to the upcoming finale.
Crunchyroll's description of the Kaguya-sama special:
From a good family? Check! A good personality? Check! Shuchiin Academy is where all these elite students with bright futures flock to. As the two leaders of the student council, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane have supposedly fallen in love… But after almost half a year, nothing has happened!? They both have too much pride and can’t be honest. Things have gotten troublesome, and they are now caught in a war of "How to get the other to confess their love first.
This is a whole new romantic comedy, following an outbreak of cunning warfare between two elite students in love."
