In a burst of fluttering pages and shadowy intrigue, the anime film Whoever Steals This Book has unveiled its main trailer, plunging viewers into a world where stolen tomes unleash ancient curses on a book-obsessed town. Directed by Shinichiro Ushijima (A Whisker Away, Drifting Home), the feature-length project promises a whimsical blend of fantasy and adventure, drawing from the beloved manga series by Hiroyuki Asada. Production is helmed by CloverWorks, the studio behind hits like The Promised Neverland and Wonder Egg Priority, ensuring a visually stunning realization of the story's magical library world.
Scheduled for a theatrical release in Japan on December 26, 2025, Whoever Steals This Book marks Fukuoka's feature directing debut after his work on acclaimed series episodes. The screenplay is penned by Yasuhiro Nakanishi (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Shadows House), who infuses the adaptation with emotional depth, exploring themes of inheritance, self-discovery, and the transformative power of stories—even for those who resist them. Character designs come from veteran illustrator Uki Atsuya (Bloom Into You), whose soft, expressive lines capture the novel's cozy yet eerie aesthetic. Music supervision falls to Evan Call (Violet Evergarden), promising a soundtrack that weaves nostalgic melodies with pulse-pounding crescendos to mirror the film's tonal shifts.
Adding to the excitement, the production team has revealed the full lineup of seven key voice actors, handpicked to bring the Mikura family and their quirky circle to life. This ensemble features a mix of established stars and rising voices, ensuring nuanced performances that elevate the story's heartfelt moments and high-stakes chases alike.
Rin Kataoka as Mifuyu Mikura
Sora Tamaki as Mashiro
Nao Toyama as Hirune Mikura
Junichi Suwabe as Ayumu Mikura
Shizuka Ito as Keiko Yosano
Shinba Tsuchiya as Takafumi Haruta
Romi Park as Tamaki Mikura
The trailer also features the theme song Share by YUKI, known for her work on the Dance Dance Danseur opening, which adds an energetic pop-rock layer to the film's emotional swells.
Here is the main key visual for Whoever Steals This Book film:
What is Whoever Steals This Book about?
Originally published by Kadokawa Shoten in October 2020, with a paperback edition released under its Kadokawa Bunko imprint in June 2023, Nowaki Fukamidori's Whoever Steals This Book captivated readers with its inventive premise set in a bibliophilic haven threatened by folklore-tinged peril. The novel, nominated for the 2021 Japan Booksellers' Award, blends fantasy and mystery, celebrating literature's allure while poking gentle fun at its more obsessive devotees.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Kakeru Sora was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine from December 2021 to March 2023, compiled into three volumes and licensed in English by Yen Press. The story's unique world-building, where stolen books drag their thieves and reluctant heroes into narrative chaos, blends humor, horror, and heart, resonating with young adult audiences. Its anime adaptation was announced in June 2025..
The film's plot draws directly from this foundation, as detailed in Yen Press's official English synopsis:
Descended from a long line of book collectors, high school student Mifuyu is surrounded by books in every aspect of her life. Her great-grandfather established the famous Mikura Hall, a library in the heart of town, and even the townspeople are all avid readers. There’s just one problem—Mifuyu hates books! But when a thief in Mikura Hall triggers an ancient curse, she’s left with no choice but to reclaim the stolen books herself…by entering the very stories she despises! With the help of the mysterious Mashiro, will she be able to restore her great-grandfather’s collection and save her town from a magical doom?
As the Decmeber premiere approaches, Whoever Steals This Book positions itself as a fresh entry in the wave of manga-to-film adaptations, appealing to fans of introspective fantasies like The Ancient Magus' Bride or Spirited Away. With its trailer already amassing views and the cast's star power, the film is poised to enchant theatergoers, proving once again that the right story can turn even the most steadfast non-reader into a believer.
Source: Comic Natalie
