After stepping away from the animation scene, acclaimed director Masaaki Yuasa is officially making a comeback. In February, Yuasa revealed the creation of a new animation studio, ame pippin, based in Tokyo and formed in partnership with Asmik Ace, Aniplex, and CoMix Wave Films. At the time, details about his upcoming projects were kept under wraps — until now.
This week, Yuasa confirmed he will helm Daisy's Life, a joint Japanese-French production developed alongside Miyu Productions, known for Ghost Cat Anzu. The film is based on Hinagiku no Jinsei, a novel by celebrated author Banana Yoshimoto. The story follows Daisy, a six-year-old girl coping with the grief of losing her mother in a tragic accident. One night, she encounters a mysterious girl named Dahlia at her window, sparking a journey across time and space filled with healing and discovery.
Speaking about the project, Yuasa shared his excitement, stating, "Banana Yoshimoto's novel paints vivid images that stay with you. While parts of the story are strikingly eerie, its conclusion is full of happiness, almost like a dream I once had. I want to portray Daisy's small world — a yakisoba restaurant within a hundred-meter radius — as something vast and cosmic."
Joining Yuasa on the project is screenwriter Sachiko Tanaka, known for her work on Before We Vanish and Asako I & II. Additionally, the film's character designs will be crafted by Yoshitomo Nara, the renowned Japanese artist who previously illustrated the novel's original edition.
As of now, the release date for Daisy's Life has yet to be announced.