The Ribbon Hero brings Osamu Tezuka’s Princess Knight back to the screen through a new fantasy adventure built around Sapphire, a princess who survives the destruction of Silverland and discovers the courage to protect another kingdom. Netflix is releasing the Japanese animated movie worldwide on August 8, 2026, with comedian Saya leading a cast that combines experienced voice actors, performers and virtual creators.
The film arrives during a busy period for animation fans. Viewers following Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle or Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters cast and character guide may find another visually ambitious fantasy story here, although The Ribbon Hero is directly inspired by Tezuka’s classic Princess Knight manga.
The Ribbon Hero cast at a glance
| Voice actor | Character | Character guide |
|---|---|---|
| Saya | Sapphire | The lost princess of Silverland who becomes the Ribbon Hero |
| Seiran Kobayashi | Pine | A key young character in Goldland |
| Koki Uchiyama | Velvet | A Goldland noble connected to the resistance against Nergal |
| Mayumi Shintani | Zirco | Sapphire’s loyal companion and lady-in-waiting |
| Yoshimasa Hosoya | Rock | A supporting character in Sapphire’s new world |
| Mito Tsukino | Hecate | A character introduced in the film’s fantasy ensemble |
| Yusuke Tezuka | Chorogy | A supporting character |
| Lunlun | Chick | A supporting character |
| Debidebi Debiru | Tack | A supporting character |
| Haruhiko Jo | The Pope | A senior authority figure |
Saya voices Princess Sapphire
Saya voices Sapphire, the emotional and heroic centre of the movie. Sapphire begins the story as the princess of Silverland, but the monstrous disaster known as Nergal destroys her homeland. She reaches Goldland carrying grief, guilt and the fear that the same catastrophe could happen again. Her ribbon is more than a costume detail: it becomes the symbol of her decision to resist fate and protect people who have offered her a new home.
Seiran Kobayashi voices Pine
Seiran Kobayashi plays Pine. Official materials place Pine among the central Goldland characters who become part of Sapphire’s new life. The character helps expand the movie beyond a simple origin story by showing what Sapphire is fighting to save after losing Silverland.
Koki Uchiyama voices Velvet
Koki Uchiyama voices Velvet, a nobleman in Goldland who is closely watching Sapphire’s transformation. Velvet is interested in freeing the kingdom from Nergal’s control, which makes him an important political and action-oriented figure in the story.
Mayumi Shintani voices Zirco
Mayumi Shintani voices Zirco, Sapphire’s lady-in-waiting and one of the few people who shares the princess’s memories of Silverland. Zirco provides continuity between Sapphire’s lost past and her uncertain future, while also grounding the story’s larger fantasy conflict in a personal relationship.
The supporting voice cast
Yoshimasa Hosoya voices Rock, Mito Tsukino voices Hecate, Yusuke Tezuka voices Chorogy, Lunlun voices Chick and Debidebi Debiru voices Tack. Haruhiko Jo plays the Pope. Netflix’s official cast page also lists all of these performers, confirming that the film has a larger ensemble than the three names highlighted on its main title card.
For more animation coverage, see the site’s guide to the Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 cast and the updated list of best sci-fi movies on Netflix.
What is The Ribbon Hero about?
After Nergal reduces Silverland to ruins, Sapphire escapes to Goldland. The kindness of its people gives her a reason to hope again, but Nergal soon threatens her new home. Rather than run from another disaster, Sapphire takes up a sword, ties her ribbon and chooses to fight. The movie uses the basic legacy of Princess Knight while presenting a new adventure designed as a standalone Netflix anime film.
When is The Ribbon Hero released?
The Ribbon Hero streams exclusively on Netflix on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Availability times may differ by region, but Netflix original films normally become available globally on the announced date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saya, from the comedy duo Lalande, voices Princess Sapphire and her heroic alter ego.
Yes. The official production credits identify Osamu Tezuka’s Princess Knight as the original concept, although the 2026 film tells a new version of Sapphire’s story.
Koki Uchiyama voices Velvet, the Goldland noble who becomes interested in Sapphire and the fight against Nergal.