The UK anime community has something extraordinary to look forward to in 2026, as Anime Limited—the Glasgow-based distributor now operating as a subsidiary of Toho Global—has unveiled an ambitious theatrical slate that combines groundbreaking new releases with beloved classics. According to Anime News Network, this comprehensive lineup represents one of the most extensive anime cinema programs the UK market has seen in recent years, featuring everything from the latest Lupin III adventure to timeless masterpieces that shaped the anime industry.
The announcement, posted on Anime Limited’s AllTheAnime website, signals the distributor’s continued commitment to bringing Japanese animation to British audiences on the big screen. With over a decade of experience cultivating theatrical audiences for anime in the UK, Anime Limited has built a reputation for curating thoughtful cinema experiences that honor both contemporary hits and the genre-defining works that paved the way for anime’s global popularity.
New Releases Headline the 2026 Slate
Leading the charge is Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline, the latest entry in one of Japan’s most enduring anime franchises. Directed by Takeshi Koike, the visionary filmmaker behind the cult favorite Redline, this hard-boiled action film marks the first traditionally-animated solo Lupin the Third feature in three decades. The film brings Koike’s signature kinetic visual style to an all-new, action-packed caper that sees the legendary gentleman thief fighting for his life against past enemies and a mysterious immortal being who threatens to destroy his legacy.
The film has already made waves internationally, having premiered at various festivals throughout 2025, including Scotland Loves Anime. With GKIDS handling the North American release in January 2026, Anime Limited’s UK theatrical run ensures British fans won’t miss this stylish addition to the Lupin universe. Koike’s distinctive approach to animation, characterized by fluid motion and bold artistic choices, promises to deliver a theatrical experience that demands to be seen on the big screen.
Studio 4°C’s Time Loop Thriller Arrives in UK Cinemas
Another major highlight is All You Need Is Kill, Studio 4°C’s adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s acclaimed science fiction light novel. This property may sound familiar to Western audiences—it served as the source material for the 2014 Hollywood blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. However, this anime adaptation takes a completely different approach, telling the story from a fresh perspective under the direction of first-time feature director Kenichiro Akimoto.
The film centers on a soldier trapped in a time loop during humanity’s war against alien invaders, forced to relive the same deadly battle repeatedly. Studio 4°C, known for their groundbreaking work on films like Tekkonkinkreet and Mind Game, brings their distinctive artistic sensibility to this exploration of war, sacrifice, and the human cost of conflict. The studio’s reputation for bold animation and willingness to take creative risks makes this adaptation particularly intriguing for anime enthusiasts looking for something that pushes the medium’s boundaries.
Rare Classics Return to the Big Screen
Perhaps the most exciting inclusion for cinephiles and anime historians is Angel’s Egg, Mamoru Oshii’s enigmatic 1985 fantasy masterpiece. This rarely-screened film, created in collaboration with legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano (known for his work on Final Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D), has achieved near-mythical status among anime fans due to its limited availability and profound artistic vision.
Angel’s Egg is a nearly dialogue-free meditation on faith, existence, and symbolism, following a young girl who protects a mysterious egg in a desolate, dreamlike world. The film beautifully intertwines Oshii’s thematic explorations of philosophy and theology with Amano’s distinctive ink painting style, creating an arrestingly beautiful hand-drawn allegorical fantasy. Originally released directly to home video in 1985, the film bombed commercially and reportedly left Oshii without work for several years. However, it has since been reappraised as a surreal masterpiece and a landmark of experimental anime.
The UK theatrical release will feature a 4K restoration supervised by director Oshii himself, marking a rare opportunity for British audiences to experience this cult classic on the big screen. GKIDS released the restoration in North American cinemas in late 2025 to critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising the film’s timeless visual poetry and haunting atmosphere.
Legendary Anime Films Get Theatrical Reissues
Anime Limited is also planning theatrical reissues of two of the most important anime films ever made. Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 cyberpunk masterpiece, will return to UK cinemas, allowing both longtime fans and newcomers to experience its groundbreaking animation and dystopian vision on the big screen. The film’s influence on anime, science fiction cinema, and global pop culture cannot be overstated—its detailed hand-drawn animation, complex narrative, and striking visual design set new standards for what anime could achieve.
Equally significant is the planned reissue of Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies, Isao Takahata’s devastating 1988 wartime drama. Roger Ebert called it “an emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation” and one of “the greatest war films ever made.” The semi-autobiographical story of two orphans struggling to survive in the final days of World War II remains one of cinema’s most powerful anti-war statements, transcending the boundaries of animation to deliver a profoundly human story of loss, resilience, and the cost of conflict.
Both films were released in 1988, the same year that many consider anime’s artistic zenith, and their inclusion in Anime Limited’s 2026 slate offers audiences a chance to revisit—or discover for the first time—two works that fundamentally shaped the medium.
Additional Titles Round Out the Lineup
The slate also includes several other noteworthy releases. ChaO and The Last Blossom, the latter being Baku Kinoshita’s life-affirming crime drama, represent contemporary voices in anime filmmaking. Additionally, Anime Limited will release Godzilla Minus Zero, the sequel to Takashi Yamazaki’s Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One. While technically a live-action monster film rather than anime, its inclusion demonstrates Anime Limited’s broader commitment to bringing exceptional Japanese cinema to UK audiences.
A Strategic Vision for UK Anime Distribution
This ambitious 2026 slate comes at a significant moment for Anime Limited. In December 2025, Toho Co., Ltd. completed its acquisition of the distributor, making it a full subsidiary of Toho Global. This partnership builds on years of successful collaboration on titles like Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name and Weathering With You, as well as Studio TRIGGER’s Promare.
Founded in 2012 by Andrew Partridge, Anime Limited has spent over a decade building audiences for Japanese cinema in the UK and beyond. The company has played a crucial role in elevating anime from niche interest to mainstream cultural phenomenon, particularly through theatrical releases that have broken box office records. Their release of One Piece Film Red, for instance, shattered multiple UK and Irish box office records and became the first Asian film to win Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.
The theatrical approach has proven particularly effective for anime, which often benefits from the communal viewing experience and the enhanced visual impact of cinema presentation. Anime Limited’s strategy of combining new releases with classic reissues ensures that both longtime fans and newcomers can engage with the medium’s rich history while staying current with contemporary developments.
The Future of Anime in UK Cinemas
While specific release dates for most titles were initially mentioned on the Film Distributors Association website, Anime News Network learned that at least some of these dates were incorrect, and they have since been removed from official announcements. Anime Limited has indicated that detailed release information, including specific dates and participating cinema locations, will be announced throughout 2026.
This comprehensive slate represents more than just a business strategy—it’s a celebration of anime’s diversity and cultural significance. From the stylish action of Lupin the IIIrd to the experimental artistry of Angel’s Egg, from the groundbreaking influence of Akira to the emotional devastation of Grave of the Fireflies, the 2026 lineup offers something for every type of anime enthusiast.
For UK anime fans, this announcement is a reminder of how far the medium has come in terms of theatrical accessibility. What was once a rarity—seeing anime on the big screen outside of specialized festivals—has become an increasingly regular occurrence, thanks in large part to distributors like Anime Limited who recognize the value of the theatrical experience.
As we move through 2026, anime enthusiasts across the UK will have unprecedented opportunities to experience both new and classic works in the format they deserve. Whether you’re a longtime Lupin fan eager to see Koike’s latest vision, a cinephile curious about Oshii’s experimental masterpiece, or simply someone who wants to understand why Akira changed animation forever, Anime Limited’s theatrical slate promises to deliver unforgettable cinema experiences throughout the year.