Scotland Loves Anime Reveals 2026 Line-Up.

Scotland loves a lot of things. Irn-Bru, deep-fried Mars Bars and supporting whichever team is playing against England in the football. And according to the long-running festival, Scotland Loves Anime. For more than a decade, the annual celebration of theatrical Japanese animation has given UK anime fans the chance to see the latest anime on the big screen. The festival was founded by Andrew Partridge, founder of Scotland-based UK anime label Anime Limited. The screenings take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh and now south of the border in London between November 6-22. This year's line-up has been released, as tickets go on sale for the Glasgow leg.

Cocoon- One Summer Of Girlhood is a story of how the Second World War devastates the lives of two young friends living on a tranquil island. Adapted from the manga by Machiko Kyo, Cocoon is the directorial debut of Yukimitsu Ina and the first film from new studio SASAYURI, founded by former Studio Ghibli animator Hitomi Tateno. The film is brought to life by a mix of veteran animators and a new generation of talent. The 60-minute feature will screen alongside a special documentary.

Shingo Natsume's sci-fi feature Ghost will receive its UK premiere at the festival. Produced by the storied studio Madhouse, it takes place in the near future, where the memories of the dead become stars. Drawn to one particular star, Neeki finds Mass, a man defined by loss.

Grotesqqque is an anthology of films, directed by Atsushi Nishigori and produced by Cloverworks. Described as featuring "three distorted, uneven yet endlessly beautiful episodes" that "blend together like a chimera, bursting forth with fresh, soul-stirring original music."

A New Dawn is the story of Keitarô, who lives in an abandoned factory, once surrounded by lush forest, now redeveloped with solar panels. With the factory scheduled for demolition, Keitarô, along with his brother and friend, aims to launch his late father's firework. Yoshitoshi Shinomiya directs this new feature from Asmik Ace.

Samurai Ballerina is the story of two girls from Japan living in Paris in the early 20th Century. One dreams of being a painter, the other wants to be a ballerina. Can they both achieve their dreams, even with the odds stacked against them?  Directed by Gorou Taniguchi.

Shiranui is a 35-minute short film from Your Name producers Comix Wave Films. It follows a 10-year-old boy who prays to the mysterious light Shiranui and unwittingly unleashes a curse. Ryo Katanozaka directs.

Tokoyoite Reito lands himself in prison in The Keeper Of The Camphor Tree. Offered a way out by the lawyer for a wealthy family, on the condition that he takes on the mysterious role of the keeper of the Camphor Tree. Sword Art Online director Tomohiko Ito reteams with A-1 Pictures for an original anime feature.

The Obsessed is an anime movie musical from director Wataru Takahashi and Shin-Ei Animation. Giuseppe is someone who moves from one obsession to the next, with each one taking over his whole life. That is until he meets Pechka, a quiet balloon seller from a distant land with sadness in her heart. Giuseppe's newest obsession is to try to make Pechka smile. He might have finally found a reason to stay.

In To You In The Beyond, Kazuki Tsukigase transfers to a High School on a remote island. The island is home to the mysterious "Cove of Spiriting Away", where rumour has it several people have disappeared. One summer day, Kazuki finds an unconscious girl lying in the cove and takes her to a local hospital. When she awakens, she has no memory of her identity or origins. Kazuki learns her name is Nanao and soon becomes involved in the quest to uncover her true identity and the secrets of the island. Based on the Light Novel of the same name by Akiko Abe, the movie is directed by Junichi Wada and produced by TMS Entertainment.

Fresh from its big wins at Ottawa International Animation Festival, Kouhei Kadowaki's We Are Aliens lands for its UK premiere. Produced by the studio Nothing New, the film depicts the friendship between two boys, Tsubasa and Akitaro, across the course of 30 years. After their friendship is altered by an act of betrayal, it shapes their lives into adulthood. And no, there are no actual aliens in it. This French-Japanese coproduction made its debut at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Chimney Town: Frozen In Time is Studio 4°C's new sequel to Poupelle Of Chimney Town. Set a year after chimney sweep Lubicchi freed his home town from a cloud of smoke- and since his best friend Poupelle disappeared- it sees Lubicchi transported to a mysterious world. Yusuke Hirota, director of the first film, returned to helm the follow-up. The original Poupelle of Chimney Town will also be screening at SLA.

As is traditional, the brand new films will be joined by several classics, giving both first-timers and old fans the chance to see them on the big screen. Arguably THE anime classic, Akira is screening in its 4K restoration, looking better than ever. Also receiving a 4K glow-up, Yoshiaki Kawajiri's 90s classic Ninja Scroll will also be screened at the festival.  Rounding out this year's selection, Makoto Shinkai's time-bending teen romance Your Name and Naoko Yamada and Kyoto Animation's A Silent Voice screen in celebration of their 10th anniversary.

Scotland Loves Anime runs at Glasgow Film Theatre from November 6-8. Tickets and passes are on sale now. The London leg takes place at Picturehouse Central London from November 13-15. Finally, the Edinburgh screenings are at Cameo Picturehouse Edinburgh and Edinburgh Filmhouse between November 16-22.

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