Toei Films has confirmed the upcoming release of the third anime feature film in the “Butt Detective” (Oshiri Tantei) franchise. Titled Eiga Oshiri Tantei: Star and Moon (Butt Detective the Movie: Star and Moon), the film is set to open in Japan on March 20, 2025.
Film Plot and Characters
The new movie will follow Butt Detective as he embarks on a new investigation. When a relative of Koala goes missing during an idol contest, Butt Detective is called upon to solve the case. His journey leads him to Stardust Island, the site of the contest, and the headquarters of the notorious Phantom Thief Academy. This criminal organization, led by the enigmatic Phantom Thief G, is secretly advancing a dark and dangerous conspiracy known as the “Dark Age Plan.”
Disguised as an idol, Butt Detective infiltrates the island, where he joins forces with Phantom Thief U, a character determined to recover the valuable Moonlight Stone from Phantom Thief G. The plot will also delve into the backstory of Brown, a key character in the franchise.
Creative Team and Theme Song
The film is directed by Hiroki Shibata, who has helmed previous entries in the Butt Detective series. The script has been written by Shoji Yonemura, who has contributed to many of the show’s episodes. Music for the film is composed by Hiroshi Takaki, while Hideaki Maniwa serves as the character designer and chief animation director. Yuunosuke Komamizu is credited as the production supervisor, with Kiminori Yoshida handling the editing and Hiroki Sawamura overseeing sound recording. Additionally, Ryūta Nakahara will manage the sound effects, while Ryūtarō Matsuda is responsible for art direction. Aya Mori is the color key artist, and Hideki Chiba will serve as the compositing director of photography.
The theme song for Eiga Oshiri Tantei: Star and Moon is “Kawaiitte Magic” (Cuteness is Magic), performed by the music group Fruits Zipper.
Franchise Background
The Butt Detective anime series debuted in May 2018 with three episodes aired on NHK Educational. Following its initial success, a series of additional episodes aired later that year, culminating in a regular television slot beginning in December 2018. New episodes continued to air, with 13 new episodes debuting in April 2021.
The franchise’s first feature film, Eiga Oshiri Tantei Shiriarty, was released in March 2021, followed by the second film, Eiga Oshiri Tantei Saraba Itoshiki Aibō (Oshiri) yo, which opened in theaters in March 2024.
Based on the picture books by Troll, the Butt Detective series has become a popular cultural phenomenon in Japan. Since its first release in 2012, the franchise has sold over 9 million copies of its books. It has also inspired a stage musical and a Nintendo Switch game that launched in November 2021.
The new film continues to build on the success of the Butt Detective brand, attracting audiences with its blend of mystery, humor, and adventure
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