Any serious devotee of Tom Cruise’s best movie, Edge of Tomorrow (aka Live Die Repeat), knows that it’s based on a Japanese light novel called All You Need Is Kill. But for fans of the time-looping, Groundhog Day-like sci-fi narrative who haven’t yet pored over Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s original story, they’ll soon have another option to savor it: a gorgeous anime adaptation of All You Need Is Kill.
Warner Bros. and Studio4°C’s upcoming animated version of All You Need Is Kill will offer a slightly different perspective on the story. Instead of framing the time-loop war from the perspective of protagonist Keiji (or Cruise’s Cage), the anime focuses on Rita’s roguelike experience of the invasion against alien invaders.
A new trailer for the All You Need Is Kill anime offers a bit of story, some peppy tunes, and a whole lot of vibes. Studio4°C and director Kenichiro Akimoto give the bleak sci-fi story a much more colorful and energetic aesthetic than Doug Liman’s live-action adaptation, led by Cruise and Emily Blunt.
Here’s the film’s official description:
After invasion by unknown creature, Rita finds herself trapped in a time loop. Every time she dies, she wakes up again on the same morning. Determined to fight, she grows stronger with each loop – but the weight of endless death wears her down. Then she meets Keiji, who says, “When you die, I return, too…” Together, they begin to carve out a new future. “Escape it!?” “We have to give it a try!” But what awaits them is a cruel fate, they must choose the one who will survive… An action-fantasy sci-fi spectacle brought to life with STUDIO4℃’s stunning, dynamic visuals!
All You Need Is Kill features the voices of Ai Mikami as Rita and Natsuki Hanae, who anime fans will recognize from Demon Slayer and Dandadan, as Keiji.
All You Need Is Kill hits Japanese theaters on Jan. 9, 2026. In a post on the film’s social media account, fans were told to “stay tuned” for a global release alongside the release of a striking new visual.
