The animated action fantasy film The Ribbon Hero premiered exclusively on Netflix on August 8, 2026, bringing Osamu Tezuka's classic manga Princess Knight to streaming audiences.
The feature adapts the story created by manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka, following a young princess forced to conceal her identity while defending her kingdom as a masked swordsman.
Netflix's official anime channel announced the title's premiere on August 2, 2026, confirming that the story of a journey to find a new home would arrive on the service on August 8.
Royal secrets in Silverland
The story takes place in the prosperous kingdom of Silverland, where Princess Sapphire is born under extraordinary circumstances.
Due to a celestial prank played by the angel Tink in heaven, Sapphire enters the world with two hearts, possessing both the heart of a boy and the heart of a girl.
Silverland enforces strict royal succession laws that prohibit a woman from occupying the throne. To stop the villainous Duke Duralumin from usurping power, Sapphire's royal family raises her as a prince.
The masked vigilante
Maintaining a double life creates constant risk at court. While keeping her true identity secret from royal officials, Sapphire works in secret to protect innocent citizens throughout the realm.
Her undercover crusade gives rise to the legend of The Ribbon Hero, a mysterious masked vigilante who wears a signature ribbon and wields a rapier in combat.
As The Ribbon Hero, Sapphire fights against injustice and tyranny while confronting the dark schemes of enemies who endanger the peace of Silverland.
Origins of Princess Knight
The feature originates from Osamu Tezuka's manga Princess Knight, published in Japan under the title Ribbon no Kishi. Tezuka, often recognized as the father of modern manga, created the foundational series in the 1950s.
The new animated film brings Tezuka's classic tale of fantasy, swordplay, and royal intrigue to global streaming audiences.
