Classic 90s Anime Martian Successor Nadesico Officially Set for 2027 Return
Image by Charlotte DavisThe classic 1990s sci-fi anime Martian Successor Nadesico is officially returning to cinemas, with its theatrical sequel receiving a limited re-release to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary.
The 1998 movie “Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness” will return to theaters across Japan in 2027, revisiting the darker continuation of the original television series nearly three decades after its theatrical debut.
Martian Successor Nadesico first aired in October 1996 and follows the crew of the experimental battleship Nadesico as they become involved in a war between Earth and an enemy initially known as the Jovian Lizards.
The 26-episode anime combines large-scale mecha battles and science-fiction storytelling with romantic comedy, parody and a colorful cast of characters, including reluctant pilot Akito Tenkawa, ship captain Yurika Misumaru and young computer specialist Ruri Hoshino.
Directed by Tatsuo Sato and produced by animation studio XEBEC, the series became one of the defining sci-fi anime of the late 1990s before receiving a theatrical continuation in August 1998.
“The Prince of Darkness” takes place three years after the television series and follows an older Ruri Hoshino, who has become captain of a new Nadesico spacecraft.
The story centers on a major uprising by the Martian Successors, whose attempted coup threatens humanity and draws several characters from the original anime into another conflict.
Akito also returns under dramatically different circumstances, piloting the heavily armored Black Sarena, which conceals a modified version of his original Aestivalis mecha.
The movie retains director Tatsuo Sato alongside original character designer Kia Asamiya and animation character designer Keiji Gotoh, with XEBEC once again handling production.
Martian Successor Nadesico’s 30th anniversary celebrations have already included several other developments throughout 2026, with a special screening and talk event held at Animate Theater in Tokyo on October 12.
The event featured selected episodes from the original television series alongside appearances by voice actresses Houko Kuwashima and Omi Minami, who portray Yurika Misumaru and Ruri Hoshino respectively.
King Records has also made 12 of the franchise’s original soundtrack and character-song releases available through music streaming services worldwide, accompanied by a new official playlist celebrating the anime’s music.
Fans can also revisit all 26 episodes of the original series for free through the KING AMUSEMENT CREATIVE YouTube channel, with the limited streaming period scheduled to end on October 14, 2026 at 6:29 PM JST.
The movie’s Black Sarena has also inspired several collectibles, including Good Smile Company’s “MODEROID Black Sarena” model kit, which was announced for re-release in 2025.
The kit reproduces the Black Sarena’s removable outer armor and the Aestivalis Custom concealed beneath it, with additional parts allowing both machines to be displayed separately.
Ruri Hoshino also received a new 1/7-scale figure earlier this year based on her appearance in “The Prince of Darkness,” featuring a special VHS-inspired package referencing the era of the original anime.
The limited theatrical re-release of “Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness” is officially scheduled for 2027 across participating cinemas in Japan, with exact screening dates, theater locations and ticket information still to be announced.
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