Cosmic Princess Kaguya Guide: Music, Themes, and Finale Predictions
Cosmic Princess Kaguya Ending Predictions & Soundtrack Breakdown (Netflix 2026)
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (also seen as Chō Kaguya-hime!) is Netflix’s upcoming original anime film that remixes Japan’s oldest folktale into a neon-bright, music-driven story set partly inside the virtual realm Tsukuyomi. It’s directed by Shingo Yamashita (known for high-impact anime OP direction) and lands worldwide on January 22, 2026.
This post covers two things fans keep hunting for: the ending (what we can responsibly say before release) and the soundtrack (what’s already confirmed, what’s in the trailers, and which songs to watch for).
Quick facts (for fast context)
- Release date: January 22, 2026 (Netflix)
- Director: Shingo Yamashita
- Animation: Studio Colorido x Studio Chromato
- Setting hook: the virtual world “Tsukuyomi” + modern streaming/performances
- Music spotlight: songs created by a lineup of famous Vocaloid-scene producers
Story setup (spoiler-light)
The premise is a near-future spin on The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: a busy high-school student named Iroha finds a mysterious baby emerging from a glowing utility pole (a very “modern bamboo”), and the situation escalates fast. The story expands into Tsukuyomi, an online virtual space where performance, identity, and “being seen” are everything.
If you like anime where the music isn’t decoration but the engine of the plot, this one is being positioned as a “live performance”-style experience—songs and staging are part of how characters connect, compete, and choose who they want to become.
Ending explained: what’s confirmed vs. what’s speculation (as of Jan 20, 2026)
As of January 20, 2026, Cosmic Princess Kaguya has not premiered yet (it releases on January 22, 2026). That means: any “ending explained” content online right now is either (a) guessing from trailers, (b) retelling the original folktale ending, or (c) leaks/rumors (not reliable, and often wrong).
What we can do safely is map the most likely ending shapes based on (1) the classic Kaguya story and (2) the themes Netflix has already emphasized: virtual identity, performance, and an emotionally loaded “farewell” energy.
The original folktale ending (why fans expect a bittersweet finale)
In the traditional Kaguya-hime tale, Kaguya ultimately returns to the Moon, leaving behind the people who grew to love her. It’s a famously bittersweet ending: the whole story feels like a warm, human life briefly touched by something cosmic—then taken away.
What Reddit Theories Say About Kaguya’s Final Choice
Across early discussion threads, a common “most-likely” theory is that the film will keep the emotional core of the folktale—Kaguya must leave—but translate it into the language of this project: livestream fame, digital selves, and a virtual stage that can feel more real than real life.
The most convincing theory pattern is: Tsukuyomi isn’t just a setting—it’s a pressure cooker. If Kaguya’s identity becomes inseparable from performance, the ending may ask whether she’s choosing freedom… or being “claimed” by a system (or a destiny) that’s bigger than her.
Another popular theory thread: the film may treat “the Moon” as the place that owns the legend—the old story’s gravity—while Tsukuyomi represents the place where she can rewrite herself. That sets up a final act where “happy ending” doesn’t mean “stays on Earth,” but “chooses her own story,” even if the goodbye still happens.
Soundtrack overview: why this lineup is a big deal
Netflix and partner coverage have been very clear that the music is the point—not a side dish. The project features a stacked group of creators known for shaping internet-era Japanese pop and Vocaloid culture, including names like ryo (supercell), HoneyWorks, 40mP, kz (livetune), Aqu3ra, and yuigot.
Confirmed key songs (what we know before the film drops)
| Song | Role in project | Composer/Producer | Performed by (character/VA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Otogibanashi | Main theme | ryo (supercell) | Yachiyo (Saori Hayami) |
| Watashiha Watashinokotoga Suki (I like who I am) | Featured/in-film song (short ver. MV released) | HoneyWorks | Kaguya (Yuko Natsuyoshi) |
| Shunkan, Symphony. (Moment, Symphony.) | Featured/in-film song | 40mP | Performed in-film (announced) |
| Reply | Song (announced) | kz (livetune) | Performed in-film (announced) |
| Hoshi Furu Umi (Starry Sea) | Song (announced rollout) | Aqu3ra | Performed in-film (announced) |
| Remember | Song (announced rollout) | yuigot | Performed in-film (announced) |
Even if you don’t recognize every name: the big takeaway is that each producer has a distinct “internet music” fingerprint, so the soundtrack is likely to move between bright idol-pop, emotional festival melodies, and futuristic club textures—matching Tsukuyomi’s vibe.
How the soundtrack may tie into the ending (the “why it matters” part)
Here’s the trick music anime can pull when it’s done well: a song isn’t just a song—it’s a decision. A “debut” track can mean “I exist now.” A duet can mean “I choose you.” And a final performance can be a goodbye that words can’t carry.
With Ex-Otogibanashi positioned as a main theme and with multiple in-film songs announced, the most likely structure is that the story builds toward a climactic stage sequence where the emotional truth of the ending lands through performance. If the film keeps the folktale’s DNA, expect the soundtrack to move from bright “arrival” energy to a more aching, reflective tone near the end.
What Reddit Theories Say About the Soundtrack
One of the earliest fan reactions (especially from longtime Vocaloid listeners) is that the project feels like a love letter to internet music history—right down to hearing familiar motifs/remix energy in promotional footage. The “Vocaloid producer lineup” angle is the thing people keep coming back to because it makes this movie feel less like a typical anime film and more like a full-scale music event.
Instagram check-in: the vibe fans are sharing
Related content if you’re on a Kaguya kick
- The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: reading a quick summary helps you spot what the film is likely to remix.
- Studio Colorido films: if you like their character warmth + big visual swings, this is in that lane.
- Shingo Yamashita OP work: watching a few of his openings is the fastest way to “get” the camera energy people expect here.
- Vocaloid producer essentials: even a short playlist of ryo (supercell), HoneyWorks, kz (livetune), and 40mP makes the soundtrack choices click harder.
Final note (so expectations stay clean)
If you see “ending spoilers” before January 22, 2026, treat them cautiously. The safest bet is: the film will likely aim for a bittersweet, chosen-ending vibe—honoring the original Kaguya legend while reframing it through Tsukuyomi’s virtual stage and a soundtrack built to carry big emotions.