A main trailer for GROTESQQQUE, the upcoming anime anthology film from Atsushi Nishigori (Darling in the Franxx director and co-series composer et al., The Idolmaster director and character designer et al.) and CloverWorks, has been released. This first good look at the anthology’s three visually distinct shorts includes a preview of the opening theme song “Shoot Shoot Shoot” by METALVERSE, and reveals its November 6 release date in Japan.

There also more details about the shorts. “A(E)LIENS,” which features a bright and cheery aesthetic, will follow an alien girl called Elie, who comes to Earth as a goodwill ambassador. Elie looks for “friends” while accompanied by the space bureau’s Kento Kunihara, buter experience is complicated by distrust from the humans and the appearance of a hostile alien. Nishigori is directing this short, which stars Kana Ichinose and Gen Hoshino, with Masato Anno (Flying Witch) as main character designer. 

“YOROSHIKU★Girl” features the neon-lit city of GALs TOKYO, where a group of girls with nowhere to go seek to become the victor, or “Queen,” of a game called Queen of Butterfly. The truant Stella dedicates herself to the game after hearing of an urban legend, and comes across an unknown girl with incredible strength. Takahiro Miura (Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]) is directing the short with character designs from tarou2 and action direction from Isao Hayashi. The cast members are Sara Minami, Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Maaya Uchida, Chika Anzai, Miyu Tomita, Rumi Okubo, and Rie Kugimiya.

Finally, “NOCTURNE: NUIT GROTESQUE” is a post-apocalyptic vampire tale about the pure-blooded vampire Ayame and three girls who survived by having their blood sucked by her. Nishigori is the director and character designer, while the cast comprises Nogizaka46 members Miku Ichinose, Nagi Inoue, Nao Tomisato, and Aruno Nakanishi.

All three shorts have color designs by Kazuko Nakajima (Wonder Egg Priority, 7FATES: CHAKHO short film). Yuya Sakuma (7FATES: CHAKHO short film, Bocchi the Rock! live lighting director) is credited as compositing director for “A(E)LIENS” and “NOCTURNE: NUIT GROTESQUE.”

GROTESQQQUE was supposed to make its debut in 2025 before a delay was announced last July. Fantasia Film Festival 2026, which runs from July 16 to August 2, will host the anime’s world premiere. The festival describes GROTESQQQUE as such:

This electrifying film embodies Nishigori’s ambition to create something he is passionate about, with as much passion as he wants. Comprised of three episodes—“A(E)LIENS”, “YOROSHIKU★Girl”, and “NOCTURNE: NUIT GROTESQUE”—these distorted, uneven, yet infinitely beautiful stories melt and blend together like a chimera, galvanized into motion by the enthralling original score accompanying the film. A pop and edgy fusion of imagery and sound creating a unique world pulsing at the seams. Aliens, gyarus (gals), vampires… A story of “GROTESQQQUE” girls created by Atsushi Nishigori is about to unfold… World Premiere

Source: Aniplex Channel