Directed by Rintarō and written by Katsuhiro Ōtomo based on the manga by Osamu Tezuka, this animated feature film produced by Madhouse returns to theaters in France on December 24, 2025. The voice cast includes Yuka Imoto, Kei Kobayashi, and Kohki Okada. Released in 2001, the film combines science fiction and adventure in a futuristic city ruled by the coexistence of humans and robots.
The plot follows a detective tasked with investigating illegal trafficking in the lower levels of a vast metropolis. His investigation leads him to encounter a marginalized scientist who has designed an android that plays a central role in maintaining the city's balance. The social structure, divided between the elite and the underground, heightens the tension surrounding the Ziggurat project.
As the investigation unfolds, the appearance of the young Tima reveals the existence of a power coveted by several factions. The evolution of the city, torn between advanced technologies and political fragility, guides the narrative to its breaking point.
The official trailer will be added as soon as it is released by the distributor.
The film is adapted from Tezuka's manga, published in the 1940s, according to information provided by the distributor. The screenplay by Katsuhiro Ōtomo continues the exploration of futuristic cities that he also develops in Akira. Rintarō's direction is part of the history of Madhouse studio, which has produced many major Japanese animated films. The national re-release aims to highlight a title known for its retro-futuristic aesthetic and its use of hybrid techniques during its production in 2001.
The tone oscillates between investigation, urban dystopia, and adventure. The target audience includes viewers interested in science fiction, metropolitan universes, and iconic works of Japanese animation.
Metropolis
Film | 2001
Re-release in theaters on December 24, 2025
Animation | Running time: 1h52
By Rintarō | With Yuka Imoto, Kei Kobayashi, Kohki Okada
Nationality: Japan
The re-release brings renewed attention to a landmark work of Japanese animated science fiction, centered on a futuristic city and its social tensions.
To extend your theater experience, check out December's movie releases, films to see right now, and our selection of upcoming science fiction films.
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