The successful Zombie Land Saga franchise is about to take fans on a new heavenly adventure with its first animated film, Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (or Dream Galactic Paradise). The production has just been given an electrifying climax trailer, further raising anticipation for its theatrical release. Confirmed for October 24, 2025, the feature film promises to expand Saga’s idol-zombie universe with the introduction of a new character, played by renowned voice actor Daisuke Ono (famous for Jujutsu Kaisen and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), who will give life to Naomasa Amabuki. This announcement marks a turning point for the series, which has been winning over audiences since 2018 with its unique blend of comedy, heartwarming and heavy metal.
Trailer Analysis: What to Expect from Celestial Adventure?
The newly released climax trailer offers more than just a glimpse of the plot; it hints at a change in scale and ambition for the franchise. The images indicate that the idol-zombies of Franchouchou may embark on an adventure that literally leaves the confines of Saga Prefecture, heading for a cosmic or extreme fantasy setting, which justifies the subtitle “Galactic Paradise of Dreams”. Quick scenes show the girls in elaborate choreography against surreal backgrounds, combining the series’ characteristic comedy style with cinematic animation. The trailer also reinforces the presence of emotional moments, focusing on the bonds between the characters and their journey to overcome their destinies-or redestinations-as zombies. The production, once again by MAPPA studio, shows significant visual improvement, promising dazzling musical sequences that should be a spectacle in theaters.
The climax trailer for “Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise” begins with a nocturnal and introspective atmosphere, suggesting a moment of doubt or reflection for the Franchouchou members. The opening images show the girls looking up at the starry sky, which immediately establishes the connection with the “Galactic” theme of the title. This sequence seems to evoke a feeling of yearning, a desire for something greater, transcending their reality as zombies trapped in their homeland. The color palette used in these moments is more sober, with deep blues and purples, creating a deliberate contrast with the explosion of color that follows.
This transition to the dream world or an alternative dimension is marked by a sudden change in the soundtrack. What was a contemplative melody is transformed into an energetic and grandiose track, characteristic of Franchouchou’s performances, but with an orchestration that sounds more epic and cinematic. The choreography scenes show the idols dancing in settings that defy physics and logic, with floating platforms, constellations that move to the rhythm of the music and explosions of light that resemble nebulae. The animation, clearly benefiting from the budget and production time of a feature film, achieves an impressive level of fluidity and detail, especially in the dance moves and the characters’ facial expressions.
A crucial point highlighted in the trailer is the apparent fragmentation of the group. Quick scenes show Sakura Minnoshima looking isolated from the others, while Tae Yamada is focused on a moment of rare lucidity, her gaze fixed on something beyond immediate comprehension. These moments indicate that the film’s narrative will not only be based on an external conflict, but also on individual journeys of self-knowledge and overcoming personal traumas, a theme that has always been the backbone of the series. The pressure to achieve a “paradise” may be creating internal fissures that will need to be healed.
The presence of the Producer, Kotaro Tatsumi, is also shown in a more enigmatic way. Unlike his usually eccentric and noisy persona, he appears in more serious shots, watching the girls with an expression that mixes concern and determination. This raises the question of what his real role is in this celestial adventure. Is he the architect of this dream reality, or is he trying to rescue the idols from an illusory trap? The ambiguity surrounding his intentions adds an essential layer of mystery to the story’s climax.
The final sequence of the trailer is the most revealing, featuring what appears to be the culmination of the musical performance in the film. All the Franchouchou members, dressed in new outfits incorporating cosmic motifs and ethereal sparkles, perform a synchronized choreography on a stage that resembles a dimensional portal. The energy released at this moment is so intense that it distorts the surrounding reality, suggesting that the power of their music and determination is literally capable of reshaping the universe in which they find themselves. This is the ultimate materialization of the “Dream Paradise” theme, indicating that the film will take the franchise’s supernatural premise to the extreme.
The Expanding Universe: Who is Naomasa Amabuki?
The addition of Daisuke Ono to the dubbing cast is in itself a major event. Ono is one of the most respected and recognized voice actors in Japan, and his character, Naomasa Amabuki, is an unknown that generates a lot of speculation. The name “Amabuki” could be a clue, as it is associated with real places in the Saga region. Is he a new producer? An antagonist? Or perhaps a figure from one of the girls’ pasts, like Sakura or Saki? The introduction of a significant human character at this stage of the story opens up countless narrative possibilities, potentially exploring new conflicts and deepening the lore already established about the zombie phenomenon and the mysterious figure of the Producer.
With the release of the movie Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise, the franchise universe gains an intriguing character full of emotional connections: Naomasa Amabuki. Voiced by the renowned Daisuke Ono, Naomasa is not just any character; he is defined by his family ties, acting as a staff member of the Saga Space and Science Museum, the Yumeginga, and, most importantly, being the husband of Reiko Amabuki and father of Maria Amabuki.
The dramatic depth of Naomasa’s introduction lies precisely in his connection with the past. Reiko Amabuki, his wife, was Saki Nikaidō’s best friend in life and the co-founder of the Dorami biker gang. This relationship creates a complex emotional layer, as it puts a family member of one of the most important figures in Saki’s past directly in Franchouchou’s path. The fact that Saki, now a zombie, has to interact in some way with the widower of her dead best friend promotes a conflict full of nostalgia, secrets and the pain of an unresolved grief.
With regard to his daughter, Maria Amabuki, Naomasa represents an interesting contrast to his wife’s rebellious past. Maria was initially portrayed as a rebellious young woman who led a biker gang, feeling contempt for her mother, Reiko, for abandoning her delinquent lifestyle to become a housewife. The presence of Naomasa as a stable family figure may be the key to understanding the transformation of Maria, who later decides to rebrand the Dorami gang into a dance team, showing a maturing and reconciliation with her mother’s legacy.
The name “Naomasa” carries significant historical weight for Saga Prefecture. Naomasa Nabeshima was the tenth daimyō (feudal lord) of the Domain of Saga during the Edo period, and is credited with having been a great promoter of sake production in the region. This is no coincidence, as the Zombie Land Saga franchise is known for deeply incorporating Saga’s culture, history and local figures into its narrative. The choice of this name solidifies Naomasa Amabuki not only as a piece in the characters’ personal drama, but also as another tribute to the land that the idol-zombies strive to save.
Naomasa Amabuki is much more than a new face in the cast; he is an embodiment of the connections between past and present, between life and death, and between local legends and fictional narrative. His introduction provides a crucial emotional bridge between Franchouchou and the world of the living, specifically with one of the group’s most charismatic characters, Saki Nikaidō. Through him, the film has the potential to explore themes of mourning, memory and the lasting impact one life can have on another, all while continuing to pay homage to the rich heritage of Saga Prefecture, elevating Zombie Land Saga ‘s narrative to a new level of depth and meaning.
Saga Retrospective: From TV to Film
To understand the magnitude of this movie, it’s crucial to look at the success story of Zombie Land Saga:
- Season 1 (2018): Introduced the world to the unique concept of zombie idols and their fight to save Saga Prefecture, winning over fans with its absurd comedy and genuinely touching moments.
- Season 2 – Revenge (2021): Raised the stakes, focusing on the girls’ battle for recognition in the competitive world of entertainment, while deepening the development of each character and introducing new emotional challenges.
- Manga content: The universe expanded into comics, with a flexible adaptation of the main plot and a sidestory focused on Tae Yamada, the “number one zombie”, which explored her origins in more detail.
The transition to film is the next logical step, allowing for a longer narrative and production values that surpass TV episodes. Yumeginga Paradise is not just a movie, but the culmination of years of world-building and relationship with the audience.
Cultural Impact and the Idol-Zombie Phenomenon
Zombie Land Saga was never just an anime about zombies or idols. It’s a clever satire, a tribute to local Japanese culture and a story about second chances. The series has shattered expectations since its first episode, becoming a cultural phenomenon for its boldness in mixing such different genres. The film represents the consolidation of this phenomenon, showing how a seemingly bizarre idea can generate one of the most original and beloved franchises in recent Japanese animation.
