COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing, the first anime film based on the mobile rhythm game Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! feat. Hatsune Miku, is heading to streaming. After earning over 1.5 billion yen at the Japanese box office and drawing 1.14 million viewers, the film will stream for free on ABEMA in Japan on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. JST.
Broken Sekai, a Silent Miku and the Heart of This Story
The film follows Ichika Hoshino of Leo/need, who discovers a version of Hatsune Miku she has never heard before in a CD shop. This new Miku comes from a gloomy “Sekai” where her songs no longer reach the people whose feelings created it. No matter how much she sings, no one seems to hear her. After watching Ichika move a crowd with her live performance, the silent Miku appears on Ichika’s phone, hoping that learning about Ichika will teach her how to connect through song. What follows is a story about depression, connection and how music can still resonate even in a broken world.
From Project SEKAI Rhythm Game to Standalone Anime Film
The movie adapts the Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! game—known internationally as Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!—but tells a completely original story. All five main units from the game and their own versions of the Virtual Singers are involved, yet the central hook is this new, game-original Miku who cannot sing. Directed by Hiroyuki Hata with a script by Yoko Yonaiyama, animated by P.A.WORKS and distributed by Shochiku, the film works as a standalone entry point while still rewarding fans who already know each group’s songs and story arcs.
ABEMA Streaming Date, Free Window and Basic Viewing Info
ABEMA will host a free exclusive stream of the movie on January 17, 2026, starting at 8:00 p.m. JST. The film will be available to watch at no cost for one week after the broadcast. After that window, it will remain on the service for subscribers to ABEMA Premium and the ad-supported “ABEMA Premium with ads” plans. Viewers in Japan can bookmark the official ABEMA program page, while the film’s official website collects trailers, key visuals and music details.
Region Restrictions and Options for Overseas Vocaloid Fans
ABEMA is primarily a Japan-focused streaming service, and many of its anime titles are geoblocked outside the country. This free stream is mainly aimed at the Japanese audience, so overseas fans may not be able to access it directly. The good news is that the film has already seen theatrical releases across North America through GKIDS, as well as in parts of Latin America and Europe, and a Japanese Blu-ray is scheduled for late 2025. Depending on your region, you may see Blu-ray, digital rental or local streaming options appear after those dates, so it is worth keeping an eye on your usual legal anime platforms and distributors.
Choosing Between the Movie and the Game as Your Entry Point
If you are new to Project SEKAI, you might be wondering whether to start with the game or the movie. The film is written so that even total newcomers can follow Ichika, the bands and the new Miku without prior knowledge, making it a solid first taste of the world. However, playing a bit of Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! on iOS or Android beforehand gives extra context for each unit, their dynamics and the idea of multiple “Sekai” and Mikus. That extra familiarity can make certain scenes and cameos hit harder.
Tips for Newcomers Meeting Project SEKAI Through This Film
For absolute beginners, a good route is to try a few songs and story episodes from your favorite-looking unit in Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!, then watch the movie when it becomes available in your region or during the ABEMA free window if you are in Japan. After the film, you can dive back into the game to explore the units that stood out most and listen for the musical and emotional threads the movie highlights. If you are in Japan, mark January 17, 2026 in your calendar, add the film to your ABEMA watchlist, and get ready to revisit a broken Sekai and the Miku who needed help to sing again.
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