🐉Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved – Review, Story & Legacy

"Even dragons long for the warmth of family."

The beloved slice-of-life fantasy returns to the big screen with Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, the first anime film in the franchise since Kyoto Animation breathed new life into the series in 2017. Released in Japanese theaters on June 27, 2025, this film reunites fans with Kobayashi, Tohru, Kanna, and Iruru—while throwing them into their most emotional, world-shaking adventure yet.

📖 The Story – When Love and War Collide

Kanna’s peaceful days with Kobayashi and her dragon family are shattered when her father, Kamun Kamui—the mighty leader of the Chaos Forces—appears. His demand? For Kanna to return to the Dragon World and atone for a mistake from her past.

This sparks a conflict between the realms of Chaos and Harmony, a war that could consume both worlds. Kanna is torn between loyalty to her father and her love for her found family. Meanwhile, Kobayashi refuses to let her go, determined to heal the rift between father and daughter.

As the dragons clash in breathtaking battles, Iruru makes a shocking discovery: a hidden force is manipulating the chaos behind the scenes. The question becomes not just whether the war can be stopped—but whether love and trust are strong enough to bridge the divide between two worlds.

"Even gods can command dragons, but only family can heal them."

🎭 Characters – Familiar Faces, New Struggles

• Kobayashi – The ever-reliable programmer turned accidental guardian. Her quiet strength and human perspective once again become the heart of the story.

• Tohru – Fiercely loyal and hilariously over-the-top, she balances chaos with love. Her devotion to Kobayashi leads to some of the most heartfelt moments.

• Kanna – The childlike dragon torn between worlds, her emotional journey is the true core of the film.

• Iruru – Playful yet wounded, her discovery of the manipulative force adds a layer of mystery.

• Kamun Kamui – A towering presence, both terrifying and tragic, embodying the parental weight of tradition versus freedom.

Kyoto Animation ensures each character feels alive, blending humor, tenderness, and high-stakes emotion.

🎨 Animation & Music – Kyoto Animation’s Signature Magic

Few studios can capture warmth and spectacle the way Kyoto Animation does. From quiet moments of laughter in Kobayashi’s apartment to cosmic-scale battles of fire, lightning, and chaos, the animation soars with fluid motion and vibrant color.

The film’s theme song, “Namida no Parade” (Tears Parade) by Fhána, is an emotional anthem that swells with the film’s themes of love, longing, and reconciliation. Much like “Aozora no Rhapsody” and “Ai no Supreme!” before it, this track will stay with fans long after the credits roll.

🐉 Legacy of the Dragon Maid

Since its manga debut in 2013, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid has built a global fanbase for its blend of humor, heart, and fantasy. With two anime seasons, several spin-offs, and even a video game (Burst Forth!! Choro-gon Breath), the franchise has grown beyond its humble slice-of-life beginnings.

This film feels like both a continuation and a culmination. It explores deeper emotional bonds—particularly the family ties between Kobayashi, Kanna, and Kamun Kamui—while also raising the stakes with a full-scale dragon war.

For long-time fans, it delivers the perfect balance of heartfelt comedy and epic fantasy. For newcomers, it stands as a beautiful, self-contained story about love, loyalty, and belonging.

🎬 Final Verdict

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved is more than just another anime film—it’s a heartfelt reminder of why fans fell in love with this world in the first place. It mixes Kyoto Animation’s dazzling artistry with an emotional story about family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be loved.

If you laughed, cried, and found warmth in the earlier seasons, this film will take your heart and squeeze it—sometimes until it hurts, but always with love.

"In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re human or dragon—everyone deserves to be loved."

📅 Now Playing in Theaters (Japan, June 27, 2025)

🎶 Theme Song: “Namida no Parade” by Fhána

🎥 Studio: Kyoto Animation