Cherry and Virgin Wins Big at Fantasia Film Festival

Great news for fans of Masanao Kawajiri. His original film Cherry and Virgin has been honored at the 30th annual Fantasia International Film Festival. The project walked away with a Special Mention of the Jury during the 2026 Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation ceremony.

This recognition highlights the high level of craft put into the film. Seeing an original work gain this kind of critical attention on a global stage is always exciting for the animation community. It marks another significant achievement for Kawajiri and his team.

For those following the director, this win confirms why his unique style continues to stand out. We look forward to seeing what else this film accomplishes as it makes its way through the festival circuit.