The long-running space comedy Uchū Nanchara Kotetsu-kun is heading to the big screen this fall. Kadokawa announced the film trailer and theme song artist for Uchū Nanchara Kotetsu-kun: Ukkari Detekita Uchūjin o Sagase! (Space Academy: Find the Aliens Who Accidentally Came Out!), arriving September 11.

The film's theme song, "Uchū no Nanchara Nakama" (Space Friend), is performed by Shōko Nakagawa. The newly released trailer previews the track and gives viewers their first look at the movie's storyline.

Director Yoshinori Tsutsui helms the film, which picks up where the anime series left off. The story follows space pilot trainee Kotetsu as he hears rumors of aliens and rallies the entire academy to search for them. What makes this film unique is its blend of animation and actual space footage, giving audiences a cosmic experience that goes beyond typical anime production.

The television cast reprises their roles, ensuring continuity for fans who've followed the series since its 2021 debut on NHK Educational. Yōichi Katō returns to write the screenplay, while Kyō Nakanishi and Yuri Habuka compose the score. The production credits reveal an impressive scope of collaboration, including space supervision from The Young Astronaut Club-Japan and assistance from Science Art Inc. and other specialized teams.

The original web manga by Yūji Nishimura launched in 2019, just after the 50th anniversary of the moon landing—a fitting thematic touchstone for a series about young dreamers pursuing astronaut careers. The manga has posted a new chapter every other Monday for free since its debut. The anime adaptation has run two successful seasons on NHK Educational, with the first spanning April 2021 to March 2022 and the second from April 2022 to February 2023.

With its earnest humor about friendship and pursuing dreams, combined with genuine space footage, the film promises to be a unique theatrical experience for both longtime fans and newcomers curious about anime that takes its space-loving characters seriously.