Shunji Iwai’s Swallowtail Butterfly will return to cinemas across Japan in a newly remastered 4K version on September 4.
To celebrate the release, a new merchandise collection featuring 26 items inspired by the film has been announced. Yen Town Market, Moviecan, Filmarks Culture Wear and FREAK’S MOVIE (FREAK’S STORE) will release a range of T-shirts, hoodies, caps and other items.
The collection will go on sale at cinemas and online from September 4. Ahead of the wider launch, Yen Town Market will release two items exclusively from August 20: a T-shirt featuring Ageha, played by Ayumi Ito, and a replica of the cap worn by Chara’s character Glico in the film.
Selected purchases will also come with a limited-edition sticker while supplies last.
Swallowtail Butterfly 4K Remaster
In cinemas across Japan from September 4, 2026, including TOHO Cinemas Hibiya
Cast
Hio Feihong: Hiroshi Mikami
Glico: Chara
Ageha: Ayumi Ito
Ryo Ranki: Yosuke Eguchi
Maofuu: Andy Hui
Ran: Atsuro Watabe
Shenmei: Tomoko Yamaguchi
Reiko: Nene Otsuka
Suzukino: Kaori Momoi
Producer: Shinya Kawai
Written and Directed by: Shunji Iwai
Music: Takeshi Kobayashi
“Swallowtail Butterfly ~Ai no Uta~”
YEN TOWN BAND
Produced by Takeshi Kobayashi / Vocals by Chara
Based on: Swallowtail by Shunji Iwai (Kadokawa Bunko / KADOKAWA)
Cinematography: Noboru Shinoda
Lighting: Hiroki Nakamura
Production Design: Yohei Taneda
CG Director: Daisaburo Harada
Production Committee: OORONG-SHA Co., Ltd. / Pony Canyon Inc. / Fuji Television Network, Inc. / KADOKAWA Corporation / Asmik Ace, Inc. / Memory-Tech Corporation
Production Company: Rockwell Eyes
Distributor: Pony Canyon
Original Japanese Release: September 14, 1996
Runtime: 148 minutes
Country: Japan
Color
©SWALLOWTAIL PRODUCTION COMMITTEE
