Labyrinth is the latest work from Shoji Kawamori, the creative force behind the beloved Macross franchise, and it marks his first original feature-length animated film. On paper the premise sounds quirky. It is a story about a teenager, a cracked phone screen, and what happens when the version of yourself you put online starts living your life without you.

On screen, it is a lot more than that, though not without a few things that could have been done better. Here is a full look at what the film gets right, what it misses, and whether it is worth the watch.

A Story Rooted in the Social Media Age

The film follows Shiori, an ordinary high school girl who is deeply caught up in chasing social media fame. When her smartphone screen cracks, it releases her digital double called SHIORI@REVOLUTION  into the real world, while the real Shiori gets pulled into a vast and unsettling cyber labyrinth. From there, the story becomes a journey of self-discovery as Shiori tries to find her way out of the digital maze, all while her online alter ego racks up millions of fans in her place.

At its core, Labyrinth is about friendship, family, and the very real anxiety of wanting people to like you for who you actually are rather than for the image you project online. The film taps into questions around identity, internet fame, and the growing gap between the self we perform online and the person we are in real life. These are weighty themes, and the film takes them seriously and sometimes almost too seriously. Certain parts of the story go quite deep, and younger viewers or those looking for a light watch may find some sections require a second viewing to fully absorb. It is not a film you can completely switch your brain off for, which is both one of its strengths and a mild limitation depending on the viewer.

Visuals That Demand Attention

One of the strongest areas of Labyrinth is without question how it looks. The digital world Shiori is trapped in is chaotic, unsettling, and visually rich filled with glowing cyber corridors and strange creatures that inhabit the maze. Every scene feels deliberately designed, and Kawamori’s passion for world-building comes through clearly in the details.

The contrast between the two worlds is handled particularly well. The real world is calm and ordinary-looking, while the digital world is loud, dark, and in constant motion. This difference does a good job of conveying just how lost and overwhelmed Shiori feels throughout her journey. For viewers who appreciate detailed and carefully crafted animation, the film delivers consistently from beginning to end.

True to Kawamori’s background, Labyrinth includes mecha action sequences set inside the digital world. The mechanical designs are sleek and inventive, and the robots move with a sense of weight and personality that makes the fight choreography genuinely exciting to watch. However, these sequences are notably short. Just as the action really starts to build momentum, it ends. For fans of classic mecha anime, this will likely be the film’s most frustrating quality because it feels more like a tease than a full course.

Voice Acting That Delivers

SUZUKA, a member of the pop group ATARASHII GAKKO!, voices both Shiori and her digital twin SHIORI@REVOLUTION in her very first voice acting role. The two characters are distinctly different: Shiori is nervous and uncertain, while SHIORI@REVOLUTION is bold, loud, and bursting with energy. The fact that SUZUKA brings both to life convincingly is a real achievement, especially for a debut performance. She also performs the film’s theme song, “Sailor, Sail On,” which is catchy, emotional, and lands at just the right moment in the story. It is the kind of song that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Where the Film Comes Up Short

The biggest missed opportunity in Labyrinth is its soundtrack. Given that the story revolves so heavily around an idol and internet fame, it is surprising that the music does not play a bigger role throughout the film. Several emotional moments feel like they are waiting for a big song to push them over the edge, but the music does not show up in those moments. The overall soundtrack feels quiet for a story built around a pop star, and a fuller, more active score would have made the film feel considerably more alive.

Verdict

Labyrinth is one of the more original and visually striking animated films of 2026. It takes a very modern idea which is the distance between who we are online and who we actually are and builds it into an adventure that is emotional, thought-provoking, and at times genuinely beautiful to look at. Kawamori once again demonstrates why he is considered one of anime’s most imaginative directors, and SUZUKA proves she has real range beyond the stage.

The short mecha sequences and underdeveloped soundtrack are genuine complaints, but they do not sink the film. It has style, heart, humour, and something meaningful to say. Whether you are a longtime anime fan or simply looking for something fresh and different, Labyrinth is worth making time for.