After what’s felt like years of handwringing over the perils of AI, internet brainrot, and the inherent exploitation of streaming, it’s nice to step into a world that finds the best in all of the above. That’s arguably what Cosmic Princess Kaguya! does best: a Netflix anime that transposes an ancient legend into a cyberpunk futurescape, it’s incredibly optimistic about virtual reality.
Loosely based on the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! completely reimagines the beats of that story to craft an upbeat love letter to streamers, Japanese VTubers, and anyone who’s logged more hours than they should in an all-engrossing video game. Its scope may be niche, and its execution busy, but one doesn’t have to be chronically online to gel with its charms.
