Sky: The Two Lights Movie Hits Japan

Key visual

The beloved game Sky: Children of the Light is receiving its first-ever animated adaptation, with the film Sky: The Two Lights – First Part set to premiere exclusively in Japanese theaters starting August 8. A new trailer and key visual have also been released.

Originally launched in 2019 by the acclaimed U.S. studio thatgamecompany—known for Journey—Sky has reached over 270 million downloads worldwide. In this cooperative action-adventure game, players traverse seven beautifully crafted realms to help fallen star spirits return to the sky.

The animated film, Sky: The Two Lights, will unfold over two parts and is unique in that it features no dialogue. Instead, it conveys powerful themes such as sorrow, healing, and forgiveness through its visual storytelling, emotional performances, and original music. The story centers on two children from different time periods whose intertwined destinies lead them to make decisions that could alter the world’s fate.

Set in a world where a mysterious epidemic turns people into crystal, the plot follows a boy who befriends an injured “light manatee” and ultimately rises to fight for the world’s future. Directed by Evan Vieira—known for work on League of Legends and Apex Legends—the film’s trailer features scenes of encroaching darkness and the gentle bond between the boy and the light creature. The key visual captures a moving image of the boy holding the glowing manatee in a shadowed world.

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Official trailer for “Sky: Two Lights – Part 1”

The concept behind this project is “shared experiences between players.” Starting July 21, chapters of the film will be released within the original game through the in-game “Theater,” allowing players to watch and experience the movie together in real time.

In addition, limited-time in-game events linked to the anime are planned, offering players a deeper connection to the world of Sky by allowing them to actually explore the setting featured in the story.

A full message from thatgamecompany’s Executive Creative Director and CEO, Jenova Chen, has also been shared.

[Jenova Chen (Executive Creative Director and CEO of thatgamecompany)]

Genoa Chen (Executive Creative Director and CEO of thatgamecompany)

This film is a story that will leave a lasting impression on your heart with tearful memories, and will make you want to hug your loved ones, loved ones and pets, and keep them close to you.

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A Dialogue-Free Animated Film Born from a Global Game Phenomenon

The animated adaptation of Sky: Children of the Light is more than just a visual extension of the game—it’s a bold step toward redefining how games and storytelling intersect. By choosing to express emotions and narrative entirely without dialogue, the film invites viewers to focus on the universal language of visuals and music, much like the original game did with multiplayer exploration and silent collaboration. The decision to premiere it in theaters as well as within the game itself via the “Theater” function starting July 21 is a thoughtful nod to the community-driven spirit of Sky.

In-game events tied to the anime further blur the lines between passive viewing and active participation, creating a hybrid entertainment experience that’s rare in modern media. The film’s themes of sorrow, healing, and connection resonate deeply in a post-pandemic era, and its release strategy reflects a future where games are not just play, but shared emotional journeys