Kaitō Queen (怪盗クイーン, Kaitō Kuīn, "Mirage Queen") is a Japanese novel series, written by Kaoru Hayamine and illustrated by K2 Shōkai. Kodansha have published fifteen volumes since March 2002 under their Aoitori Bunko children's imprint. A theatrical original video animation (OVA) adaptation of the first novel, Kaitō Queen wa Circus ga Osuki, premiered in Japan in June 2022. An anime film adaptation titled Kaitō Queen no Yūga na Kyūka is set to premiere in May 2025.
Plot
The Phantom Thief Queen whose gender, age and nationality are not revealed, travels around the world on the airship Troubadour with assistants Joker and the AI called RD, carrying out audacious thefts befitting the character of the Phantom Thief.
In July 2021, it was announced that the series' first novel, Kaitō Queen wa Circus ga Osuki (怪盗クイーンはサーカスがお好き, Kaitō Kuīn wa Sākasu ga Osuki, "Mirage Queen Aime Cirque"), would be adapted as a theatrical original video animation (OVA).[5][1] It premiered in Japan on June 17, 2022,[2] and was produced by East Fish Studio and directed by Saori Den, with scripts written by Mariko Kunisawa, character designs by Kumiko Kawashima, and music composed by Moe Hyūga.[6] The film's theme song is "Gyakuten no Regina" by Little Black Dress.[7]Sentai Filmworks has licensed the OVA outside of Asia.[8]
In Kaitō Queen wa Circus ga Osuki, the Queen plans steal the gemstone known as the Rose of Linden from the wealthy businessman Daizo Hoshibishi and return it to Egypt from where stolen years ago and known as Nefertiti's Smile. However the diamond is stolen first by White Face, head of the Seven Ring Circus, who issues a challenge to the Phantom Thief Queen to steal it from him. The Queen succeeds and then offers to help White Face fulfil his wish to take his circus to the war-torn country where he befriended a young girl many years ago.
Anime film
A new anime adaptation titled Kaitō Queen no Yūga na Kyūka was announced on March 12, 2023.[9] It was later revealed to be a film produced again by East Fish Studio and directed by Shigetaka Ikeda, with the rest of the staff and cast reprising their roles. It is set to open in Japan on May 23, 2025.[10][3]
