Hideo Kojima lauds a little-known “hard sci-fi anime” from 2023 that boasts a flawless Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Hideo Kojima is never one to hold back when it comes to sharing his favorite media, whether it’s films, TV shows, or, in this case, anime.

Mars Express may have flown under the radar since its release in France in 2023, but it’s making waves with an upcoming Japanese release and earning significant praise.

The story follows space detective Aline and her android partner as they navigate a chaotic world filled with conspiracies, crime, and missing children. Despite only raking in $1.5 million at the box office, it hasn’t received the recognition it deserves among the best anime films of the decade. That might be about to change.

Kojima, fresh off the mind-bending experience of his own game, Death Stranding 2, is eager to champion this film.

He expressed on Twitter, “The look, design, world-building, story, theme, authorial voice. It evokes the hard Sci-Fi anime that I love – the ones released in the ‘80s and ‘90s during the OVA boom from the likes of Mamoru Oshii, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and Satoshi Kon.” He added, “It is a rare anime that could never emerge from streaming services or even from modern Japan. This French anime is something we ought to support and protect at all costs.”

The Japan Times also praised Mars Express, with a reviewer calling it “the best anime film of recent years,” while acknowledging the debate over its classification as anime due to its French origins. Regardless, it currently boasts a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

In the U.S., Mars Express is available for rent and purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV, though it’s not currently streaming in the UK.

For more updates, keep an eye out for new anime arriving in the winter 2026 season and the latest on Chainsaw Man season 2 and Demon Slayer Infinity Castle 2.