The Price of Smiles

The Price of Smiles is an original TV anime produced by Tatsunoko Production, seamlessly blending Drama, Fantasy, Mecha, and Slice of Life into a compelling narrative experience. Directed by Toshimasa Suzuki with series composition by Shinichi Inotezume, the story follows two young women on opposing sides of a conflict—Stella Shining and Yuuki Soleil—whose fates become tragically intertwined. Balancing intense mecha combat with deeply human emotion, this Tatsunoko Production original offers a thought-provoking exploration of war, sacrifice, and the true cost of keeping a smile.

This is an original anime created to celebrate Tatsunoko Production's 55th anniversary. The story unfolds across two distant planets in the universe, following the intertwining journeys of two young women at very different crossroads in life. On a faraway world, a cheerful kingdom thrives under the warmth of its people's smiles. At its heart lives 12-year-old princess Yuuki Soleil, who is just beginning to navigate the whirlwind of emotions that come with growing up. Her days in the royal palace are lively and full of heart, surrounded by those she trusts most — her tutor Leila Etoile, the politically astute Izana Langford, the steadfast knight captain Harold Miller, and her spirited childhood companion Joshua Ingram, whose boisterous energy never fails to keep her on her toes. Meanwhile, on another world entirely, 17-year-old Stella Shining serves as a composed and skilled soldier. She carries herself with quiet resolve, and no matter the circumstances, a smile never leaves her face — for she believes that smiling is what keeps her going.