Kai 2: Defender of Japan

***Note that Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.***

***Kai II: Defender of Japan (2024)*** is an upcoming American 3D martial arts computer-animated action fantasy sequel to *Kai: The Legend of the Heroes (2022)*. It is in production by Pixar Animation Studios and will be released by Walt Disney Pictures. It will be released in March 15, 2024. The film is directed by Domee Shi, and produced by Andrea Warren. The returning cast members are Dave Franco, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Michael Peña, and Brad Pitt. Featuring a new cast members with Chole Bennet, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pine, and Tony Leung.

## Synopsis

After two years of saving Ainokura and defeating Lord Shadow, Kai plays his magic shamisen and storytelling to the children. However, when Master Yu warns Kai about a new threat coming to Japan. Kai’s ultimate quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful and dangerous villain Kokoro from conquering Japan. Kai and Hosato go to Chiba to warn Princess Sakura about an unstoppable threat. Kai, Sakura, Hosato and The Heroes of Japan set out on a magical adventure to find the zodiac stone to save Japan before evil threatens the world.

## Cast

* Dave Franco as Kai
* Chole Bennet as Sakura
	+ Haley Tju as Young Sakura
* Scarlett Johansson as Kokoro
* Anthony Hopkins as Master Yu
* Oscar Isaac as Hosato
* Chris Pine as Jin-Chi
* Tony Leung Chiu-wai as The Emperor of Japan
* Cate Blanchett as Misaki
* Michael Peña as Yoshi
* Brad Pitt as Raiden
* Kimiko Glenn as Izumi
* Asher Bishop as Natsuo
* Bill Hader as Riku
* Ben Schwartz as Beer Seller
* Liev Schreiber, Bryan Cranston, Fred Tasticore, Peter Sohn, and Dan Scanlon as Kokoro’s Minions
* Peter Dinklage as Guard 1
* Patrick Warburton as Guard 2
* Peter Sohn as Chiba Citizen 1
* Dan Scanlon as Chiba Citizen 2
* Domee Shi as Chiba Citizen 3
* Tara Strong as Ainokura Village Girl

## Ratings in other countries

* USA: PG (For action/Peril, mild language, violence and thematic elements)
* UK: PG (Mild threat, violence, implied bad language)
* UK: 9+ (self-applied)
* Ireland: PG (mild fantasy violence, scary scenes)
* Canada: PG
* Australia: PG
* Germany: 7
* Japan: G

## Music

By January 27, 2023‎, John Powell composed the film's score, collaborating with James Newton Howard from the first film.

## Theatrical Release

*Kai II: Defender of Japan* was theatrically released on March 15, 2024 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, moving up from the film's previously announced date of July 12, 2024.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures had originally planned to release *Kai II: Defender of Japan* on April 12, 2024, it was later pushed back to July 12, 2024, and finally it was eventually moved up to March 15, 2024 in the United States.

## Songs

* Enya - Only Time
* Imagine Dragons - Enemy
* Alok & Bebe Rexha – Deep In Your Love (featured song)

## Trivia

* This is the first Disney and Vyond film to have the Disney 100 Years of Wonder.
* This is James Newton Howard's 2nd Pixar Animation film to compose *Kai II: Defender of Japan* after *Kai: The Legend of the Heroes*.
* Pixar's sixth film of the 2020s to be rated PG by the BBFC after *Soul* (2020), *Turning Red* (2022), *Lightyear* (2022), *Kai: The Legend of the Heroes* (2022), and *Elemental* (2023).
* This is Pixar Animation Studio's first film to be composed by John Powell.
* Much like the first installment from (2022), this sequel has a much darker storyline with mature themes, it makes it the darkest film.

## Gallery

2023-2024 (early version)Main LogoWhite bylineFirst old teaserFirst new teaserFinal new teaserA character poster of KaiA character poster of Kokoro
## Videos

Pixar’s Kai II- Defender of Japan (2024) - Title AnnouncementPixar's Kai 2- Defender of Japan - Official Trailer - Disney UK