Azur Lane has released a special 9th Anniversary anime PV celebrating nine years of the game's Japanese service. The video was first shown during AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES. DAY1 on September 5, 2026 before being shared through the official Japanese account.
The animation was produced by A-1 Pictures. It arrives ahead of the Japanese service's actual ninth anniversary on September 14, 2026, but the official announcement specifically identifies it as a commemorative animation PV rather than announcing a new television series or anime film.
Quick Summary
- Title: Azur Lane
- Japanese title: アズールレーン
- New material: 9th Anniversary anime PV
- Type: commemorative animation PV
- Status: released
- Publication date: September 5, 2026
- Announcement: Azur Lane Official Japan
- Official account: @azurlane_staff
- Animation studio: A-1 Pictures
- Celebration: Japanese service's 9th Anniversary
- Japanese 9th Anniversary date: September 14, 2026
- PV debut: AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES. DAY1
- MUSI9 FES. DAY1: September 5, 2026
- MUSI9 FES. DAY2: September 6, 2026
- Event venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building
- Primary areas: Sankaku Hiroba and Shinjuku Sumitomo Hall
- 2026 anniversary theme: music / “sound”
- Verified PV platform: X
- Video in the official X post: available
- Dedicated official YouTube upload: not found in the verified sources
- Game format: smartphone game
- Japanese platforms: iOS and Android
- Japanese operator: Yostar
- Primary genre: shooting RPG
- Fleet system: up to six ships
- Characters: anthropomorphized ships / KAN-SEN
- Character count in Yostar's profile: more than 400
- New TV anime announced by this PV: no
- New anime film announced by this PV: no
- Other currently airing Azur Lane anime: Azur Lane Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!!
- Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!! studio: Studio CANDY BOX
- Connection to Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!!: separate project
- Anniversary event status: September 5–6, 2026
- PV focus: celebrating nine years of Azur Lane and its KAN-SEN
- PV-specific cast information: not officially detailed
- Full official staff credits in the main announcement: not detailed
- New anime sequel through this PV: unannounced
Azur Lane 9th Anniversary Anime PV
The PV Debuted During AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES. DAY1
The anniversary animation was presented as part of AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES. DAY1 on September 5 before the official Azur Lane account uploaded the video directly to X.
The official post opens with a congratulatory message addressed to the Commander and explicitly describes the video as the 9th Anniversary animation PV.
MUSI9 FES itself is a two-day centerpiece for this year's anniversary celebrations, with DAY1 on September 5 followed by DAY2 on September 6.
A-1 Pictures Handles the Animation
One of the most notable parts of the announcement is the confirmation of A-1 Pictures as the animation production studio.
Rather than relying on gameplay footage or a static anniversary illustration alone, the celebration received a dedicated animated production featuring Azur Lane's KAN-SEN in newly animated sequences.
The main announcement does not provide a complete official staff list, so director, character design, animation director and other production credits should remain unconfirmed until a complete production credit or official staff breakdown is published.
Arriving Ahead of Nine Years of Japanese Service
The official anniversary website identifies September 14, 2026 as the date Azur Lane reaches nine years of service in Japan.
That places the PV nine days ahead of the anniversary itself, positioning it as part of the buildup toward the main milestone rather than an after-the-fact celebration.
Azur Lane has grown to feature more than 400 characters according to Yostar's official product profile, with players taking the role of Commander and assembling fleets from its broad lineup of KAN-SEN.
MUSI9 FES Gives the Anniversary a Music Theme
The ninth-anniversary celebration is branded AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES., built around the theme of “sound.” The official event site describes the festival as a way to revisit nine years of Azur Lane through music, voices, performances and interactive experiences.
The event is being held at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, using both Sankaku Hiroba and Shinjuku Sumitomo Hall.
Its program includes talk stages, special live performances, attractions, exhibitions, food, merchandise and streaming. The A-1 Pictures animation PV became one of the new visual pieces introduced during DAY1.
This Is Not a New TV Anime Announcement
It is important to separate the anniversary PV from an announcement of a new anime adaptation. The official post clearly labels it a 9th Anniversary animation PV, not a teaser for a television series, film, OVA or new streaming production.
Azur Lane already has another anime project airing in 2026, Azur Lane Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!!, which began broadcasting on July 5. That series is animated by Studio CANDY BOX, not A-1 Pictures.
A-1 Pictures' involvement in this anniversary video therefore should not be interpreted as confirmation that the studio is producing a new Azur Lane television series.
Why This Matters
1) The anniversary received a dedicated A-1 Pictures production
The celebration goes beyond static artwork or in-game material by commissioning a standalone animated PV from a major animation studio.
2) The PV arrives before the actual anniversary date
The video launched on September 5, while the Japanese service officially reaches nine years on September 14, making it part of the buildup to the milestone.
3) It is directly tied to the main anniversary event
The PV was not released without context; it debuted during MUSI9 FES. DAY1, the centerpiece event for this year's Japanese anniversary activities.
4) Its status is clear without overstating a new anime project
The announcement confirms a commemorative animation PV, while any new TV series, movie or longer A-1 Pictures production remains unannounced.
Game and Anniversary PV Information
For now, the additional important information currently known includes:
- Azur Lane has released a special anime PV for its Japanese 9th Anniversary
- the PV was announced through the official Japanese @azurlane_staff account
- it was published on September 5, 2026
- the video was first shown during AZUR LANE MUSI9 FES. DAY1
- animation production was handled by A-1 Pictures
- the official caption addresses the game's “Commander”
- the announcement identifies the video as a 9th Anniversary animation PV
- the Japanese service reaches its ninth anniversary on September 14, 2026
- MUSI9 FES. runs across September 5–6, 2026
- the event is held at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building in Tokyo
- Sankaku Hiroba and Shinjuku Sumitomo Hall are used as event areas
- this year's anniversary is built around a “sound” theme
- live music performances are part of the event
- talk stages are also included
- attractions and exhibitions form part of the program
- anniversary merchandise is being sold during the event
- Azur Lane is a smartphone shooting RPG
- the Japanese game is available on iOS and Android
- Yostar operates the Japanese service
- players take the role of Commander
- fleets can contain up to six ships
- the game's characters are anthropomorphized ships
- Yostar's official profile lists more than 400 characters
- the official X post contains the PV video directly
- a dedicated official YouTube upload for this specific PV was not found in the verified sources
- a PV-specific cast list has not been officially announced
- a complete production staff list is not included in the main announcement
- the PV has not been announced as a new TV series
- it has not been announced as a new anime film
- no broadcast schedule for a new anime project is attached to the PV
- there is no episode count because this is not a series announcement
- no new anime streaming platform has been announced through the PV
- Azur Lane Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!! is a separate anime project
- Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!! began airing on July 5, 2026
- Studio CANDY BOX handles animation production for Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!!
- A-1 Pictures is currently confirmed specifically for the anniversary animation PV
- game information is available through the Azur Lane Official Website
- anniversary information is available through the Azur Lane 9th Anniversary Special Site
- official updates are available through Azur Lane Official X
- the main announcement and PV are available through the Azur Lane Official X Post
- the Japanese Android version is available through Azur Lane on Google Play
- spin-off anime information is available through the Azur Lane Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!! Official Website
Closing
The 9th Anniversary anime PV gives Azur Lane a dedicated animated celebration, with A-1 Pictures producing the video introduced during MUSI9 FES. DAY1 ahead of the Japanese service's September 14 anniversary.
For now, the project remains a commemorative animation PV. A new TV series, film, OVA, PV-specific cast lineup or longer A-1 Pictures anime project has not been announced through this material.
- Azur Lane Official X — Official 9th Anniversary Anime PV Announcement and Video
- Azur Lane 9th Anniversary — Official Anniversary Date, MUSI9 FES Event Dates, Venue, and Theme
- Yostar — Official Azur Lane Product Overview and Game Information
- Google Play — Official Japanese Azur Lane Store Page
- Azur Lane Bisoku Zenshin! Ni!! — Official Current Spin-Off Anime Information and Animation Studio
