The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Hisaya Nakajo’s beloved shojo manga series Hana-Kimi (also known as Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) has unveiled its full main cast and key staff members, along with a confirmation of its premiere in January 2026. Crunchyroll will stream the series globally, bringing the classic cross-dressing romantic comedy to fans across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and India.
The latest announcements follow previous revelations and build anticipation for the anime’s debut, with an episode 1 world premiere having already taken place at Anime NYC.
A Deeper Look at the Ensemble Cast
The anime boasts a talented voice cast bringing the iconic characters of the Osaka Gakuen all-boys’ school to life. Leading the cast are:
- Mizuki Ashiya voiced by Aya Yamane
- Izumi Sano voiced by Taku Yashiro
- Shuichi Nakatsu voiced by Kikunosuke Toya
In addition to the main trio, several key supporting roles have been filled:
- Minami Nanba voiced by Yuichiro Umehara
- Hokuto Umeda voiced by Jun Fukuyama
- Senri Nakao voiced by Reiji Kawashima
- Daiki Kayashima voiced by Koki Uchiyama
- Kyogo Sekime voiced by Wataru Komada
- Shinji Noe voiced by Anan Furuya
- Wataru Nihonbashi voiced by Kotaro Nishiyama
- Julia M. (Maxwell) voiced by Yuko Natsuyoshi
The Creative Minds Behind the Adaptation
Signal.MD is producing the animation, with a seasoned team at the helm to adapt Hisaya Nakajo’s classic work.
- Director: Natsuki Takemura (known for Go! Go! Vehicle Zoo and episode direction on Dragon Goes House-Hunting)
- Assistant Director: Shigeru Ueda (To Love-Ru, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV episode director)
- Series Composition: Takao Yoshioka (Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces)
- Character Design: Shi Yi Su (Dragon Goes House-Hunting)
- Music: Masaru Yokoyama (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, 2022 & 2024 Urusei Yatsura)
- Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa (86, Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc, Golden Kamuy)
Adding another layer of excitement, popular Japanese musical unit YOASOBI has been tapped to perform both the opening and ending theme songs for the anime.
The Enduring Legacy of Hana-Kimi
Hana-Kimi (full title: Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e or For You in Full Blossom) is a romance shojo manga created by the late Hisaya Nakajo. The manga was serialized in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine from 1996 to 2004, concluding with 23 tankobon volumes. Viz Media released the manga in English. Nakajo passed away in October 2023 at the age of 50 due to a heart condition, making this anime adaptation a poignant tribute to her work.
The story revolves around Mizuki Ashiya, a Japanese-American track-and-field star who disguises herself as a boy to enroll in an all-boys’ high school in Japan. Her goal is to meet her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, and help him return to the sport. Unbeknownst to Mizuki, Sano soon discovers her secret, leading to a series of comedic and heartwarming events, further complicated by a fellow classmate, Shuichi Nakatsu, who develops feelings for Mizuki, believing her to be male.
The manga’s immense popularity has previously led to several live-action drama adaptations, including versions in Taiwan (2006), Japan (2007 and 2011), and South Korea (2012), solidifying its status as a timeless shojo classic. The upcoming anime is the first animated adaptation of the beloved series.
