The upcoming television anime adaptation of Takako Shimura’s Scenes From Awajima (Awajima Hyakkei) manga has announced the addition of Natsumi Fujiwara and Ayumi Tsunematsu to its cast. Fujiwara will voice Emi Okabe, while Tsunematsu will portray Katsurako Ibuki in the highly anticipated series set to premiere in April 2026.
Key Voice Actors Join the Cast
Natsumi Fujiwara, known for her diverse roles including Damian Desmond in Spy × Family and Tōru Mutsuki in Tokyo Ghoul:re, steps into the role of Emi Okabe. Emi is described as a scholarship student whose enrollment creates a stir but leads to her being isolated and harassed by others, including Katsurako.
Joining Fujiwara is Ayumi Tsunematsu, whose previous credits include Maiya Hisau in Fate/Zero and Kirio Hikifune in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Tsunematsu will voice Katsurako Ibuki, a third-generation member of an elite family with origins in Awajima. Katsurako reportedly harbors envy for Emi Okabe’s talent. A new character visual featuring both Emi Okabe and Katsurako Ibuki was also released, highlighting these two central figures. These voice actors join previously announced cast members Niina Nakabayashi as Wakana Tabata, Yō Taichi as Kinue Takehara, and Ai Kayano as Ryōko Ueda.
Exploring the World of Awajima Opera School
The Scenes From Awajima anime delves into the intricate lives of young women at the prestigious Awajima Opera School. The story, based on Takako Shimura’s omnibus manga, follows various girls throughout time as they pursue their dreams of performing on the grand stage. The narrative promises to explore themes of friendship, admiration, competition, and jealousy as these classmates and rivals navigate their time at the school.
Production Team and Broadcast Details
The anime adaptation is being helmed by a seasoned production team. Morio Asaka, known for directing Chihayafuru and NANA, is directing the series at the acclaimed animation studio MADHOUSE. Yasuhiro Nakanishi, recognized for his work on My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999, is in charge of the series composition. Kunihiko Hamada, who worked on NANA and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, is handling the character designs, while Takahiro Obata, composer for The Promised Neverland, is creating the music. Hideki Nakamura is the art director, and Junko Sakai is the compositing director of photography. The series is slated to begin its broadcast in April 2026.
The Original Manga
Takako Shimura originally launched the Awajima Hyakkei manga on Ohta Publishing’s PocoPoco website in July 2011, later moving to Ohta Web Comic in July 2016. The manga concluded in March 2024 with its fifth and final compiled volume released in May 2024. Yen Press has licensed the manga for English release and is set to publish the first volume on January 20, 2026.
