Hana-Kimi TV anime reveals teaser trailers and main cast

The upcoming TV anime Hana-Kimi (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e), based on the manga by Hisaya Nakajo, has released its first teaser trailer. Additionally, the main cast was announced: Aki Yamane voices Mizuki Ashiya, Taku Yashiro takes on the role of Izumi Sano, and Kikusuke Toya voices Shuichi Nakatsu.

The anime adaptation was originally announced in May of last year. The new teaser provides a first glimpse of the voices of the main characters Mizuki, Sano, and Nakatsu. Furthermore, the trailer is being showcased at the Hisaya Nakajo 30th Anniversary Exhibition: The Journey of Hana-Kimi, which will take place from February 7th at Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

Aki Yamane recalled, upon the announcement of her role, how she watched the 2007 live-action drama version as a teenager. She described it as a dream to now voice Mizuki herself. Taku Yashiro emphasized that he wants to carefully portray Sano's feelings and the emotions directed toward him. Kikusuke Toya highlighted that Nakatsu has many typical "youthful" traits and expressed his excitement about bringing out the various facets of this role.

The story of Hana-Kimi revolves around Mizuki Ashiya, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to enroll in an all-boys school. Her goal is to get closer to her idol, the high jumper Izumi Sano. The manga was serialized from 1996 to 2004 in Hana to Yume (Hakusensha) and comprises 23 volumes. The series has been adapted into live-action dramas multiple times, including a 2007 version starring Maki Horikita as Mizuki, Shun Oguri as Sano, and Toma Ikuta as Nakatsu. A second Japanese drama adaptation followed in 2011, featuring Atsuko Maeda, Ao Nakamura, and Shōhei Miura in the lead roles.