Watch Hana Kimi Anime Premiere in January 2026 and Discover Theme Song Details

Hana-Kimi Anime Slated for January 2026 Release: A Tribute to Hisaya Nakajo

A major announcement has been made regarding the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Hana-Kimi. The production studio Aniplex revealed during their recent Online Fest that the anime will debut in January 2026. Attendees of the livestream event were also given an exclusive look at the anime’s key visual and learned that the opening and ending theme songs will be performed by the popular group YOASOBI.

The director for this upcoming anime is Natsuki Takemura, known for directing Go! Go! Vehicle Zoo and serving as an episode director for Dragon Goes House-Hunting. Takemura will lead the project at Signal.MD, a studio recognized for its high-quality productions. Shigeru Ueda, who has directed episodes of To Love-Ru and Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV, will be the assistant director.

Takao Yoshioka is responsible for the series scripts, bringing his expertise from projects like Aharen-san wa Hakarenai and Horimiya: The Missing Pieces. The character designs are being handled by Shi Yi Su, renowned for his work on Dragon Goes House-Hunting. Masaru Yokoyama, celebrated for his music in Arakawa Under the Bridge, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, and Urusei Yatsura, is composing the music. Jin Aketagawa, the sound director, boasts an impressive resume that includes 86, Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc, and Golden Kamuy.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting details about the anime’s cast and main staff, and more information was unveiled during the recent Anime NYC event. The first episode of Hana-Kimi premiered there, captivating audiences and setting the stage for its global release. Crunchyroll will handle the streaming rights for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, the CIS, and India.

Hana-Kimi, renowned as Hisaya Nakajo‘s magnum opus, originally ran from 1996 to 2004 in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine. The manga follows the story of Mizuki, a Japanese-American athlete who transfers to an all-boys high school in Japan to be close to her idol, Izumi Sano. Disguising herself as a boy, she navigates the challenges of maintaining her secret while dealing with the complexities of high school life.

Nakajo’s unique narrative style and compelling characters have resonated deeply with readers worldwide. She continued the story with a short continuation in 2011 and added a special chapter in 2014. Most recently, in 2021, she introduced Himitsu – Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e After School. While Nakajo’s passing at the age of 50 in October 2023 was a significant loss, her enduring legacy continues to inspire and captivate fans.

This anime adaptation is a testament to Nakajo’s impact and a tribute to her enduring legacy. The upcoming series promises to bring the beloved manga to life in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant way, introducing a new generation of viewers to the heartwarming and thrilling world of Hana-Kimi.

News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com