The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Roku Sakura’s manga, “April Showers Bring May Flowers” (ブスに花束を。- Busu ni Hanataba o, lit. “Bouquet for an Ugly Girl”), is set to premiere on July 4, 2025. A new trailer has been released, revealing additional cast members and the ending theme song.
The Story Blossoms: What to Expect
“April Showers Bring May Flowers” tells the story of Hana Tabata, a high school student plagued by self-doubt and convinced she’s unattractive. Hana finds solace in shojo manga, dreaming of becoming the heroine of her own story. One morning, while tending to the classroom flowers, she’s caught by Yosuke Ueno, the most popular guy in school. This encounter sets in motion a heartwarming and humorous journey as Hana begins to interact with her classmates and slowly transforms her world.
Yen Press, which publishes the English version of the manga, describes the story: “Hana Tabata has accepted her role as the unattractive side character in other people’s stories… But when the most popular guy in class stumbles upon a daydreaming Hana, she braces herself for the embarrassment and humiliation to come. Unexpectedly, he keeps her secret—and he also won’t stop striking up conversations with her! Ever the pessimist, Hana can’t help feeling suspicious…But could it be that his friendly demeanor is genuine?”
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
The “April Showers Bring May Flowers” anime will begin broadcasting on TOKYO MX, MBS, and BS Nippon TV in Japan starting July 4, 2025.
Meet the Cast: Voices Behind the Characters
The main cast includes:
- Hana Tabata voiced by Saori Hayami
- Yosuke Ueno voiced by Shimba Tsuchiya
- Sumire Uguisudani voiced by Yoshino Aoyama
- Tetsuo Gotanda voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya
New additions to the cast:
- Tsutomu Shinbashi voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka: A high school boy wary of others’ opinions due to a past experience.
- Keisuke Ueno voiced by Makoto Koichi: Yosuke’s younger brother, an elementary school student with mature judgment skills.
Tasuku Hatanaka shared his thoughts on the series, stating, “To be honest, I could really understand Tabata’s feelings, so I was really empathetic when I read the original work. In the process, it made me realize how warm a feeling it is to say, ‘I love you.’ So I really like this work.”
Koichi Makoto also commented, “A must-see for anyone wanting to feel heart-warming! When I read the original work and during the dubbing, I laughed at the contrast between Tabata-san’s negative, shy personality but his wild behavior inside, and I was healed every episode by Ueno-kun’s cheerful and natural personality. The love between these two…I’m sure everyone will want to root for them with all their might. And the characters who support them are quirky and warm-hearted. You’ll want to jump into this world and spend your youth with them.”
Staff and Production Details
The anime is being produced by Silver Link, known for series like “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!” and “The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!”.
- Director and Series Composer: Mirai Minato (“Mission: Yozakura Family”)
- Character Designer: Miwa Oshima (“My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!”)
- Sub-Character Designer: Beat
- Prop Designer: Moe Tanaka
- Art Director: Eito Nakahara
- 3D Object Art Designer: Yoshiteru Enomoto
- Color Designer: Akira Igarashi
- Director of Photography: Yuko Shintani
- Editor: Yuji Kondo
- Music: Yuki Hayashi (“My Hero Academia”) and Shogo Yamashiro
Theme Songs: Setting the Mood
TWS featuring Ayumu Imazu will perform the opening theme song, “Bloom.” The ending theme song will be “Souvenir” by the Japanese rock band GLASGOW.
Manga Origins: A Blooming Success
The original manga series by Roku Sakura was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace magazine from April 2016 to September 2022. The series is compiled into 12 tankobon volumes. A “special edition” series, titled “April Showers Bring May Flowers: Bloom” (ブスに花束を。～Bloom～, Busu ni Hanataba o: Bloom), began in Young Ace on March 4, 2025. Yen Press has licensed the series for English publication, starting in November 2024.
Themes and Analysis: More Than Just a Rom-Com
“April Showers Bring May Flowers” tackles themes of self-esteem, social anxiety, and the challenges of high school life with a blend of humor and heart. The protagonist, Hana, is a relatable character who struggles with her self-image and often compares herself to the heroines in her favorite shojo manga. The series explores how kindness and genuine connection can help overcome insecurities and foster personal growth.
The manga cleverly plays with the tropes of the romantic comedy genre, subverting expectations and offering a fresh perspective on the “unpopular girl meets popular boy” storyline. It emphasizes that true beauty lies within and that how you act is more important than how you look.
Why You Should Watch
“April Showers Bring May Flowers” promises to be a delightful and heartwarming anime series. With its relatable characters, engaging storyline, and beautiful animation, it’s sure to appeal to fans of romantic comedies and slice-of-life anime. The series’ positive message about self-acceptance and the importance of genuine connection makes it a must-watch for anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt or social anxiety. Get ready to bloom along with Hana as she discovers her own inner beauty and finds love in unexpected places.
