Pony Canyon has begun streaming the first seven minutes of Baku Kinoshita and Kadzuya Konomoto’s original anime film, The Last Blossom (Housenka), offering an early look at the highly anticipated movie. This preview, released on Friday, builds excitement for the film’s theatrical debut in Japan on October 10.
A Glimpse into “The Last Blossom”
The recently released footage features the opening theme song “Moving Still Life” by the band cero, setting the tone for the philosophical drama. This initial segment provides audiences with an introduction to the film’s unique aesthetic and narrative style, characteristic of its acclaimed creators.
Creative Minds Behind the Film
The Last Blossom is directed by Baku Kinoshita and written by Kadzuya Konomoto, the duo widely recognized for their work on the critically acclaimed anime series Odd Taxi. Their collaboration on this original feature film has drawn significant attention from animation enthusiasts. CLAP, the studio behind Pompo: The Cinéphile and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, is responsible for the animation production, promising a visually engaging experience.
Synopsis and Voice Cast
The film delves into the life of Akutsu, an elderly inmate serving a life sentence, who finds himself reflecting on his past as he faces a lonely death in his cell. His introspection is sparked by a talking Housenka flower, which critically comments on his life. The story then transitions to 1986, exploring Akutsu’s life with Nana and her son Kensuke. It’s described as a tale of a dying yakuza’s one-night comeback and his family’s story, as told by the prison-blooming flower.
The voice cast features a lineup of talented actors. Kaoru Kobayashi and Junki Tozuka both portray Minoru Akutsu at different stages of his life, while Hikari Mitsushima and Yoshiko Miyazaki voice Nana Nagata. Pierre Taki lends his voice to the distinctive talking Housenka flower.
Festival Acclaim and Upcoming Release
The Last Blossom has already garnered international recognition, having screened in the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. A preview was also part of the “Work in Progress” lineup at the festival the previous year, indicating sustained interest in its development. The film is slated for its official Japanese theatrical release on October 10, 2025. Anime Limited and Plaion Pictures have secured distribution rights for the film in several European territories, including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, and Switzerland.
