The science fiction anime series Apocalypse Hotel has announced that Natsuki Hanae will be joining the cast. Hanae, best known for his role as Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, will be voicing Ponstin, a serious-minded physician of the Tanuki Alien people. The announcement was made following the broadcast of Episode 8.
What is Apocalypse Hotel?
Apocalypse Hotel is an original anime produced by CyberAgent and animated by CygamesPictures. Kana Shundo directs the series, with Shigeru Murakoshi handling the series composition and Yoshiaki Fujisawa composing the music. It premiered on April 9, 2025, and is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
The story is set in the year 2057, when an airborne contagion called “infortunium pollution” makes Earth uninhabitable for humans. Humanity flees to space, abandoning the planet. A century later, the Gingarou Hotel in Ginza, Tokyo, remains operational thanks to its autonomous robot staff, led by the gynoid concierge Yachiyo. The robots diligently maintain the hotel, awaiting the return of humanity. One day, their first guest in a century arrives, but it turns out to be an extraterrestrial visitor.
Natsuki Hanae as Ponstin
Natsuki Hanae will be voicing Ponstin, a physician of the Tanuki Alien people. Ponstin is described as serious-minded.
The World of Apocalypse Hotel
In the world of Apocalypse Hotel:
- Infortunium Pollution: An aerial contagion that rendered Earth uninhabitable for primate-based species, including humans, starting in 2057.
- Gingarou Hotel: A solitary hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district that continues to operate despite the collapse of society and the disappearance of humanity.
- Yachiyo: A hotel management robot who manages the Gingarou hotel alongside other robots. She and the other robots continue to maintain the hotel while awaiting the return of its owners and guests.
- Robots: The hotel is staffed by autonomous robots who continue to follow their programming with the belief that humans will eventually return.
Themes and Reception
Apocalypse Hotel explores themes of:
- Post-apocalypse: The series is set in a world where humanity has vanished, and nature has reclaimed most of the land.
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence: The robots in the hotel continue to work despite the absence of humans, raising questions about their purpose and sentience.
- Hope and Loneliness: The robots’ unwavering belief in the return of humanity contrasts with the reality of their isolation.
Some viewers have noted the “end of the world comfy” vibe of the series, comparing it to Girls’ Last Tour. The series blends humor and melancholy.
Other Cast Members
Besides Natsuki Hanae, the cast of Apocalypse Hotel includes:
- Sumire Morohoshi as Ponko
- Hiroki Touchi as Doorman Robot
- Shinichiro Miki as Environment Check Robot
- Hiroyuki Kinoshita as Owner
- Cho as Bunbuku
- Takako Honda as Mami
- Mutsumi Tamura as FUGURI
- Ryoko Sakakibara as Mujina
Where to Watch
Apocalypse Hotel is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
