Renowned voice actor Natsuki Hanae has been announced as part of the cast for the upcoming original anime feature film, “The Last Blossom” (Housenka), which is slated for a Fall 2025 release in Japan. Hanae, known for iconic roles such as Tanjiro Kamado in “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” and Ken Kaneki in “Tokyo Ghoul,” adds his talent to an already impressive lineup for this highly anticipated movie.
The film, directed by Baku Kinoshita and written by Kazuya Konomoto, both of whom previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed anime “Odd Taxi,” promises a unique narrative. “The Last Blossom” is an animated feature produced by CLAP and distributed by Pony Canyon.
Delving into the Plot of “The Last Blossom”
“The Last Blossom” presents a poignant story spanning different eras, centered around an elderly yakuza member named Akutsu. The narrative begins in Autumn 2023, where Akutsu, a life-sentenced inmate, faces a solitary death in his prison cell. A peculiar talking Housenka (balsam) flower approaches him, remarking on his “rotten life,” which prompts Akutsu to reflect on his past.
The story then shifts to Summer 1986, revealing Akutsu’s life with Nana and her son Kensuke in a humble apartment adorned with Housenka flowers. The film explores themes of a dying yakuza’s unexpected comeback and his family’s story, as told through the perspective of the blooming flower in prison. Director Baku Kinoshita aimed to portray the lives of yakuza in a nuanced way, challenging common stereotypes and showing their need to adapt to societal changes.
The Stellar Voice Cast
The film boasts a talented ensemble of voice actors bringing its characters to life:
- Akutsu: Kaoru Kobayashi voices the past version of Akutsu, while Junki Tozuka takes on the role of the present Akutsu. This marks Tozuka’s first voice acting role.
- Nana Nagata: Akutsu’s partner, Nana Nagata, is voiced by Hikari Mitsushima for her younger self and Yoshiko Miyazaki for her older self.
- Housenka (The Talking Flower): Pierre Taki lends his voice to the mysterious talking Housenka flower.
- Supporting Cast: The cast also includes Hideaki Murata as Hayashida, Akutsu’s henchman; Hiroki Yasumoto as Tsutsumi, Akutsu’s yakuza “big brother”; Sōma Saitō as Wakamatsu, Akutsu’s junior; and Kōta Nakayama as Konishi, another of Akutsu’s henchmen.
While Natsuki Hanae’s specific role in “The Last Blossom” was not detailed in the provided search results, his inclusion is a significant addition to the film’s voice cast, known for his ability to portray a wide range of emotions and characters.
Production and Release Details
“The Last Blossom” is a 90-minute animated film. The music for the film is composed by cero, Shōhei Takagi, Tsubasa Hashimoto, and Yū Arauchi.
The film has garnered international recognition, having been officially selected for the Feature Film Competition at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. A preview of the film was also part of the Work in Progress lineup at a previous Annecy Film Festival.
Japanese audiences can anticipate the theatrical release of “The Last Blossom” on October 10, 2025.
