Fans of the critically acclaimed Odd Taxi TV anime can anticipate a return to its unique world with the announcement of two compilation films set for limited theatrical screenings in Japan. These films will cover the entirety of the 13-episode series and will also feature a special preview of The Last Blossom (Housenka), an upcoming original anime film from the creators of Odd Taxi.
Compilation Films to Revisit the Original Series
The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Odd Taxi anime confirmed that the two compilation films will screen across two separate weeks in September. The first film, encompassing episodes 1-7, is scheduled for September 10-11. Following this, the second film, covering episodes 8-13, will be shown from September 17-18. These screenings will be limited to just five theaters in Japan.
It is important to note that these newly announced compilation films are distinct from Odd Taxi: In the Woods, the “reconstruction” film released in April 2022. While In the Woods offered a recap of the TV anime’s events and depicted what happened after its finale, the new compilation films serve specifically to present the series in two parts while also promoting the upcoming The Last Blossom movie.
Odd Taxi TV Anime’s Enduring Popularity
The original Odd Taxi anime series, produced by OLM and P.I.C.S., first premiered in Japan in April 2021 and ran for 13 episodes. It quickly garnered critical acclaim for its intricate mystery plot, sharp dialogue, and distinctive anthropomorphic animal characters, centered around Hiroshi Odokawa, a walrus taxi driver entangled in a missing person’s case. Crunchyroll streamed the series in Western territories. The anime’s unique approach to storytelling, blending slice-of-life elements with a compelling murder mystery, has drawn comparisons to works by filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch.
The Last Blossom – A New Original Film from the Odd Taxi Team
The compilation film screenings are timed to commemorate the October 10 release of The Last Blossom (Housenka), an original anime film that will also feature preview footage during the compilation screenings. This highly anticipated movie reunites the creative duo behind Odd Taxi: director Baku Kinoshita and writer Kazuya Konomoto.
The Last Blossom has already received international recognition, having been selected to compete in Annecy 2025’s Feature Film Competition and previously showcased at Annecy 2024’s Work-in-Progress lineup.
Delving into The Last Blossom‘s Narrative and Production
The synopsis for The Last Blossom reveals a poignant and reflective story. It follows Akutsu, an elderly inmate serving a life sentence, who is nearing a lonely death in his cell in Autumn 2023. His reflections on his past begin when a talking Housenka (balsam) flower addresses him, prompting him to revisit his life, including his time as a yakuza in Summer 1986, and his family’s story as told by the blooming flower.
CLAP (known for Pompo: The Cinéphile and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes) is in charge of the film’s animation production and planning. Michinoku-Toge is credited for the concept art, and the band cero is composing the film’s music, with their song “Moving Still Life” serving as the theme. The film’s voice cast features veteran actors such as Kaoru Kobayashi and Junki Tozuka portraying Minoru Akutsu across different life stages, with Hikari Mitsushima, Yoshiko Miyazaki, and Pierre Taki also lending their voices, the latter as the titular talking Housenka flower.
