The highly anticipated anime film The Last Blossom, known in Japan as Housenka, has revealed additional cast members, key production staff, and its opening theme song in a recently released trailer video. The film is set to premiere in Japan on October 10.
Unveiling the Voice Talent
The new trailer for The Last Blossom has confirmed a robust cast, featuring both seasoned actors and newcomers. The protagonist, Akutsu, an elderly inmate, will be voiced by veteran actor Kaoru Kobayashi. The younger iteration of Akutsu will be brought to life by Junki Tozuka, marking his debut voice acting role.
The character of Nana Nagata, Akutsu’s partner, will also be portrayed by two different voice actresses across different time periods. Hikari Mitsushima will voice the younger Nana Nagata, while Yoshiko Miyazaki will take on the role of the older Nana. The enigmatic Housenka flower, central to the film’s narrative, will be voiced by Pierre Taki. Further additions to the cast include Hideaki Murata, Hiroki Yasumoto, Sōma Saitō, and Kōta Nakayama, enriching the ensemble.
The Creative Minds Behind the Narrative
The film boasts a strong creative team, with many members having previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed series Odd Taxi. Directing The Last Blossom is Baku Kinoshita, who also takes on character design duties for the film. The screenplay and original concept are credited to Kazuya Konomoto, a frequent collaborator with Kinoshita.
Key Production Staff Detailed
The animation production and planning for The Last Blossom are handled by CLAP, a studio recognized for its work on films such as Pompo: The Cinéphile. Michinoku-Toge is credited as the concept artist, contributing to the visual foundation of the film. Further technical credits include Yuji Hosogoe as Animation Director, Koji Kasamatsu for sound, Yoshiki Ushiroda for editing, Takumi Hoshina for compositing, and Ayumi Sato for artistic direction. Ryoichiro Matsuo from CLAP Animation Studio is listed as a producer.
The film’s Japanese distribution is managed by Pony Canyon, which also serves as the international distributor. Anime Limited, with Timothy Killian, is responsible for distribution in the U.K. and Ireland.
The Melodic Voice of the Film
The trailer also provided a preview of the film’s opening theme song. The band cero is responsible for composing the film’s music, and their track “Moving Still Life” has been revealed as the opening theme. Specific members of cero, Shohei Takagi, Yu Arauchi, and Tsubasa Hashimoto, are credited for the music. This musical collaboration promises to add an emotional depth to the film’s exploration of themes such as mortality, memory, and the possibility of redemption.
The film’s plot centers on Akutsu, an elderly inmate serving a life sentence, who encounters a talking balsam flower named Housenka. This unexpected encounter prompts Akutsu to reflect on his past life, including his relationship with Nana and her son Kensuke. The Last Blossom has also garnered international attention, being selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025.
