Crunchyroll's first-ever anime adaptation of the beloved manga Hana-Kimi has officially wrapped its debut season, introducing a new generation to the story of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to attend an all-boys school. To celebrate, we're sitting down with the English voice cast to get the inside scoop on bringing this decades-old tale to animated life.
Katelyn Barr (Mizuki Ashiya), Wyatt Baker (Izumi Sano), and Dallas Reid (Shuichi Nakatsu) recently opened up about the project, reflecting on why the manga's premise—first published nearly 30 years ago—still resonates so powerfully today. The trio agreed that the story's exploration of diverse relationships is a key ingredient to its longevity.
The Secret to a Timeless Story
"It's a timeless love story, but it's about more than romance," Barr explained. "It shows all kinds of love, including the deep bonds of friendship. That's something everyone can connect with, even if they've never been in such a uniquely wild situation." Baker echoed this sentiment, praising the narrative's "awesome" depiction of various forms of devotion and the sheer fun of watching the characters navigate constant, escalating scenarios.
Dallas Reid pointed to the masterful suspense as another major draw. "Beyond the classic 'will they/won't they' romance, there's the thrilling tension of the secret itself," he said. "The audience is always wondering who will discover Mizuki's truth, when it will happen, and what they'll do. That adds a whole other layer of engagement." This kind of layered storytelling is what makes certain series stand out, much like the anime revolutionaries that shattered genre conventions.
Finding the Right Voice
When it came to preparing for their roles, the actors took intriguingly different paths. Barr and Reid deliberately avoided previous live-action adaptations to experience the plot fresh alongside their characters. "I didn't want to spoil myself or be overly influenced," Barr noted, though she expressed excitement to eventually binge the live-action versions. Reid added that for his impulsive character Nakatsu, not knowing what comes next actually helped his performance.
Baker, who was aware of the manga beforehand, chose to read it "for vibes" after being cast, but avoided digging too deep into future plot points. "The live-action adaptations are awesome and live in my heart, but the anime feels distinct," he shared. "I wasn't directly basing my performance on them, but they're always there in the back of my mind as other incarnations of these characters." This thoughtful approach to character building mirrors the dedication seen in cinema's most powerful epic performances.
The Delicate Art of Performance
Finding the perfect voice for a beloved character from page to screen is a unique challenge. Barr described the fun and complexity of voicing Mizuki, who must subtly modulate her voice depending on who she's with and the situation she's in. Baker highlighted the specific tightrope walk required for his character, Sano: "The line between stoic and stone is really fine," he revealed, emphasizing the work needed to convey deep emotion beneath a calm exterior.
The chemistry between the cast was palpable, both on and off the microphone. The actors shared laughs about their time in the recording booth, where they built a rapport that translated into the dynamic relationships seen on screen. This collaborative spirit is often what transforms a good adaptation into a great one, capturing the original's heart while offering something new for fans and newcomers alike.
With its debut season complete, Crunchyroll's Hana-Kimi proves that a great story, no matter its age, can find new life and new audiences. The care taken by its voice cast to honor the source material while delivering fresh performances is a testament to the enduring power of this classic romantic comedy. For those who enjoy discovering impactful stories from the past, it's worth exploring other buried treasures from classic genres.
