Aniplex and Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that the late author Hisaya Nakajo's Hana-Kimi manga is being adapted into an anime. Additionally, Crunchyroll announced that it will stream the anime when it premieres in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, CIS, and India. The announcement did not reveal the anime's premiere date, cast, staff, or format.
Image via Crunchyroll
©中条比紗也・白泉社/ 「花ざかりの君たちへ」アニメ製作委員会
Crunchyroll has released an English translation of Hana magazine's editorial statement to Yume:
Hana-Kimi's about to become an anime!
This is a project that has been discussed for some time with Hisaya Nakajo-sensei as we move things forward. Nakajo-sensei looked over rough drafts of the characters and script, and she looked forward to seeing the world of”Hana-Kimi” presented in a different way from the manga.
It's very good. It's a shame that we can't see the finished product with Sensei, but thanks to the enthusiastic support of readers,'Hana-Kimi'will return as an anime in time for the manga's 20th anniversary born. is over, and we are truly grateful for it.
The Hana to Yume editorial board and production team have worked together to meet the expectations of Nakajo-sensei and readers, so please look forward to the broadcast!”
© Hisaya Nakajo, Hakusensha
Nakajo passed away at the age of 50 on October 12 last year due to heart disease.
Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e (Hana-Kimi) is Nakajo's seminal work, serialized in Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine from 1996 to 2004. The manga inspired a live-action television series in 2007 and a second live-action series starring AKB48 idol group member Atsuko Maeda in 2011. In addition to the two live-action Japanese action television series, the manga has also inspired another live-action television version in South Korea and a 2006 live-action television version in Taiwan.
Nakajo made a short sequel to the Hana-Kimi manga in 2011, and published a special chapter in 2014. The latest update to the series is Himitsu-Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e After School, released in 2021. Viz Media published the Hana-Kimi manga in North America and also published her Sugar Princess manga. Viz Media describes Hana-Kimi:
Japanese-American track star Mizuki has decided to transfer to a high school in Japan…but not just any school! To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she will attend an all-boys high school…and disguise herself as a boy! But as fate would have it, they are more than just classmates…they are roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in her own classroom, locker room, and bedroom. And her classmates—and the school nurse—must cope with a new transfer student who may make them question their own direction…
Source: website, Crunchyroll (Kyle Cardine)