It has been over 20 years since the conclusion of the late Hisaya Nakajo’s manga series, and this Hana Kimi anime review explores the long-awaited adaptation of the classic shoujo title.
This is the very first time an anime version is being released despite the many successful live-action adaptations that debuted throughout East Asia in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
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The original comedy-romance manga by Hisaya began its run in 1996 within the pages of the semi-monthly shoujo magazine Hana to Yume. Published by Hakusensha, the series continued until 2004 and reached a total of 23 volumes. It remains one of the best-selling shoujo manga series of all time, with over 17 million copies sold in Japan alone.
The 2007 Japanese drama, starring Maki Horikita, Shun Oguri, and Toma Ikuta, was a massive success. It won several major awards at the 54th Television Drama Academy Awards, including Best Drama, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. The 2006 Taiwanese version also received international attention and earned a nomination for Best Juvenile Drama at the 2007 Seoul International Drama Awards.
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The Hana Kimi anime adaptation was picked up by the studio Signal.MD. This is the same animation house that has worked on notable titles in the past, including Net-juu no Susume, Platinum End, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, and Fate/Grand Order: Divine Realm of the Round Table – Camelot Wandering; Agateram.
In this spoiler-free Hana Kimi anime review, we’ll take a look at the anime adaptation and see if it lives up to the reputation of the beloved story.
Hana Kimi anime review: A more faithful adaptation of the best-selling shoujo manga
For context, I am a big fan of the original television adaptation of Hana Kimi that aired in 2007. It was my guilty pleasure after school, and I watched it from start to finish when a television network picked it up to be broadcast locally on national television. You could say I grew up with the drama series, and it was my introduction to the world of Japanese dramas.
If you are an original live-action viewer like me, you might find a change of pace in this version. The Hana Kimi anime is a modern adaptation of the classic by Hisaya Nakajo, and it brings a fresh look to the familiar story.
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Hana Kimi is short for Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, or For You in Full Blossom. It is a shoujo romantic comedy centered on Mizuki Ashiya, played by Aya Yamane (young Nico Robin in One Piece, Daitaku Helios in Uma Musume, Misao Makimachi in Rurouni Kenshin), a Japanese American girl who enrolls in an all-boys boarding school disguised as a male student.
Her goal is to encourage her idol, a high jumper named Izumi Sano, played by Taku Yashiro (Gugu in To Your Eternity, Kouichi Shindou in Horimiya, Sanosuke in Rurouni Kenshin), to return to his sport after he decided to quit. By sheer coincidence, Mizuki is assigned as Sano’s roommate, which forces her to constantly hide her gender while living in close quarters with her hero.
The Hana Kimi episode 1 jumps right into the main plot, focusing on our protagonist as she goes through some major life changes.
Even though this is an anime, which is a medium that usually allows for exaggerated performances, the show seems to be missing a sense of camp that made the original Japanese live-action version so iconic. It feels more grounded, which might be a surprise for long-time fans who were expecting that over-the-top energy.
Mizuki and Shuuichi Nakatsu, played by Kikunosuke Toya (Denji in Chainsaw Man, Chouji Tomiyama in Windbreaker, Fubuki in The Elusive Samurai), are my favorite duo, and they still get into hilarious and awkward situations related to her secret identity. Their conversations about gender and their interactions are a highlight in Hana Kimi episode 1.
The Hana Kimi anime adaptation captures the heart of the story, but it does not quite reach the same level of comedy seen in the past. It feels like a more straightforward take on the manga, which changes the overall vibe and pacing of the story.
Hana Kimi anime review: Kikunosuke Toya is a standout star as Nakatsu
Despite my reservations in pacing and portrayal, I do feel that the animation by Signal.MD makes each character shine, showcasing individual unique charms of the cast while sticking to a simple and clean style.
Kikunosuke does a stellar job of bringing the upbeat personality of Nakatsu to life. He sports an Osaka dialect as well, which remains faithful to the source material.
The music is another high point for this production. The famous duo Yoasobi performs both the opening and ending songs for the series. Both tracks are upbeat, and they really help set a tone that is light and fun and romantic. Having such music involved adds to the modern feel of the adaptation and matches the energy of the school setting perfectly.
Hana Kimi anime review score
| HANA KIMI ANIME REVIEW | SCORE |
| Story: narrative and writing | 9/10 |
| Characters | 8/10 |
| Visuals and animation | 7/10 |
| Music and sound | 9/10 |
| Pacing and structure | 8/10 |
| Overall | 8.2/10 |
Hana Kimi episode 1 is off to a great start with a more faithful adaptation of the celebrated work by Hisaya Nakajo. By returning to the roots of the manga while showcasing a modern school setting, this adaptation offers something fresh for both old and new fans. It honors the legacy of the original story while finally giving this classic shoujo title the animated spotlight it deserves.
Watch the Hana Kimi anime on Crunchyroll from January 4, 2026 onwards.
