A new key visual and trailer have been released ahead of the premiere of the Dark Gathering anime series next summer. The main cast has also been announced, with Yu Sasahara playing Yayoi Hozuki, Nobunaga Shimazaki playing Keitaro Gentoga, and Kana Hanazawa playing Eiko Hozuki. The cast has also provided comments, which you can read below!   The Dark Gathering manga was launched in Shueisha’s Jump SQ in March 2019. Created by Kenichi Kondo, the series follow Keitaro Gentoga, a boy with the ability to see spirits. A shut-in for over two years, he slowly reintroduces himself to society as a private tutor, where he meets an incredibly smart girl named Yayoi Hozuki. She’s instantly able to see Keitaro’s mysterious skill and quicking invites him to go with her to a haunted place. From there, the two begin capturing evil spirits.   The anime is being directed at OLM by Hiroshi Ikehata, known for his work on FLCL Progressive. Shigeru Murakoshi is in charge of series composition while Shinya Segawa provided character designs.The key visual shows the three main characters in front of a spooky Torii gate, each holding candles to add to the mysterious atmosphere.   The trailer also shows the three characters in action and is filled with traditional horror elements. Fans certainly have their hopes up for this one!   Keep an eye out for more details about Dark Gathering ahead of its broadcast in the summer of 2023!  

Cast Comments

Yu Sasahara (Yayoi Hozuki)“I’m Yu Sasahara, and I’m happy to announce that I’ll be playing the role of Yayoi Hozuki! I’ve always loved spooky occult stories, so when I asked to audition for Dark Gathering, I quickly read the original manga and was overwhelmed by its incredible world. It was so fascinating! I felt like I was meant to play Yayoi! I’ll do my best to make sure that everyone enjoys both the horror and the fighting elements, so let’s go!!”   Nobunaga Shimazaki (Keitaro Gentoga)“Keitaro is a boy who’s attracted to the occult and who is constantly being pushed around by ghosts and his occult-loving childhood friends. Something I love about him is that no matter how many times he finds himself in a bad situation, he always manages to react in a different way and never gets accustomed to it. Even people who don’t typically like horror might like this series just for Keitaro’s reactions! (laugh)   The staff and cast have worked incredibly hard to bring this series to life. Ghost-centric horror anime is pretty rare these days, so I hope that you’ll love it as much as the original manga!”   Kana Hanazawa (Eiko Hozuki)“To be honest, I’m not good with horror. Dark Gathering is seriously scary, but putting myself into Eiko’s shoes made things easier! She’s so excited by psychic phenomena that she’s strangely okay with the terrifying things happening around her. Sure, she’s a little weird, but that’s okay! Eiko, thank you! Both fans who have read the manga and those totally new to the story will have a great time–it’s scary, but it’s super compelling too.”   Ⓒ近藤憲一／集英社・ダークギャザリング製作委員会

In March 2022, the cover song project CrosSing was launched. Amassing instant popularity, tracks featured as part of the project have pulled in hundreds of millions of views. The project has featured popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, and Akari Kito.  Ahead of the release of CrosSing Collection Vol. 1 on September 21, a clip of Kana Hanazawa’s cover of Rain has been uploaded to YouTube. The song will be included as a bonus track on the album.    The track was used as the ending theme for Makoto Shinkai’s short anime film The Garden of Words, in which Hanazawa played the lead role.    Rain - Kana Hanazawa (Sample Video)

  Preorders for CrosSing Collection Vol. 1 are now open at the Canime shop.

Kakehiki wa Poker Face, the newest song from Kana Hanazawa, will serve as the opening theme for the romantic comedy anime series When Will Ayumu Make His Move? The song will be released on July 20, 2022, and a new photo of the artist has been released ahead of the single. Hanazawa transferred to the Pony Canyon label in 2021, releasing the song Moonlight Magic in September. Her second single SHINOBI-NAI was released on November 3, and her first album via Pony Canyon, BLOSSOM, dropped on February 23, 2022. The opening for the new anime series When Will Ayumu Make His Move?, Kakehiki wa Poker Face is an upbeat electro dance-pop number that might inspire those who are having trouble taking the next step forward.    Hanazawa herself will provide the voice of Maki in the series, which is set to premiere in July.

FIREBUG studio and animation planning and production company Enishiya have teamed up for a new short anime, Massara. The animation itself was inspired by the song of the same name by Kiyoe Yoshioka, the lead singer of the popular pop duo Ikinonogakari. This was her first original solo song.    The animation is a cross between a music video and a brief anime. The story follows a singer-songwriter, Nazuna (Voiced by Yoshioka), who is about to stop chasing her dream, along with a shy girl, Yuna. As they meet, they influence each other to keep running towards their respective dreams. Yuna is voiced by Kana Hanazawa, known for voicing Mitsuri Kanroji in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Both the music video and short anime are available to watch on the official Ikimonogakari YouTube channel, so check it out!     Comments from Performers and Staff  

Kiyoe Yoshioka (Nazuna) 

"I tried as hard as I could, and when I realized how much I was putting into the role, it was over in an instant. The animation was so beautiful that I was drawn in and was able to enjoy working on it. I was very moved by the scene where Nazuna and Yuna, the two main characters' thoughts and inner struggle for the songs are depicted, and their feelings really connected with each other. One of the highlights of the film is the faithful reproduction of the scenery of the station where I used to perform on the street when I made my debut. I think this is a kind of work that you can feel 'real.' I hope you will all enjoy it."   

Kana Hanazawa (Yuna)

"The animation was so delicate and captivating that I wanted it to be released in theaters as it was, and I felt that it was a work that was created with great care. I've listened to a lot of Yoshioka-san's singing voice, so I was very happy to be able to participate in such a wonderful project. She was very friendly and talked to me a lot during the recording process. I became more and more a fan of her personality, which is refreshing and gentle, and makes me feel comfortable being in the same space with her. I think the anime has a joy of being able to enjoy Yoshioka-san's voice to the fullest, and also has the depth of flavor of the songs you listen to while feeling the story!"   

Keita Nagahara (Director)

“Before the actual post-recording session, we had a practice session as a test, where I explained the nuances of the dialogue and the character’s emotions, but Yoshioka already seemed completely capable of capturing Nazuka with very little prep. Her voice is charming, and although she doesn’t have a ton of voice acting experience, I was amazed by her natural talent. The song scene at the beginning was recorded right in front of me, and I was so moved by the power of her voice. This work is beautiful, and I was able to work with an amazing staff to create a short film that really emphasizes the atmosphere in which these characters live. Just as Yuna, who was unable to sing in front of others, was able to take a step forward with Nazuna, I hope that this film inspires someone else to take another step.”  

Japanese voice actress veteran Kana Hanazawa (Oreimo, Steins;Gate, Tokyo Ghoul, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) has moved labels to Pony Canyon and announced the release of her first single with them. Titled Moonlight Magic, it will be released on CD on September 29, 2021.   Moonlight Magic is Kana's first single to be released since Daijobu in July 2018. It will feature lyrics written by her and be made in collaboration with Japanese sound producer Katsutoshi Kitagawa who has worked with Kana since her early years in the industry. The single will be coupled with the song Minato no Mieru Oka which also has lyrics written by Kana, as well as two Chinese versions of both tracks.   The title track will be used as the opening theme for the Japanese drama series Omimi ni Aimashitara which will begin airing on TV Tokyo on July 8.  

Kana Hanazawa | Comment

I have made the decision to move from ANIPLEX and SACRA MUSIC, where I have been for around nine years, to Pony Canyon. This is a positive reason for me to continue actively delivering music. I'm really happy to be able to take on new challenges without worry together with the staff that I'm usually working with on anime.   While it has been frustrating to not be able to see all the people who have been supporting me, as well as my live shows being stopped, due to COVID-19, I have been working hard with the music producer Katsutoshi Kitagawa to create songs. We're working on a lot of great songs which I can't wait for everyone to hear.   My first single, "Moonlight Magic," was composed by Katsutoshi Kitagawa and the lyrics were written by me. We poured all of our energy in, which has grown over the past nine years, into this sparkling song reminiscent of "Hoshizora Destination." In the lyrics, I wrote about my hopes that people will cherish the time when they feel happy because the world is so constrained right now.   I'm looking forward to this song reaching everyone, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again in that happy place at my next live show. Thank you for your continued support!!   ©「お耳に合いましたら。」製作委員会 

Human Lost is an upcoming animated film adaptation of Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai’s 1948 novel Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human). It is set for worldwide release in 2019, which would mark Dazai's 110th birthday were he alive today. It has just been announced that Japanese voice actress Kana Hanazawa is joining the cast to perform the role of the mysterious heroine Yoshiki Hiiragi. Yoshiki is part of Hirame, a secret government organisation set up to fight the "Human Lost" phenomenon.   Hanazawa is a veteran voice actress who has provided her voice to countless famous roles and series including Nadeko Sengoku in the Monogatari series, Kuroneko in Oreimo and Mayuri Shiina in Steins;Gate. She is also a singer and  performed overseas for the first time last month.   Hear her speak in the new Human Lost trailer below.

  Kana Hanazawa answered several questions related to the role which you can read below.   Q. Please tell us your impressions of Yoshiki Hiiragi as a character. Kana Hanazawa: "She has cute looks like that of an idol and a gentle personality with consideration for others. She's a strong-willed girl who puts much thought in how she should live and what she can do for others." Q. Please give a few words to all the fans looking forward to seeing Human Lost. "I am overjoyed to be involved with this film, together with all of the staff whose names could get me excited simply by reading them, and who have come together to remake No Longer Human. Don't miss seeing how [the characters] live their frantic ways of life as you become immerse in the profound world that has been delicately spun."   The film’s story is set in 2036. A breakthrough in medical science has led to the creation of nanomachines, and the S.H.E.L.L. system that controls them, which ensures humans are free from disease and injury and extends their lifespan to 120. But this ultimate social system has warped the Japanese nation in a number of ways, whether it be economical disparities, serious environmental pollution, or the “Human Lost” phenomenon that malforms people disconnected from the S.H.E.L.L. network.   ©2019 HUMAN LOST Project