Anthos* Voice Actors Reflect on Seven Years of ‘HuaDoll*’: A Journey of Idols and Human Emotion

Seven Years of Anthos: A Journey Through Seasons
“Even After the Story Ends, the Music and Narrative Live On”
Latest Announcements: Fanbook, Scenario, and a Special Giveaway
A Heartfelt Farewell from the Cast

Seven Years of Anthos: A Journey Through Seasons

Welcomed by enthusiastic applause, the three voice actors took the stage, with Hamano-san serving as MC. The first segment, “Anthos Memorial Talk,” invited the cast to revisit each of the four seasons, sharing anecdotes previously kept secret to avoid spoilers.

Reflecting on the 1st season, Horie-san noted, “It wasn’t just an idol story; it delved into human struggles, even before I joined as Setsuna.” He admitted to initial anxieties about joining an established group, feeling a strong “Anthos is six members” sentiment among fans and cast alike. However, Hamano-san affirmed, “Setsuna’s addition brought new color to the group,” and Yamashita-san added, “Now, it feels incomplete without Horie-san.” This heartfelt exchange highlighted the group’s evolving dynamic.

<img alt="Anthos Memorial Talk” src=”https://minio.s-pst.com/monolab/plugins/c6ab0a79a3ae20617bb6f248a5da59c2.webp” />

Moving to the 2nd season, Hamano-san recalled, “The plot became more ominous, with foreshadowing emphasized.” Horie-san echoed this, saying, “The atmosphere at the time mirrored the story.” Yamashita-san playfully asked the audience, “Since when have you been ‘thinking reeds’?”—a term fans use for their deep analysis of the complex plot. Hands shot up from across the audience, spanning from the 1st season to the last album, a testament to the series’ enduring engagement. The discussion also touched upon the full-scale debut of “Louloudi” in the 2nd season, with Yamashita-san recalling his involvement in their side of the story.

The 3rd season brought new challenges as the idols experienced side effects from their “flowering.” Hamano-san highlighted the contrasting reality: “The seven members appeared energetic publicly, but their private lives were slowly unraveling.” Yamashita-san shared a moment from recording where he accidentally overheard a director’s comment, “Setsuna is Mahiro’s…” which fueled his curiosity about their relationship. His surprise and emotion upon later discovering the truth—that Setsuna’s older brother had always been by Mahiro’s side—resonated deeply with the audience.

As the conversation turned to the climactic 4th season, the cast admitted to frequently pressing the production staff for details, eager to know what would happen next. Hamano-san reflected, “We all felt sad when recording finished, but there’s also a sense of accomplishment in seeing it through to the end.” Horie-san expressed his surprise, “I never thought an idol content project would let us play characters until the very end.” Yamashita-san added, “Aging alongside the characters made it feel even more dramatic.”

Regarding the revelations in the final album, Horie-san empathized, “I felt so much pity for the ‘true Setsuna’.” Yamashita-san responded with a wry smile, “My father apologizes,” referring to Mahiro’s father, Amagiri Hajime, whose actions were central to the plot. Yamashita-san also shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes detail from R/0, suggesting that after all he had done, Amagiri Hajime might no longer be able to live openly in society.

The cast, having walked with the project for approximately seven years, collectively voiced, “It was hard to feel like it was truly over.” Yet, Yamashita-san praised the series, stating, “It’s truly remarkable that we were able to reach a clear goal and conclude the story properly.”

“Even After the Story Ends, the Music and Narrative Live On”

The event featured a special reading play, penned exclusively for the occasion. Hamano-san, Yamashita-san, and Horie-san’s nuanced performances brought to life a story set after the final album, depicting Ryoga, Mahiro, and Setsuna’s evolving paths.

The narrative unfolded with Ryoga writing a letter without an address, while Mahiro, on the run with Setsuna, continued to think of him from afar. This melancholic yet warm progression, coupled with an enigma and photo revealed on Anthos‘s official X account the day before, subtly linked reality and fiction, a hallmark of the ‘HuaDoll‘ universe. As the reading play concluded to thunderous applause, many fans were seen wiping away tears. Yamashita-san, his voice trembling with emotion, remarked, “Even after the story ends, we cannot stop being ‘thinking reeds.’ This is truly an incredible work.”

Latest Announcements: Fanbook, Scenario, and a Special Giveaway

Towards the end of the event, exciting new information was unveiled. The cover visual for “HuaDoll The Anthos Anatomy,” a fanbook focusing on Anthos and currently available for pre-order, was revealed for the first time. Cheers erupted from the audience when it was announced that the scenario for the special reading play performed at the event would be included as a bonus.

<img alt=""The Anthos Anatomy" Cover Art” src=”https://minio.s-pst.com/monolab/plugins/40c918d8634b9d5a4d332a82f68aa9b9.webp” />

Additionally, a lottery campaign was announced, offering one lucky fan the chance to win a life-size PLANTs figure, which has appeared at all ‘HuaDoll‘ events.

“HuaDoll The Anthos Anatomy” Details:
Enclosed Bonus: Memorial Visual Card 5-piece set (featuring 1st-4th season concept visuals and stage event key visual) and the Completion Memorial Talk Event Reading Scenario Booklet.

Purchase Benefits: Early bird paid bonuses available at Animate and Movic, offering “Choose Your Favorite Member Special Set” (includes original stickers, “Oshibana” bookmark, and a “Behind The Scenes Short Story”). Stellaworth offers a corner-rounded rectangular can badge.

Pre-orders for “HuaDoll The Anthos Anatomy” are open at Animate, Movic, Stellaworth, and other retailers. The deadline for early bird paid bonuses is April 19 (Sunday) at 23:59 JST. For more details, please visit the official ‘HuaDoll‘ HP Discography page: https://hana-doll.com/contents/hp0015/index01560000.html

Life-size PLANTs Present Campaign:
One lucky winner will receive a life-size PLANTs figure. Applications are open until April 15 (Wednesday) at 23:59 JST via the dedicated application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct1aSC2FLT6c9g0867C215uG0A2gn_o8l5pSjqcA6MuaC5OQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

A Heartfelt Farewell from the Cast

Finally, the cast delivered their heartfelt messages to the fans.

Yamashita-san expressed, “This is a special work where we, the cast, deepened our bonds and grew together, just like Anthos. I’m only now truly feeling the end and it’s making me sad, but I’ll continue to work hard, drawing strength from what I gained through ‘HuaDoll.’ I’m grateful for this wonderful encounter with the work and with all of you!”

Horie-san shared, “While I can reunite with the other actors and staff, it’s sad that we can no longer meet as ‘HuaDoll.’ I believe this has become an unforgettable, irreplaceable work for everyone. Although I joined midway as Setsuna, these five years felt both long and fleeting. Thank you for your support until today.”

Hamano-san concluded, “‘HuaDoll‘, which we created by supporting each other—the Anthos members and staff—has become a work forever etched into my being. Even though the series has concluded, the music and story will continue to live on, so I would be delighted if you, as Antholic (Anthos fans), continue to support Anthos.”

With Hamano-san’s cue, all cast members bowed to the audience, saying, “Thank you very much.” The completion memorial talk event drew to a close amidst a wave of warm applause.

Even after its conclusion, the ‘HuaDoll‘ narrative continues to shine. This event undoubtedly became a cherished memory, forever blooming in the hearts of fans who love the work and its characters. Such immersive idol projects, with their deep narratives and dedicated fan communities, continue to shape and enrich kawaii culture, demonstrating the enduring power of emotional connection and shared experiences across global audiences.

Official ‘HuaDoll‘ Links:
‘HuaDoll‘ Official Website: https://www.hana-doll.com/