Seiichiro Yamashita (Mahiro Yuki), Daiki Hamano (Ryoga Kagekawa), and Shun Horie (Setsuna Yashiro) of "Anthos*" Share Their 7-Year Journey | Detailed Report on Part 1 of the "Hana-Doll*" Finale Talk Event

The story spun over seven years has finally come to a close. With the release of its final album, "Hana-Doll* 4th season Human or Doll: Answer," the "Hana-Doll*" series has concluded. A talk event commemorating the finale was held in two parts, day and night, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the "animate hall BLACK" on the 9th floor of the Animate Ikebukuro Main Store.

Appearing at the event were Daiki Hamano (voice of Ryoga Kagekawa), Seiichiro Yamashita (voice of Mahiro Yuki), and Shun Horie (voice of Setsuna Yashiro) from "Anthos*". They held a talk looking back on the series' journey and shared episodes that could only be told now that the work is complete.

Furthermore, the event was a great success, featuring a newly written dramatic reading that depicted Ryoga, Mahiro, and Setsuna after the final album, as well as the other Anthos* members. We bring you a report of this special day, where the passion of the cast who walked alongside the work and the fervent energy of the fans intersected.

### A 7-Year Journey: "It Didn't Really Feel Like It Was Over"

"Hana-Doll*" reached its grand finale with the release of its last album, "Hana-Doll* 4th season Human or Doll: Answer," on Friday, December 26th of last year.

On March 15, 2026, enveloped in the gentle warmth of spring, many fans who had followed the series for years gathered for the commemorative talk event at the "animate hall BLACK" on the 9th floor of the Animate Ikebukuro Main Store. This was a special event for those who had pre-ordered or purchased the final album at Animate stores nationwide or online.

When the time came, Daiki Hamano, Seiichiro Yamashita, and Shun Horie took the stage to a thunderous applause. They introduced themselves one by one, and the talk event began, with Mr. Hamano serving as the MC.

The first corner was the "Anthos* Memorial Talk," looking back from the 1st to the 4th season. Episodes that couldn't be discussed before due to spoilers were finally declassified, and the cast members candidly shared their thoughts.

Regarding the 1st season, Mr. Horie commented on his impression before joining as Setsuna, saying, "It depicted not just their struggles as idols, but also their human worries, so I felt it wasn't just another idol series." He also confessed his initial anxiety, stating, "I felt that everyone strongly believed that Anthos was the six of them." In response, Mr. Hamano said, "Setsuna's addition brought a new color to the group," and Mr. Yamashita added, "Now it feels incomplete without Horieru," affirming that Mr. Horie's high-tone voice is an indispensable presence for "Anthos*".

In a friendly atmosphere, the topic moved to the 2nd season. Mr. Hamano reflected, "I have the impression that the foreshadowing became more pronounced, and the entire story grew more ominous." Mr. Horie added, "The atmosphere at the time was linked to the work itself." When Mr. Yamashita asked the audience, "Since when have you been a 'thinking reed'?" hands were raised for a wide range of periods, from the 1st season to the final album, reaffirming that this is a work loved for many years. Furthermore, when the conversation turned to "Loulou*di," which began in earnest in the 2nd season's "INCOMPLICA:IU～Univers～," Mr. Yamashita recalled also appearing in the "Loulou*di" side of the story in the series' second volume, "INCOMPLICA:I/F～Idéal～."

In the 3rd season, side effects began to appear in the flowered idols. Mr. Hamano touched upon the serious side of the story, saying, "The seven of them are cheerful when they're in public, but their private lives are starting to unravel." Mr. Yamashita recalled, "During a recording session, I accidentally overheard the direction 'Setsuna is Mahiro's...' and I was always curious about that relationship." He spoke of his surprise and emotion when he later learned the truth from the script that "his brother had always been by Mahiro's side," drawing empathy from the audience.

And when the topic shifted to the 4th season, the cast revealed that they would press the production staff at every recording, asking, "What's going to happen?"

Mr. Hamano looked back, saying, "When the recordings were over, we all talked about how sad it was," while also expressing his feelings, "but there's also a refreshing feeling of having seen it through to the end." Mr. Horie expressed his surprise, "I never thought I'd be able to act out an idol content series to the very end," and Mr. Yamashita shared his thoughts on the work, "Growing older with the characters made it feel all the more dramatic."

Regarding the truth revealed in the final album, Mr. Horie commented with empathy for the character, "I just thought the 'real Setsuna' was too pitiful." Mr. Yamashita responded with a wry smile, "My apologies for my father's actions." Furthermore, Mr. Yamashita shared a behind-the-scenes story he heard from R/0-san about the fate of Mahiro's father, Amagiri Hajime: "After doing all that, he probably can't go outside anymore."

The cast, who had walked with the work for about seven years, all said in unison, "It didn't really feel like it was over." Nevertheless, Mr. Yamashita once again praised the work, saying, "It's truly amazing that we were able to aim for a goal and properly conclude it."

### "Even When the Work is Complete, the Songs and Story Live On"

Next was a special dramatic reading written just for this event. The story, depicting Ryoga, Mahiro, and Setsuna after the final album, was woven by the delicate performances of Mr. Hamano, Mr. Yamashita, and Mr. Horie.

While Ryoga pens a letter with no destination, Mahiro, on the run with Setsuna, also thinks of him from afar. In addition to the poignant yet warm and lingering development, the performance also shone with a trick unique to "Hana-Doll*," where reality and story link, as a cipher and photo released on the official Anthos* X account the day before appeared as keys to the story.

As the dramatic reading ended amidst thunderous applause, some fans in the audience could be seen wiping away tears. Mr. Yamashita, his voice trembling with emotion from the moving story, commented thoughtfully, "Even though the story is over, I can't stop being a 'thinking reed.' It's a tremendous work."

Towards the end of the event, the latest information was announced, and the cover visual for the currently-on-preorder art book "Hana-Doll* The Anthos* Anatomy" was unveiled for the first time. Furthermore, when it was revealed that the script for the dramatic reading performed at this event would be added as an included bonus, cheers erupted from the audience. A gift campaign was also announced, where one lucky person could win the "life-sized PLANTs" that have appeared at every "Hana-Doll*" event.

Finally, messages were delivered from the cast to the fans. Mr. Yamashita concluded his words, saying, "Just like 'Anthos*,' we the cast also deepened our bonds and grew together in this special work. It's only now that I'm realizing it's over, and I've suddenly become sad, but I will continue to do my best using what I've gained from 'Hana-Doll*.' I'm grateful for the wonderful encounter with this work and all of you!"

Mr. Horie expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying, "Even if I can meet the performers and staff again, it's sad that we can't meet as 'Hana-Doll*' anymore. I think it has become an unforgettable and irreplaceable work for everyone. I joined as Setsuna partway through, but it was a long yet fleeting five years. Thank you for your support to this day."

Mr. Hamano delivered a message to the fans, "'Hana-Doll*,' which I've created with the support of everyone in 'Anthos*' and the staff, has become a work that will be forever engraved in my body. Even if the work is complete, the songs and story will live on forever, so I would be happy if you continue to support 'Anthos*' as an 'Antholic.'"

And with a signal from Mr. Hamano, the entire cast bowed to the audience, saying, "Thank you very much." The commemorative talk event came to a close, wrapped in a huge round of applause.

The story of "Hana-Doll*" continues to shine even after its conclusion. For the fans who love the work and its characters, this event will surely become a memory that will bloom in their hearts forever.

[Text by Yuhi Shibayama]

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### "Hana-Doll* The Anthos* Anatomy" Further News Unveiled

The fan book focusing on Anthos*, "Hana-Doll* The Anthos* Anatomy"

**【Included Bonuses】**

**● Memorial Visual Card 5-Piece Set**

※From 1st~