A Deep Dive into HOU SEN KA: Original Anime Film from the Creators of Odd Taxi Reveals Special Program and Film Festival Selection!
Get ready for an enthralling cinematic experience! The original anime film HouSENKA, brought to life by the acclaimed duo Kinoshita Mug and Kimoto Kazuya (the brilliant minds behind Odd Taxi) and animated by Studio CLAP, is set to hit theaters on October 10, 2025. Exciting news has just dropped: a special broadcast featuring the main cast—Kobayashi Kaoru, Totsuka Junki, Mitsushima Hikari, Miyazaki Yoshiko, and Pierre Taki—will air on October 4. Furthermore, the film has been officially selected for the “Animation Division” of the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival, which kicks off on October 27!
A special program dedicated to the premiere of HouSENKA will feature the main cast, giving fans a deeper look into the film.
Behold the stunning main visual for the highly anticipated original anime film, HouSENKA.
A closer look at the visuals for HouSENKA.
An intense scene photo from HouSENKA.
Another captivating image from the original anime film, HouSENKA.
Dive into the world of HouSENKA with this intriguing visual.
A poignant shot from the original anime film, HouSENKA.
One more glimpse into the narrative of HouSENKA.
Another captivating visual from HouSENKA.
A compelling scene from HouSENKA.
A dramatic still from the anime film.
Witness this moment from HouSENKA.
An evocative image from the film.
The final frame from HouSENKA‘s scene collection.
About HouSENKA: A Story of Love and Fate
HouSENKA is the latest original anime film from the dynamic creative duo Kinoshita Mug (Director, Character Designer) and Kimoto Kazuya (Original Creator, Scriptwriter), renowned for their groundbreaking TV anime Odd Taxi, which captivated audiences with its unpredictable narrative. The production is handled by CLAP, a studio celebrated for critically acclaimed works like Eiga Daisuki Pompo-san (Pompo the Cinephile) and Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi (The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye).
The story begins with Akutsu, a death row inmate facing a solitary end in his cell, when a speaking balsam flower (HouSENKA) reaches out to him. Through their “conversations,” Akutsu starts to revisit his past.
1987, Summer. Akutsu, a small-time yakuza, was living a modest yet happy life in a seaside town. However, as his fortunes improved, he indulged in a life of pleasure, neglecting his home and his beloved partner, Nana. One day, everything changes. Forced to raise a large sum of money, Akutsu conspires to steal 300 million yen from his gang’s safe. What exactly is this tale of one man’s life and love, intertwined with such a desperate act?
Special Broadcast & Film Festival Appearances
The “Special Program for the Premiere of Anime Film HouSENKA” airing on October 4, will feature the film’s main cast: Kobayashi Kaoru, Totsuka Junki, Mitsushima Hikari, Miyazaki Yoshiko, and Pierre Taki. They’ll share fascinating insights into the film’s appeal and behind-the-scenes stories from the voice recording sessions.
Totsuka Junki, who took on voice acting for the first time in this film, reflected on the experience, saying, “I constantly wondered if I was doing it right.” Pierre Taki recounted how he was offered the role of the speaking HouSENKA: “They told me it was a talking balsam. I prepared several voice patterns.” Kobayashi Kaoru, touching upon the film’s historical setting, remarked that he felt “the kind of unconditional love once found in old films.” Mitsushima Hikari and Miyazaki Yoshiko, who play Akutsu’s partner Nana, revealed that they discussed the character together before recording. They shared a thought-provoking anecdote, “We both wondered if it’s possible for one person to wait for another for so long,” offering a glimpse into the rich creative process behind the film.
An intriguing shot from the original anime film HouSENKA.
Adding to the excitement, HouSENKA has been officially selected for the “Animation Division” of the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival, which begins on October 27. The film is steadily garnering international attention, with a string of overseas film festival selections. Its world premiere took place at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France) in June, followed by its Asian premiere at the Pingyao International Film Festival (China) in September. After its theatrical release, the film is slated to participate in numerous other festivals, including the ReAnimania Yerevan International Animation Film & Comic Art Festival (Armenia), Bucheon International Animation Festival (Korea), Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (Taiwan), Scotland Loves Anime (UK), and Manchester Animation Festival (UK), building anticipation for its global reception.
Another captivating visual from HouSENKA.
The original anime film HouSENKA, from the creators of Odd Taxi, Kinoshita Mug and Kimoto Kazuya, and Studio CLAP, will be released on October 10, 2025.
Special Program Broadcast Details
Movie HouSENKA Premiere Commemoration Special Program
Cast: Kobayashi Kaoru, Totsuka Junki, Mitsushima Hikari, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Pierre Taki (Narration: Morishima Shuta)
Broadcast Date: October 4 (Saturday), 19:30～20:00 JST
Broadcast Channel: TOKYO MX (Tokyo area・Terrestrial 9ch)
Catch-up Streaming:
TVer
Free streaming available on YouTube after broadcast
Film Information
Movie HouSENKA
Release Date: October 10, 2025 (Friday)
Cast
| Name |
|---|
| Kobayashi Kaoru |
| Totsuka Junki |
| Mitsushima Hikari |
| Miyazaki Yoshiko |
| Yasumoto Hiroki |
| Saitou Souma |
| Murata Hidesuke (Toro Salmon) |
| Nakayama Kouta |
| Pierre Taki |
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director・Character Design | Kinoshita Mug |
| Original Creator・Script | Kimoto Kazuya |
| Planning・Production | CLAP |
| Music | cero / Takagi Shouhei, Arauchi Yuu, Hashimoto Tsubasa |
| Direction | Kinoshita Mug, Harada Nana |
| Concept Art | Michinoku Touge |
| Layout Animation Director | Tera Eiji |
| Animation Directors | Hosogoe Yuuji, Miyoshi Kazuya, Shimamura Shuuichi |
| Color Design | Nobori Haruko |
| Art Director | Satou Ayumi |
| Photography Directors | Hoshina Kou, Hondai Takahiro |
| Editing | Ushiroda Yoshiki |
| Sound Direction | Kasamatsu Kouji |
| Recording Direction | Shimizu Hirofumi |
| Production Producers | Itou Kinue, Matsuo Ryouichirou |
| Publicity | Miracle Voice |
| Distribution | Pony Canyon |
| Production | HouSENKA Production Committee |
(C) Kimoto Kazuya / HouSENKA Production Committee
《Nakase Koutarou》
External Link: Movie HouSENKA – Opening October 10, 2025 (Friday)
