The much-anticipated anime adaptation of Hana-Kimi has finally arrived, nearly three decades since Hisaya Nakajo first introduced the beloved shojo manga in 1996. The series quickly captured readers’ hearts and even inspired a TV drama in 2007. With such a rich history and an enduring fan base, Aniplex and Signal.MD faced high expectations for their television anime version of this cherished story.

Signal.MD, known for their work on Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s Platinum End, has a reputation for producing visually safe and formulaic anime. Unfortunately, the premiere episode of Hana-Kimi doesn’t veer away from this pattern. The episode features conspicuous CGI backgrounds that detract from potentially pivotal scenes, failing to capture the lighthearted and comedic essence that initially endeared Hana-Kimi to fans nearly 30 years ago.

Utilizing CGI in anime can be a gamble, often straddling the line between enhancing the visual experience and detracting from it. In the first episode of Hana-Kimi, the integration of 3D backgrounds with 2D characters is jarring. This is particularly evident in scenes such as the climactic chase through the school corridors, where the shiny CGI backdrop starkly contrasts with the animated characters, making them seem awkwardly superimposed and pulling viewers out of the moment.

Signal.MD’s Distracting CGI Undermines Hana-Kimi’s Anime Debut

Image via Signal.MD

CGI in anime is always hit or miss. When used as a cop-out for actually fleshing out the backgrounds, it’s always a swing and a miss. In Hana-Kimi Episode 1, there are several scenes where the 3D background doesn’t mesh well with the 2D characters. It’s distracting during scenes like the one at the end where everyone chases Ashiya through the school’s corridors. Viewers can clearly see the shiny, 3D background while the characters are stampeding through the hallway, and it just looks as though they’re superimposed on the background.

There are also unnecessary cuts to scenery of classroom signs that show off their 3D rendering before going back to the classroom full of 2D characters. This is not the only example of Hana-Kimi looking like a slideshow presentation, considering that one of the soccer scenes is turned into two separate still images instead of showing any action. CGI in anime is never the problem when it’s utilized correctly. In Hana-Kimi‘s case, however, the CGI makes the scenery seem like it was an afterthought.

A high school is such a commonplace for a good deal of anime, particularly in the shojo anime genre, that it’s important for studios to give extra care to how they portray these environments. Kamisama Kiss did its chase scene exceptionally well in its second episode when Tomoe chased Kurama through the school with his fox fire. Even though Hana-Kimi lacks supernatural elements, Signal.MD would have benefited from playing up its campier elements in the art style in the same way as its peers during the scene where Ashiya was chased through the school. The Hana-Kimi premiere fell flat because viewers didn’t know whether to take it seriously or view it as a comedic moment.

If Signal.MD wanted the chase scene to feel more dramatic, they could have experimented with the lighting a bit, like Fruits Basket or Kimi Ni Todoke was always known for doing. The Valentine’s Day episode of Kimi Ni Todoke where Sawako toils over whether to give Kazehaya the chocolates utilized grey color palettes to evoke the sense of anxiety and loneliness felt by the protagonist. By keeping the ambiance at the same tone throughout, it creates an atmosphere in which the audience isn’t sure what to feel from any given scene. Such a legendary shojo manga as Hana-Kimi deserves a more thoughtful, artistically sound adaptation, and one can only hope that things will improve after Episode 1.

Hana-Kimi’s Animation Art Style Is Devoid Of The ’90s Manga’s Comedic Spirit

Image via Signal.MD

Hana-Kimi’s art style is too polished for a romantic comedy, especially in comparison to the manga. Other shojo anime, like the 2019 remake of Fruits Basket and Lovely Complex utilize exaggerated, comedic facial expressions reminiscent of their source material — something certainly present in Hana-Kimi‘s manga. The scene where Ashiya falls to her knees after learning that Sano quit track and field felt awkward and unexpressive, despite the voice actor’s yelling. It’s not clear what the scene is meant to convey because it actually cuts away from Ashiya’s face.

Hana-Kimi’s premise is inherently one that calls for a campier art style. Longtime fans of the shojo anime genre will find it difficult not to draw comparisons to Ouran High School Host Club, another romantic comedy that experiments with gender expression. Ouran‘s adaptation succeeded because of its fast-paced punchlines and exaggerated art style. Though Hana-Kimi was not as rapid-fire as Ouran, the manga’s art style never took itself as seriously as Signal.MD’s adaptation.

Perhaps it’s nostalgia for anime adaptations of the 2000s and early 2010s, but the hyper-polished production style utilized by Signal.MD for Hana-Kimi Episode 1 simply worked against the series’ favor. The overly clean character designs and muted color palettes dulled the kind of exaggerated visual timing relied upon by some of anime’s most beloved romantic comedies. The genre’s humor originates from sudden tone shifts, awkward pauses, and exaggerated reactions. Hana-Kimi, as it seems from the premiere, is sorely missing all of these elements.

Several of Hana-Kimi‘s passing jokes land with less impact than they should. Gags once accepted as throwaway humor for most shojo manga of Hana-Kimi‘s era feel uncomfortable because of Signal.MD’s choice to linger on them with this cleaner art style instead of really playing into it with a sense of camp and goofiness reminiscent of 2000s shojo romance.

Some of these jokes wouldn’t fly in today’s fandom climate, so it’s great that Signal.MD kept them in the script without altering them. However, it’s just as much of a disservice not to lean into the humor just a bit more. Additionally, the Signal.MD’s clean-cut presentation choice makes it so that Ashiya’s motivations in attending the all-boys school for the sake of getting closer to Sano are easily misunderstood.

Hana-Kimi’s Cast Makes a Strong First Impression

Despite the visual shortcomings on Signal.MD’s behalf in Hana-Kimi Episode 1, the cast is compelling. Ashiya is one of those protagonists who risks fading into the background while the ensemble cast surrounding her steals the spotlight. Considering that Episode 1 didn’t do a so well in explaining her motivations to attend the all-boys school and why she’s so interested in Izumi, their relationship risks looking forced depending on how much time and care was put into the adaptation.

Nakatsu is sure to be a fan-favorite character as the episodes progress. He’s outgoing, charismatic, and soaks up all the viewers’ attention. He’s like Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club without all the pomp and circumstance. Nakatsu’s comedic timing is impeccable and, arguably, he has more chemistry from the jump with Ashiya than Sano. Nakatsu’s more uncomfortable jokes still land because they come off less intentional and more from a place of genuine obliviousness.

Minami is another one with whom fans will instantly fall in love. From the minute he opens the door in Hana-Kimi Episode 1, he radiates charisma and confidence. His entrance was ushered in with the sound of guitars to really amp up his aura — very reminiscent of Kurama from Kamisama Kiss minus all the smoke, eyeliner, and black feathers. His entrance definitely proves that Signal.MD was at least trying to build a sense of ambiance for Hana-Kimi‘s premiere beyond the self-serious tone set by the art style.

Hokuto Umeda immediately raises eyebrows as soon as he makes his entrance. Nakatsu referred to him as “Dr. Sadistic.” He’s definitely cunning and a bit intimidating, so he definitely lives up to the title. Upon confronting Ashiya about her real gender at the end of Hana-Kimi episode one, viewers can easily infer that he won’t reveal her secret to anyone else. He’s certainly the blueprint for a character like Kyoya Ootori from Ouran High School Host Club.

Despite starting off on rocky footing in Hana-Kimi Episode 1, the premiere still gives this adaptation a decent chance to succeed throughout the Winter 2026 season. Hana-Kimi isn’t just another seasonal slice-of-life or generic romantic comedy to put on the backburner after the season completes its run. It’s one of shojo’s most influential manga series that’s long deserved a proper anime adaptation.

The decision to revisit Hana-Kimi after nearly three decades proves the lingering impact of Hisaya Nakajo’s manga and sparks insight into the industry’s willingness to pay more attention to the shojo genre as a whole. If Signal.MD’s anime adaptation of Hana-Kimi can better align its visual direction with the source material’s playful, comedic spirit and warmth, this adaptation can still save itself. It can unite longtime Hana-Kimi fans while bringing in an entirely new generation of viewers to one of the most beloved shojo anime titles.

Hana-Kimi Episodes 1 & 2 streaming now on Crunchyroll, weekly on Sundays.

Release Date

January 4, 2026

Network

Tokyo MX

Directors

Natsuki Takemura

Writers

Hisaya Nakajo, Takawo Yoshioka

Cast

• Taku Yashiro

  Izumi Sano (voice)

• 

  Aya Yamane

  Ashiya Mizuki (voice)

Pros & Cons

• Compelling cast & characters
• Good pacing for a pilot episode
• Satisyfing return for franchise

• Poor application of CGI animation
• Underwhelming humor
• Ashiya’s characterization lacks clarity