Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus is heading into its final stretch with Episode 12, titled “Where Feelings Lie, Spinning Dreams” (想いの在処、紡ぐは夢). The episode arrives at a critical moment for the Sunflower Circus, as Maria prepares for surgery in America while the troupe faces its biggest performance yet in Tokyo. Here is everything you need to know about the release, the story so far, and what makes this episode important.
Grow Up Show Sunflower Circus Episode 12 Release Date and Time
Episode 12 of Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus premiered in Japan on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 24:00 JST (midnight, effectively September 20) on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV. The episode is also streaming on Crunchyroll for international audiences on the same day.
The global streaming schedule for Episode 12 on Crunchyroll is as follows:
- USA (Pacific Daylight Time): 9:00 a.m. PDT
- USA (Mountain Daylight Time): 10:00 a.m. MDT
- USA (Central Daylight Time): 11:00 a.m. CDT
- USA (Eastern Daylight Time) / Canada (Eastern): 12:00 p.m. EDT
- United Kingdom / Portugal / Ghana (Greenwich Mean Time): 4:00 p.m. GMT
- Central Europe / Spain / Italy / Poland / France / Germany (Central European Summer Time): 6:00 p.m. CEST
- Japan / South Korea (Japan Standard Time / Korea Standard Time): 1:00 a.m. JST/KST (September 20)
- Australia (Australian Eastern Standard Time): 2:00 a.m. AEST (September 20)
These times are based on the standard Crunchyroll simulcast schedule for the series, which releases new episodes every Saturday. The anime is also available on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other platforms in select regions.
What Happened in Episode 11: A Much-Needed Break Before the Finals
Episode 11, titled “For Whose Sake Is the Unfinished Dream?”, set the stage for the emotional weight of the finale. The Sunflower Circus had just advanced past the second round of the Circus Collection Japan Tournament, with their performances even making newspaper headlines. Meanwhile, the rival Blue Rose Circus, led by Nanami, had already secured a spot in the finals.
Despite the success, Mizuka Tsurumaki and Ouka Kawasumi were visibly restless. Unable to hide their anxiety about creating new acts and perfecting their routines, the two pushed themselves into excessive training. Concerned by their condition, Shizuku and Svetlana made the decision to force the entire troupe to take a break. Mizuka and Ouka ended up spending a day together in Yokohama, giving them a rare chance to relax and step away from the pressure of competition.
The episode also carried a heavier undercurrent. Maria, the ringmaster, was preparing to leave for a high-risk surgery in the United States. The looming separation and the uncertainty of her condition cast a shadow over the troupe as they approached the finals.
Episode 12 Story: Maria’s Departure and Mizuka’s Impossible Choice
Episode 12 centers on the fallout from Maria’s decision to undergo surgery abroad. Maria has become off-limits to visitors, a rule that leaves Mizuka desperate to see her before she leaves. With the Tokyo finals approaching, Mizuka cannot accept the idea of letting Maria go without a proper farewell.
Mizuka tries to force her way into a meeting, dragging Isuzu and Akane into her plan, but the attempt fails. Rin then delivers a message from Maria, one that leaves the entire troupe with complicated, unresolved feelings. The only remaining option is to intercept Maria at the airport before her departure. But doing so would mean withdrawing from the finals—the very competition the Sunflower Circus has worked so hard to reach.
As acting captain, Mizuka is forced to make a decision that will define the troupe’s future. The episode places her at the center of a conflict between personal loyalty and the collective dream of everyone in the Sunflower Circus.
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The Core Cast and Production Team Behind the Series
Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus features a voice cast led by Tomoka Noda as Mizuka Tsurumaki and Shiori Kurosaki as Ouka Kawasumi. Rie Kugimiya voices Maria, the ringmaster, while Ai Kayano plays Rin Mamiya. The English dub cast includes Lizzie Freeman as Mizuka, Cristina Vee as Ouka, Kira Buckland as Rin, and Cassandra Lee Morris as Maria.
The series is directed by Kanta Kamei, with scripts overseen by Takeshi Kikuchi. Kurehito Misaki provided the original character designs, and Yugo Kanno composed the music. The opening theme “Yurari Yureru” is performed by NOMELON NOLEMON, and the ending theme “Days!” is by Aooo.
Unique Details About Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus
The series is set in 1950s Japan during the height of the country’s postwar economic boom, a time when the circus was a central form of entertainment woven into daily life. The story follows the Sunflower Circus, a troupe struggling with perpetual financial difficulties, as they compete for a spot in the Circus Collection, a world-renowned festival open only to the best circus troupes.
Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus is an original anime project, meaning it is not based on a manga or light novel. It is a collaboration between Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, and the newly established Psyde Kick Studio. The series has a total of 13 episodes, with Episode 12 serving as the penultimate chapter.
The anime streams on Crunchyroll with both English subtitles and an English dub available on the same day as the Japanese broadcast.
Also Read: Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus Episode 11 Worldwide Release Date, Streaming and More
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