The new Hana-Kimi anime adaptation has been winning over audiences with its fresh take on the classic shoujo manga. Viewers are following Mizuki Ashiya’s risky plan to get close to her idol Izumi Sano while keeping her identity a secret at an all-boys school. As the winter 2026 season moves forward, fans are now looking for the Hana-Kimi Episode 9 release date and what to expect next.
The anime adapts the beloved manga series by the late Hisaya Nakajo, who passed away in 2023. This marks the first time the story has received a full animated treatment, and it is streaming weekly on Crunchyroll for viewers around the world .
Hana-Kimi Episode 9 Release Date and Time
Hana-Kimi Episode 9 is scheduled to release on Sunday, March 1, 2026. New episodes arrive weekly on Sundays, and the schedule has remained consistent since the series premiered in January .
For viewers wanting to catch the episode as soon as it drops, Crunchyroll releases new episodes at specific times depending on where you live. Here is when Episode 9 will be available in different regions:
- United States (West Coast): 6:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- United States (East Coast): 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Canada: 9:00 a.m. EST (same as US East Coast)
- United Kingdom: 2:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- India: 7:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST)
- Australia (Sydney): 1:00 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Monday, March 2
- Philippines: 10:00 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Sunday
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and India. Viewers in these regions can watch the show with English subtitles and an English dub that releases on the same day .
What Happened in Hana-Kimi Episode 8?
Episode 8 brought some exciting moments for Mizuki and the gang. The episode focused on a magazine photoshoot where Mizuki, Sano, Nakatsu, and Nanba were selected to model. This was a big deal for the students, but Sano seemed unusually worried throughout the shoot .
The modeling opportunity came from a magazine looking to feature good-looking guys from Osaka Academy. For Mizuki, this meant extra attention and more chances of someone discovering her secret. The episode built tension around whether her disguise would hold up under the spotlight.
Hana-Kimi Episode 9 Story Preview
Based on the episode synopsis from Netflix’s 2007 live-action version, Hana-Kimi Episode 9 will introduce a major new character. A new teacher named Kitahama temporarily takes charge of Mizuki’s class while their regular teacher is on leave .
The episode will also show students preparing for a musical performance that will happen after their exams. This sets up a fun competition between the dormitories, with everyone wanting to win bragging rights and prizes .
From detailed summaries of the original story, Episode 9 will include some key moments:
The new teacher Kitahama-sensei arrives and immediately clashes with the students. When the boys try to pull their usual pranks on him, he does not react the way they expect. Nakatsu stands up to him, proudly announcing his dream of playing soccer in the World Cup .
The episode also deals with exam pressure. Nakatsu studies with Mizuki, trying to get close to her under the excuse of “skinship” helping with concentration. Sano walks in and clearly does not like what he sees. Later, during the actual exam, Nakatsu gets accused of cheating when a mysterious piece of paper appears under his test. The new teacher catches it and drags Nakatsu to the disciplinary room .
One of the funniest moments happens when Nakatsu has another internal crisis about his feelings for Mizuki (still believing she is a boy). He gives himself a pep talk, decides he is okay with being “homosexual,” and moves in to kiss her while she studies with headphones on. Sano walks in just in time and knocks Nakatsu out with a chop to the neck, then pretends Nakatsu fell asleep .
Cast and Characters in Hana-Kimi
The Hana-Kimi anime features a talented cast bringing these beloved characters to life.
The main characters include:
- Mizuki Ashiya (voiced by Aya Yamane in Japanese, Katelyn Barr in English): The determined girl who disguises herself as a boy to be near Sano .
- Izumi Sano (voiced by Taku Yashiro in Japanese, Wyatt Baker in English): The high jump star who quit the sport, though Mizuki is trying to inspire him to return .
- Shuichi Nakatsu (voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in Japanese, Dallas Reid in English): The energetic soccer player who becomes Mizuki’s close friend while struggling with confusing feelings for her .
- Minami Nanba (voiced by Yuichiro Umehara in Japanese, Joshua Waters in English): The leader of Dorm 2 who keeps everyone in line .
- Hokuto Umeda (voiced by Jun Fukuyama in Japanese, Reagan Murdock in English): The school doctor who discovers Mizuki’s secret early on but agrees to keep it .
The English dub has received praise for its casting. Katelyn Barr (Chainsaw Man’s Himeno) brings the right mix of energy and vulnerability to Mizuki. Wyatt Baker captures Sano’s cool exterior, while Dallas Reid (Asta from Black Clover) perfectly matches Nakatsu’s over-the-top personality .
Music and Production
The anime is produced by Signal.MD, the studio known for Net-juu no Susume and Platinum End. The visuals stay true to Nakajo’s original character designs while updating them for modern animation .
Japanese superstar duo YOASOBI performs both the opening theme “Adrena” and the ending theme “Baby.” This has brought additional attention to the series, as YOASOBI has a massive global following .
Where to Watch Hana-Kimi
The 2026 Hana-Kimi anime is exclusively streaming on Crunchyroll in most regions outside of Japan. The platform offers both subbed and dubbed versions, with new episodes arriving Sundays .
It is worth noting that Netflix carries the 2007 live-action Japanese drama starring Maki Horikita and Shun Oguri. That version has 12 episodes and offers a different take on the story for those who want to compare adaptations .
Also Read:
A Word About the Original Creator
The Hana-Kimi anime holds special meaning as it honors the legacy of creator Hisaya Nakajo, who passed away in October 2023 at age 50. Her original manga ran from 1996 to 2004 in Hana to Yume magazine and sold over 17 million copies worldwide. This anime adaptation serves as a tribute to her work and introduces her story to a new generation of fans .
Also Read: Vanished Episode 3 Shocking Scene: Human Trafficking Victim Screams After Seeing Tom’s Photo
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest updates on Hana-Kimi and other trending anime series from around the world.
