The long-awaited anime adaptation of The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity, based on Saka Mikami’s beloved manga, has finally arrived on Netflix with episodes 1 and 2 now streaming. Animated by CloverWorks and produced by Aniplex, the series has already captured global attention with its emotional storytelling and striking visuals.
Aniplex producer Uryu, who oversaw the adaptation, highlighted the team’s dedication to preserving the manga’s charm and authenticity in bringing Rintaro and Kaoruko’s story to life on screen.
On the characters and why the story was adapted now:
“The characters are very straightforward, pure, and hardworking. Karouko especially has a strength you can see from the very first episode, and Rintaro slowly learns to voice his feelings as the story progresses. That change extends to his classmates and friends as well. In today’s world, voicing your own feelings requires a lot of courage, and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to move forward with this adaptation.”
On meeting fans’ expectations:
“The original work is very complete and carefully thought through, so we wanted to stay as true to it as possible. I’ve been an anime producer for over ten years, and this was one of the smoothest scriptwriting processes I’ve experienced. Everyone understood where the key emotional points were, and the staff worked hard to capture the details in the characters’ expressions, movement, and color. I have previously worked with the director on “THE IDOLM@STER SideM” and character designer on “SK8 the Infinity” and feel we were fortunate to bring together this staff, whom I trust and are talented creators. Their attention to detail made this adaptation possible.”
On collaborating with creator Saka Mikami:
“Mikami was deeply involved in the process, from reviewing every scenario and setting to visiting the studio many times during recording sessions,” Uryu said. “Our team asked countless questions, and Mikami always responded with detailed insights. That collaboration shaped the adaptation and ensured the smallest nuances were carried through. Mikami’s personality is felt throughout the production, even in moments where the anime might otherwise have taken a more open-ended approach.”
On animating Kaoruko’s most distinctive traits:
“Kaoruko has so many memorable scenes, but her hair was one of the biggest challenges in bringing her to life,” Uryu noted. “When I first read the manga, I knew it would be difficult but also exciting. When the director shared the promotional video, I was amazed at the amount of movement in her hair, it showed how much CloverWorks invested in the animation. Even in the first episode, the way she brightens up and blushes leaves a strong impression, and the movement of her hair makes those moments even more unforgettable.”
On the story’s universal appeal:
Beyond anime fans, Uryu sees the story’s appeal as universal, noting its resonance with classic tales of love and courage, and emphasizing that Rintaro and Kaoruko’s story offers an entry point for both longtime anime fans and new viewers alike.
“It’s almost like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet,” Uryu said. “Of course, it’s not as tragic, but that sense of two people separated by their worlds is central to the story. From the very beginning, we wanted to capture that feeling in the adaptation.”
On delivering the anime to fans:
“CloverWorks did an incredible job producing this series, and I believe it’s one of our best works to date. I watched both the sub and the dub, and they captured the characters perfectly. We know fans had to wait a little longer, but that time allowed us to make the series everything it needed to be. We’re proud to finally deliver it to audiences.”
Key Visual:
CAST:
Yoshinori Nakayama (JP) / Robbie Daymond (EN) as “Rintaro Tsumugi”
Honoka Inoue (JP) / Bijou Middlebrooks (EN) as “Kaoruko Waguri”
Kikunosuke Toya (JP) / Aaron Yamawaki (EN) as “Shohei Usami”
Koki Uchiyama (JP) / Aaron Fors (EN) as “Saku Natsusawa”
Hiiro Ishibashi (JP) / Skylar Silverlake (EN) as “Ayato Yorita”
Aya Yamane (JP) / Kelly Baskin (EN) as “Subaru Hoshina”
STAFF:
Original Work: “The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity” by Saka Mikami (Serialized in Magazine Pocket from Kodansha)
Director: Miyuki Kuroki
Associate Director: Satoshi Yamaguchi
Series Composition: Rino Yamazaki
Series Director: Haruka Tsuzuki
Character Design and Chief Animation Supervisor: Kohei Tokuoka
Minor Character and Clothing Design: Manami Umeshita
Cake Design: Yasuho Tamura
Prop Design: Yuko Yoshida
Art Director: Asuka Kouki
Art Setting: Yoshinori Shiozawa
Color Setting: Asuka Yokota
Director of Photography: Yukiko Nagase
CG Director: Keita Watanabe (Sublimation)
Editing: Kazuhiro Nii
Music: Moeki Harada
Sound Director: Takatoshi Hamano
Sound Production: Magic Capsule
Production: CloverWorks
STORY:
─ Beyond the curtain lies a world that has nothing to do with me — forever. ─
At the bottom-ranked all-boys school Chidori, known as a gathering place for troublemakers, the students are looked down upon by the prestigious all-girls school Kikyo Academy next door. The curtains between the two schools’ classrooms are always drawn, and not once have the students ever seen each other.
Rintaro Tsumugi, a Chidori student with a scary appearance that often drives people away, has gradually grown used to keeping his distance from others.
One day, while helping out at his family’s cake shop, he encounters Kaoruko Waguri, a kind girl who treats him without prejudice.
“I’ve never once thought you were scary, Rintaro-kun.”
Though puzzled at first, Rintaro soon finds comfort in the time he spends with Kaoruko. But there’s one catch—she happens to be a student at Kikyo Academy.
A story of two hearts, so near yet so far, weaving a radiant tale of youthful romance.
Source: Press Release
©Saka Mikami, KODANSHA / “The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity” Production Committee
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