What's next for Natsuki Hanae and Soma Saito after "Odd Taxi" and "The Last Blossom"?

A stage greeting for the original animated film "The Last Blossom," a collaboration between director Kinoshita Mugi, who worked on the TV anime "Odd Taxi," and manga artist and screenwriter Konomoto Kazuya, was held at Shinjuku Wald 9 (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) on October 22nd, with director Kinoshita and voice actors Natsuki Hanae and Soma Saito in attendance. Director Kinoshita explained the reasons for casting Hanae and Saito.

Hanae, who plays Kensuke, the son of Nagata Nana, the partner of the main character Akutsu Minoru, also played the main character Odogawa in "Odd Taxi," while Saito, who plays the intellectual yakuza Wakamatsu, also played Tanaka, who works at a game company, which also drew attention. "The Last Blossom" also stars Kobayashi Kaoru, Junki Tozuka, Hikari Mitsushima, Miyazaki Yoshiko, and Pierre Taki.

Director Kinoshita explained the reason for casting Hanae and Saito, saying, "I was looking for someone I felt could breathe life into the characters. I knew the skills and passion of Souma and Hanae, so I offered them the roles."

Speaking about Saito, who has appeared in "Odd Taxi" and "The Last Blossom," director Kinoshita said, "I'd like Souma to play the role of an eccentric person," to which Saito replied happily, "I'd like to try it!"

Director Kinoshita suggested, "Hanae should play a dangerous criminal," to which Saito replied, "I'd like to see it!", to which Hanae smiled and said, "I'm preparing it. I'm ready to become dangerous."

In "The Last Blossom," an elderly man serving a life sentence, Minoru Akutsu, is about to die alone in his cell when a mysterious The Last Blossom, who can speak human language, tells him, "You've had a terrible life," and through the conversation, he begins to reflect on his past. He confronts his past life and tries to reclaim what he has lost.