Honoka Inoue will star in the new Anne of Green Gables anime “Anne Shirley” Main cast and staff revealed

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The animated series “Anne Shirley,” based on the timeless classic “Anne of Green Gables,” is scheduled to begin airing on NHK E-Tele from April 2025. Honoka Inoue has been chosen to play Anne Shirley. In addition, the cast of the main characters and the main staff have been announced, and comments have arrived.

The Anne of Green Gables series, originally written by Montgomery and translated by Hanako Muraoka, tells the story of Anne, an orphan who is taken in by Marilla and Matthew in Avonlea on the beautiful Canadian island of Prince Edward Island.
Anne uses her overwhelming imagination and beautiful heart, which compensated for her difficult circumstances up until the age of 11, to change the hearts of those around her. This is a story that deeply conveys the small daily happiness and warmth of love through the depiction of the beauty of nature that exists there and the feelings of the people. This timeless masterpiece, which has been loved for over 70 years since its translated version was published in Japan in 1952, will be told in 24 stories as a new coming-of-age story by Anne Shirley.

It has recently been announced that Honoka Inoue will play the role of Anne Shirley in “Anne Shirley.” Also starring are Aya Nakamura as Marilla, the elderly brother and sister who take in the orphan Anne, Yasunori Matsumoto as Matthew, Naoya Miyase as Gilbert, who is also her rival, and Yume Miyamoto as Diana, Anne’s lifelong best friend. .
It has also been revealed that the director of this work will be Hiroshi Kawamata (Answer Studio), and the character designs will be handled by Kenichi Tsuchiya (Answer Studio). Inoue and other cast members, director Kawamata and other staff members have also provided comments.

The animated series “Anne Shirley,” based on the timeless masterpiece “Anne of Green Gables,” is scheduled to begin broadcasting on NHK E-Tele from April 2025. Set on the real island of Prince Edward Island, which is said to be the most beautiful island in the world, Anne, Diana, and the others coexist with the beautiful nature and lively and dynamically, with director Kawamata’s directing ability and Tsuchiya’s design. Please pay attention to this work, which depicts the characters at a good pace in all 24 episodes.

Anne Shirley CV: Honohana Inoue

Q How did you feel after being chosen to appear in “Anne Shirley”?
I’ve loved the world of “Anne of Green Gables” since I was little, so from the time I auditioned, I definitely wanted to play Anne! That’s what I thought.
But I never thought it would become a reality! Is this a dream? I thought.
It was an indescribable joy!
At the same time, I felt a lot of anxiety and pressure because it’s a great title with a long history.
I appreciate Anne’s words, “Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many things to discover in the future?” How much these words have supported me. I’m really looking forward to the scenery that I’ll see through Ann!

Q A word to the viewers?
I will portray Anne Shirley’s feelings with all my heart.
I hope you enjoy it along with the wonderful images and music!

Marilla Cuthbert CV: Aya Nakamura

Q How did you feel after being chosen to appear in “Anne Shirley”?
A timeless masterpiece! I am truly honored to be able to play Marilla Cuthbert, a woman I have always wanted to play in a work that is loved all over the world!
Q A word to the viewers?
We hope that both those who know Anne and those who don’t can enjoy Anne’s world!

Matthew Cuthbert CV: Yasunori Matsumoto

Q How did you feel after being chosen to appear in “Anne Shirley”?
I couldn’t believe that I would be appearing in a masterpiece anime. It’s my first time playing this type of role, so I’m really excited.
Q A word to the viewers?
Although there are some hardships in the process, it has turned into something fun in the end. I’m sure that will be reflected in the work, so I’d be happy if everyone watching with Ann and the others gets excited.
thank you.

Gilbert Blythe CV: Naoya Miyase

Q How did you feel after being chosen to appear in “Anne Shirley”?
I am truly happy to be able to work on this work, which is based on the famous novel “Anne of Green Gables.” When it was decided that I would be appearing in the film, I felt that it would definitely be one of the most special works for me. I felt so tense.
Q A word to the viewers?
In every episode, the words of the characters will surprise you! This is such a work. I think there are so many things that you can only realize as an adult and things that you can feel only because you are pure! I would be happy if you could take a look.
Thank you very much for your support!

Diana Burley CV: Yume Miyamoto

Q How did you feel after being chosen to appear in “Anne Shirley”?
Ever since I auditioned, I’ve always wanted to be part of Anne’s time, so I’m really happy to be able to share Diana’s feelings with her.
Q A word to the viewers?
I’m Yume Miyamoto, the voice of Diana Burley! I am very happy to be involved in a work that will be loved by everyone for a long time. I don’t think there are many opportunities to watch a play grow in such detail, from a girl to a woman, so I want to slowly and carefully become friends with Diana and Anne!
I will play it carefully. thank you! “Diana Burley♪Anne Shirley♪”

Supervisor: Hiroshi Kawamata

Q: How did you feel when it was decided that Anne Shirley would be made into an anime?
Frankly, I was surprised when I first heard about your story.
I was very happy because it’s a title I personally like, but it’s a work that is loved by people all over the world, so to be honest, I felt more pressure than pleasure.
Q What do you think you put into your work and what do you want to convey?
There have been many works in the past, including animation, live-action, and stage plays, so I think each person has their own image of Anne Shirley. This time, I didn’t get bogged down by that image, but instead faced the original work once again and tried to express Anne with my own interpretation. I hope that by seeing Anne’s strength and straightforward attitude, you will remember the feeling of believing in yourself and moving forward.
Q: What are the highlights of your work?
As the story progresses at a good pace in each episode, I hope you will see how Anne gradually grows into an adult while being helped by those around her. Also, please pay attention to the unique characters and the background that vividly depicts the rich nature of Prince Edward Island.
Q A word to the viewers
Our entire staff works with love to create this product so that as many people as possible can enjoy it until the very end.
I hope that through this work, you will become interested in the original work and other content.

Character design: Kenichi Tsuchiya

Q: What are your thoughts on this character?
When designing this time, I looked at various sources such as the original work and other materials, but what I looked back at the most was the director’s rough storyboard for the first episode, which was already in place at the time. There were very expressive characters, and I thought about what kind of design would be best to express them. We designed each character to bring out their individuality while also making them lively and to bring them closer to the worldview envisioned by the director. I also designed it with the hope that it would be a character that animators would enjoy expressing.
Q A word to the viewers
I had fun designing many characters. I hope you enjoy watching the unique characters as well.

Animated series “Anne Shirley”
Broadcasting: April 2025 Broadcasting starts on NHK E-Tele (planned)
Number of episodes: 24 episodes in total

Director: Hiroshi Kawamata (Answer Studio)
Character design: Kenichi Tsuchiya (Answer Studio)

Anne Shirley: Honohana Inoue
Marilla Cuthbert: Aya Nakamura
Matthew Cuthbert: Yasunori Matsumoto
Gilbert Blythe: Naoya Miyase
Diana Burley: Yume Miyamoto

(C) Anne Shirley Production Committee