The official website for the upcoming short‑form series Haru to Gen ~70‑sai, Hajimete Kosodate~ released a fresh teaser on Wednesday, confirming both the voice cast and the series’ broadcast slot. The promotion confirms a January 4 launch on the regional network TV Kanagawa, marking the first animated adaptation of Yuka Ōshima’s web manga.
The news was initially reported by Anime News Network, which linked to the series’ own site for the teaser.
Premiere Details
The series will air on TV Kanagawa (tvk) at 9:55 p.m. JST, which translates to 7:55 a.m. EST for North American viewers. The short‑format slot runs weekly and is expected to deliver concise, five‑minute episodes that focus on the heart‑warming daily life of its protagonists.
Cast and Characters
Veteran voice actor Bin Shimada takes on the role of Gen, a 70‑year‑old widower who finds himself unexpectedly tasked with raising his three‑year‑old granddaughter. Hiromi Igarashi voices Haru, the bright‑eyed child who moves in with her grandfather after her mother’s passing. Completing the main trio, Mayuko Kazama portrays Sakura, Gen’s late daughter whose memory drives much of the emotional core of the story.
Production Team
The series is helmed by director Kōdai Satō, known for his work on Tom to Jerry Gokko. Animation production is a joint effort between IMAGICA Infos, Imageworks Studio, and Studio Nanahoshi. Sound direction is overseen by Taeko Miura, whose résumé includes work on Kanagawa Elves and Hyakki Yakou Shou. Maki Takuma, a sound‑effects veteran from series such as After‑School Hanako‑kun and Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, handles the series’ SFX. The musical score is composed by bermei.inazawa, whose previous projects include Potion and Waga Mi o Tasukeru. Executive production is credited to Kazuya Takahashi, noted for Love and Lies and Saiyuki Reload Blast. All sound production responsibilities are managed by the studio RD.
Source Material
The anime adapts the full‑color web manga created by Yuka Ōshima. The series debuted on Kadokawa’s TATESC Comic platform in December 2022, delivering a vertically scrolling, full‑color experience that quickly garnered a dedicated readership. Kadokawa collected the first volume into a printed edition in March 2024, further solidifying the franchise’s presence in the market.
Story‑wise, the narrative follows Gen, a septuagenarian whose marriage and relationship with his daughter have long been strained. Following his daughter Sakura’s untimely death, Gen is left to care for Haru, a three‑year‑old who arrives with a blend of innocence and curiosity. The series explores how a man who spent most of his adult life alone must navigate the unpredictable terrain of parenting for the very first time.
Where to Watch
Fans outside Japan can catch the first episode through TV Kanagawa’s online streaming portal, though no international simulcast partners have been announced at this stage. The short‑format nature of the series makes it a potential candidate for future inclusion on platforms that specialize in bite‑size content.
For more detailed information on the anime, its staff, and related media, the Anime News Network encyclopedia entry provides a comprehensive overview.
Featured image: ©大島由果/KADOKAWA/「ハルとゲン」製作委員会
Source: Anime News Network