Carl Roberts 
Described as “Scorsese-esque”, the animated crime drama, The Last Blossom, is preparing to bloom in UK and Irish cinemas this March.
Are you ready to bloom with The Last Blossom?
A breathtaking ode to love and life itself from the must-see rising creative duo behind the award-winning ODDTAXI, Anime Limited invites you to bear witness to The Last Blossom, a tender and thrilling crime drama releasing exclusively in cinemas across the UK & Ireland from 27th March 2026.
Described as “a Scorsese-esque character study of a gangster in animation” (Ryan Gaur, Skwigly), The Last Blossom explores the life of Akutsu, a former yakuza, on his deathbed in a solitary cell, with his only company being a talking flower who bemoans “What a pathetic life”. Looking back on his past, unravelling the mysteries of the people Akutsu encountered and the decisions that he made, The Last Blossom is a powerful thesis on life itself, and whether all our risks and sacrifices are worth it in the end.
The Last Blossom premiered at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and won the hearts of audiences across the circuit, winning both the Jury Award and Audience Award at Scotland Loves Anime, with critics declaring “It’s aching, painful, melancholic, and rather beautiful, and there’s nothing like it” (Alicia Haddick, Scrmbl.com).
“A Scorsese-esque character study of a gangster in animation” ★★★★★ Ryan Gaur, Skwigly
★★★★ The Japan Times
PREMISE
“What a pathetic life.”
Akutsu, an elderly inmate serving life in prison, is on the verge of a lonely death in his solitary cell. The voice mocking him belongs to a balsam flower with an uncanny ability to talk. Through their ‘conversation,’ Akutsu begins to reflect on his past.
1987, summer. In a town by the sea, down-and-out yakuza Akutsu moves into a shabby apartment found for him by his sworn brother, Tsutsumi. Out in the yard, a balsam flower grows. Akutsu shares his new home with Nana, a woman six years his junior, and her newborn son Kensuke. From their veranda, they watch a massive fireworks display. The three of them live happily, until Akutsu suddenly finds himself in need of a huge sum of money, which leads him to join Tsutsumi in an attempt to rob their own organization’s safe of 300 million yen…
“You gotta hit a dead end to get a chance to turn it around.”
This is the tale of one man’s life, and the ones he loves.
BEHIND THE FILM AND ITS CINEMATIC RELEASE
The film marks the breathtaking original feature debut from director Baku Kinoshita and writer Kazuya Konomoto, the duo who are fast-emerging as a creative tour-de-force to watch out for following their acclaimed crime noir series ODDTAXI, which was named among The New Yorker’s Best TV of 2021, and saw Kinoshita crowned Best Director at the 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. With the release of The Last Blossom in cinemas, the Glasgow-based Anime Limited continues its mission to elevate new and original voices in the ever-growing medium of anime, an approach that has previously helped develop audiences for now-renowned directors including Makoto Shinkai and Mamoru Hosoda. With anime films fast emerging as a global box office force that can rival even Hollywood blockbusters, there’s no better time to explore the unique and original stories that continue to define the medium.
The Last Blossom releases in cinemas in Japanese with English subtitles from Friday, 27th March.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
