Anime “Draw This, Then Die!” Reveals Five Cast Members Including Akari Sekine and Saori Hayami, Main Visual Unveiled With Comments

The television anime Draw This, Then Die! is set to premiere in July on Nippon Television. Five cast members have been officially announced at once, with Akari Sekine cast as the protagonist Ai Yasumi and Saori Hayami as Rei Teshima. Alongside the cast reveal, the anime’s main visual has also been released.

The anime is based on the manga of the same name, currently serialized in Gessan by Shogakukan. The original work has received major accolades, including the Grand Prize at the Manga Taisho 2023 and the 70th Shogakukan Manga Award.

The story follows Ai Yasumi, a first year high school student living on the Tokyo island of Izu Oshima, who has an unwavering love for reading manga. After a certain incident, she begins to seriously consider creating manga herself. The series fully captures both the pain and joy of creation, delivering a youth drama that blends manga passion with the everyday lives of high school girls.

Main Cast and Characters

Ai Yasumi is voiced by Akari Sekine, known for roles such as Cure Sky Sora Harewataru in Soaring Sky! Precure, Moonlight Lunacy in Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, and Lilisa Suzunomiya in Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty.

Rei Teshima, Ai’s high school Japanese language teacher who gives strict guidance to manga loving students, is played by Saori Hayami, known for portraying Yor Forger in SPY×FAMILY and Shinobu Kocho in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Following the cast announcement, Sekine commented, “Every aspect of this work is packed with charm. Depending on whose perspective you watch from, what you feel changes, making it a deeply rewarding story.”

Hayami added, “I believe this story will resonate with those currently chasing their dreams, as well as those overwhelmed by reality and unable to focus on dreams.”
Additional cast members include:

Saya Hitomi as Kokoro Fujimori, a talented art club member who also joins the manga research club founded by Ai
Kanon Fujimura as Sachi Akafuku, who co establishes the manga research club with Ai in pursuit of a comfortable clubroom
Inori Minase as Hikaru Sekiryu, a first year student and skilled amateur manga artist who moves to Izu Oshima

Full Cast Comments

■Akari Sekine as Ai Yasumi

Ai Yasumi is a first year high school student living on Izu Oshima who loves manga with all her heart. Her personal bible is the manga Robota and Pokota by Hoshino Zero.

Akari Sekine commented:
“I am Akari Sekine, and I am honored to voice Ai Yasumi. Ai is an incredibly hardworking girl. She finds joy in small discoveries, eagerly incorporates what she finds, and constantly strives to shine brighter. That positivity feels dazzling as I portray her. Honestly, the appeal of Draw This, Then Die! cannot be fully put into words. The rich nature of Izu Oshima, the wonderful partners and characters, episodes that naturally draw you in emotionally, and the diverse creations the girls bring to life. Everything is filled with charm. Depending on whose viewpoint you watch from, the story takes on a different flavor. I hope you will support their growth and enjoy the journey.”

■Saori Hayami as Rei Teshima

Rei Teshima is a Japanese language teacher at Ai’s school. While she gives strict guidance to Ai due to her love of manga, she has hidden sides yet to be revealed.

Saori Hayami commented:
“I am truly delighted to appear in this work as Rei Teshima. At first glance, she seems cool and strict, but once she becomes the advisor of the manga research club, you begin to see not just one, but many deeper layers to her character. During recording sessions, the cast and staff came together with passionate feelings while maintaining a warm and friendly atmosphere as we carefully crafted each episode. I believe this story will resonate with those who are pursuing dreams, as well as those overwhelmed by reality. Please enjoy the series from the first episode to the very last.”

■Saya Hitomi as Kokoro Fujimori

Kokoro Fujimori is Ai’s classmate, skilled at drawing, and a member of both the art club and the manga research club.

Saya Hitomi commented:
“My name is Saya Hitomi, and I will be voicing Kokoro Fujimori. When I first encountered the original manga, I was surprised by the contrast between its pop cover and impactful title. That contrast is woven throughout the story, and it made me reflect deeply on what it means to truly love something. Kokoro is a girl who constantly faces and accepts her own feelings. I carefully cherished each word that flows through her as I performed. Being part of this project filled me with gratitude every day. This is a work bursting with energy, and I hope many people will watch it.”

■Kanon Fujimura as Sachi Akafuku

Sachi Akafuku is Ai’s classmate who co founds the manga research club with her, driven by the dream of creating a comfortable clubroom.

Kanon Fujimura commented:
“I am Kanon Fujimura, and I play Sachi Akafuku. When I first read the original manga, I was reminded of my student days when I pursued dreams purely out of joy and passion. This story will surely resonate with anyone who has been deeply absorbed in something, as well as those who will experience that feeling in the future. I am very happy to be part of such a warm and gentle work. Sachi is extremely easygoing and free spirited, and while being swept along by her, I had a lot of fun portraying her. I hope you will watch while playfully reacting alongside Ai.”

■Inori Minase as Hikaru Sekiryu

Hikaru Sekiryu is a first year student who moves to Izu Oshima and is also an accomplished amateur manga artist.

Inori Minase commented:
“Hikaru is a uniquely original presence with an overflowing imagination. I portrayed her with great care to ensure that her wellspring of ideas would never run dry. This is a work where each character’s dreams grow freely in harmony with the island’s rich nature, shining brightly and lovingly. I believe viewers will encounter moments that truly move their hearts. Through this project, I strongly felt that I never want to forget how fun creation can be. I am sure that feeling will reach everyone watching. Thank you for your continued support.”

Source : ORICON NEWS