The highly anticipated English dub of the anime series ‘Honey Lemon Soda’ is set to premiere on Crunchyroll on Wednesday, January 22nd, bringing a fresh taste to the popular shojo romance. Based on the manga series by Mayu Murata, this anime has already captured hearts with its sweet story of young love, and now, an English-speaking audience can experience the series with a brand-new voice cast.
A Refreshing Romance Comes to Life in English
‘Honey Lemon Soda’ tells the story of Uka Ishimori, a shy 15-year-old girl nicknamed “Stone” due to her tendency to freeze up in social situations. Seeking a fresh start in high school, she meets Kai Miura, a popular and vibrant boy with striking lemon-colored hair. Despite their contrasting personalities, Kai encourages Uka to come out of her shell, and a sweet romance begins to bloom. The series, animated by J.C.Staff, promises to deliver a heartfelt adaptation of the beloved manga.
English Dub Cast Announced
Crunchyroll has revealed the talented voice actors who will be bringing the characters of ‘Honey Lemon Soda’ to life in the English dub:
- Monica Flatley as Uka Ishimori, the shy protagonist.
- Chris Hackney as Kai Miura, the popular love interest.
- Celeste Perez as Ayumi, a close friend of Uka.
- Kieran Regan as Satoru, another of Kai’s friends.
- Landon McDonald as Tomoya, a member of Kai’s group.
- Katie Wetch as Remi, a female friend in the group.
- Conner Allison as Tonbo, a friend of Kai.
- Adrian Godinez as Abe, also a friend of Kai.
This core cast is supported by a number of other voice actors, including Anthony Bowling as Mizoguchi, Kristin Payne as Uka’s Mom, and David Matranga as Uka’s Dad. Furthermore, Kayla Temshiv, Ethan Condon and Mauricio Ortiz-Segura, Caitlin Martelle, Robin Clayton, Amanda Huerta, Brandon Acosta, and Francine Gonzalez fill out the cast with roles such as Remi’s friends, Yuru, Marin, Asumi, Miru, and Mizuki. The dub is directed by Shawn Gann, produced by Susie Nixon, adapted by Matthew Greenbaum, mixed by Neal Malley, and engineered by August Cline, ensuring a high-quality production.
Anime’s Journey from Manga to Screen
The original manga series, written and illustrated by Mayu Murata, began serialization in Shueisha’s Ribon magazine in December 2015. The series has become a hit, with over 13 million copies in circulation as of July 2024 and currently has 27 volumes. The popularity of the manga led to a live-action film adaptation in July 2021 and finally, the anime television series. The anime is produced by TMS Entertainment and animated by J.C.Staff, premiering in Japan in January 2025 on Fuji TV’s +Ultra programming block.
Original Japanese Voice Cast
The Japanese voice cast includes:
- Kana Ichinose as Uka Ishimori.
- Shogo Yano as Kai Miura.
- Rie Takahashi as Serina Kanno.
- Miyari Nemoto as Ayumi Endo.
- Shunichi Toki as Tomoya Takamine.
- Taku Yashiro as Satoru Seto.
This talented group brings the characters to life in the original Japanese version.
Where to Watch
The anime series premiered in Japan on January 8, 2025, and has been broadcast on multiple networks, including Fuji TV, Animax, and BS Fuji. International audiences can stream the series on various platforms:
- Crunchyroll: This platform is the primary destination for international streaming, with subtitles available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German. The English dub will be available starting January 22.
- Amazon Prime Video and Hulu: These services stream the series for Japanese audiences.
- Aniplus Asia and BiliBili: These platforms also offer streaming of the series internationally.
The release times for the English dub on January 22nd are:
- Pacific Standard Time: 07:55 AM
- Eastern Standard Time: 10:55 AM
- Greenwich Mean Time: 03:55 PM
A Successful Release
The “Honey Lemon Soda” anime has been well received by fans, with many praising the show’s faithfulness to the manga, its emotional adaptation, and the stunning visuals. The character design by J.C. Staff has also been commended. The opening theme song, “Magic Hour,” and the ending theme, “Wonderful World,” are performed by the Japanese boy band &TEAM, adding to the appeal of the series.
Plot and Themes
The series focuses on Uka’s journey of self-discovery and her blossoming romance with Kai. The story delves into themes of:
- Overcoming shyness and social anxiety: Uka’s transformation from a bullied middle schooler to a confident high school student is a central theme.
- First love: The sweet and heartwarming romance between Uka and Kai is a primary focus of the series.
- Friendship: The importance of supportive friendships is also explored through Uka’s relationships with her classmates.
- Self-acceptance: The show emphasizes the value of accepting oneself and embracing change.
Future Episodes
New episodes of ‘Honey Lemon Soda’ are released weekly, with Episode 3 scheduled to premiere on January 23, 2025. The series is planned to have a single cour of 12 episodes.
With its charming characters, sweet storyline, and high-quality animation, “Honey Lemon Soda” is set to be a standout shojo romance anime of the Winter 2025 season. The English dub’s release on January 22nd is eagerly awaited by fans and will undoubtedly draw in new viewers, solidifying the anime’s place as a must-watch series.
