A brand new trailer has confirmed that Grow Up Show: Himawari no Circus‑dan, an original anime set in the golden age of Japanese circus entertainment, will premiere on July 4 2026. The teaser highlights the series’ nostalgic atmosphere and introduces its musical tone with the opening theme Yurari Yureru by NOMELON NOLEMON, while the ending theme DAYS! by Aooo appears in a second preview.
A‑1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio Lead the Production
The series is produced by A‑1 Pictures in collaboration with its in‑house creative brand Psyde Kick Studio, established to pursue more experimental and original animation projects.
Direction is handled by Kanta Kamei, known for Oreshura and Saekano.
The screenplay is written by Takeshi Kikuchi, and character designs come from Kurehito Misaki, the illustrator behind Saekano’s light novels.
A Cast Bringing the Circus Troupe to Life
The ensemble cast includes:
- Tomoka Noda as Mizuka Tsurumaki
- Shiori Kurosaki as Ōka Kawasumi
- Reo Osanai as Imari Agano
- Nanako Ando as Isuzu Ikazuchi
- Tomori Kusunoki as Aoi Yura
- Yūko Natsuyoshi as Akane Yura
- Yuna Kamakura as Shizuku Sakawa
- Yuka Iwahashi as Svetlana
- Rie Kugimiya as Maria
- Ai Kayano as Rin Mamiya**
A Story Set in Japan’s Circus Boom
Grow Up Show unfolds in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a period when traveling circuses were one of Japan’s most popular forms of entertainment.
The Sunflower Circus, led by ringmaster Maria, tours the country despite financial struggles, competing for a coveted spot in the world‑famous Circus Collection festival.
Their journey changes when they encounter Mizuka Tsurumaki, a young prodigy whose natural talent and ambition ignite new hope within the troupe.
The series follows these girls as they chase their dreams under the big top, blending period drama, heartfelt character arcs and the spectacle of circus performance.
A New Creative Era for A‑1 Pictures
Psyde Kick Studio, launched in 2025, was created to give A‑1 Pictures a dedicated space for more experimental and original works. Grow Up Show stands as one of its first major projects, aiming to showcase a freer, more expressive style of storytelling and animation.