Mayu Hotta voices Neekei, the lead role in Shingo Natsume's film ghost - end of night, set to open in Japan on February 11, 2027. The teaser released in August 2026 introduced Hotta's first voiced scenes opposite Issei Takahashi as Masu.
Mayu Hotta's current standing in Yomimono coverage comes entirely from one role: Neekei, the lead in ghost - end of night, the theatrical anime from director Shingo Natsume and studio Madhouse. The August 2026 teaser introduced the two lead cast members, with Hotta as Neekei and Issei Takahashi as Masu, and included the pair's first voiced scenes. Neekei is a 15-year-old girl already selected in a society where people are judged at age 18 on whether the world needs them.
The film's supporting cast filled in by October 2026, when Kenjiro Tsuda, Hiroki Yasumoto, and Hiroshi Kamiya were announced as adults orbiting Neekei and Masu rather than leads. That placement puts Hotta at the center of the cast while the supporting tier goes to voice actors with established draw. Natsume directs and writes the script, with original character designs by Natsume Ono, animation character designs by Norifumi Kugai, and distribution by Bandai Namco Filmworks. Hitsujibungaku performs the theme song and insert songs.
Coverage has moved from the lead reveal to the supporting roster, but the release date has stayed fixed: the film opens in Japan on February 11, 2027. Nothing in the stories reports any other role or project for Hotta.
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3d ago
The official website for ghost - end of night, Shingo Natsume and Madhouse's theatrical anime project, announced three more cast members on October 21, 2026. Kenjiro Tsuda plays Mobius Dick, the creator of the virtual reality network who takes an interest in the protagonist Neekei and makes contact with her. Hiroki Yasumoto plays Karate, a childhood friend of Masu who manages the observatory department where Neekei is assigned. Hiroshi Kamiya plays Ito, another childhood friend of Masu who provides mental coaching at the observatory. Mayu Hotta voices Neekei and Issei Takahashi voices Masu. The film opens in Japan on February 11, 2027, directed and written by Natsume at Madhouse, with original character designs by Natsume Ono and animation character designs by Norifumi Kugai. Bandai Namco Filmworks distributes. Hitsujibungaku performs the theme song and insert songs, and a collaboration movie ticket card limited to 2,000 will be sold first at the band's Yoyogi National Stadium shows on November 10 and 11.
Aug 7
The official website for ghost - end of night, the new theatrical anime project from director Shingo Natsume and studio Madhouse, unveiled a teaser trailer on Friday that introduces the film's two lead cast members. Mayu Hotta plays Neekei, a 15-year-old girl who has already been selected in a society where people are judged at age 18 on whether the world needs them. Issei Takahashi voices Masu, a man burdened by the loss of his family who wanders while covering his body with tattoos before crossing paths with Neekei. The teaser includes the pair's first voiced scenes and features the insert song "Sugar" by alternative rock band hitsujibungaku, who also perform the film's theme song. The film is set in a near future where labor is no longer necessary, and follows Neekei as she seeks what is real while resisting the order of a content society. Natsume directs and writes the script, marking his first time directing an original anime film. Natsume Ono provides original character designs, Norifumi Kugai handles animation character designs, and Bandai Namco Filmworks distributes. The film opens in Japan on February 11, 2027.