- Interview Date: 4/3/2026
- Interview Location: Anime Boston 2026
- Interview Format: In-Person, One-on-One
Anime Herald: What were your initial impressions of Petals of Reincarnation?
Wakana Maruoka: During the auditions, everyone reads the original manga. It was so interesting to me that I kept on reading it beyond the portion we had to read. I was drawn to the world setting.
Takanori Matsuoka: Frankly, I thought the idea of using powers of historical figures was interesting. Later on, the reasons why each character sought talents using the Branch of Reincarnation and unraveling those mysteries is what made this story so compelling.
I read manga to see how I can turn it into anime. For Petals of Reincarnation, I was drawn to the unique characters and to the battle scenes.
Anime Herald: Haito has had a pretty rough childhood and now dreams of becoming a “Complete Returner” as soon as possible. What aspects of her character are you most focused on in bringing the character to life, from the page to the screen?
Wakana Maruoka: Haito had a troubling adolescence. She went through a lot. For me, I wanted to show that she has accepted her dark past, without becoming moody and dark, herself. Because of that, she has a lighthearted personality. But she still has a vulnerable side to her. In general, she’s a straightforward and strong-willed character.
Anime Herald: If you could have the ability of the members of “The Forest of the Greats,” who would you choose and why?
Wakana Maruoka: I would want everyone’s powers. If I had to pick one person, I would choose A. Einstein’s power, so I could get to Boston instantly.
(Editor’s note: It is a very long flight from Tokyo to Boston.)
Anime Herald: What are your origin stories for your entrance into the industry? What were the manga and anime you loved growing up?
Wakana Maruoka: I’ve liked anime since childhood. I was, and am, an otaku. The first time I thought about entering the industry was when I went to seiyuu school to study voice acting. That’s when I realized how anime is recorded and that I could do it. Growing up, my favorite anime was Naruto.
Takanori Matsuoka: I originally worked in a different field before getting into anime production. After joining PONY CANYON, a company that produces anime, music, and films, I started out in a sales role focused on anime shops in Akihabara. I then moved on to anime promotion, and eventually joined the production department. Growing up, my favorite manga were Captain Tsubasa and Slam Dunk.
Anime Herald: What industry were you in beforehand?
Takanori Matsuoka: I was working for a game company. I originally trained as a trainee with a professional soccer team.
Anime Herald: I have to ask, what position?
Takanori Matsuoka: I was a midfielder.
Anime Herald: What would you like our readers to know about Petals of Reincarnation?
Wakana Maruoka: The first arc is very dark. The viewers might be surprised at how dark it gets. The main character, Touya Senji, goes through a lot. He grows through that and the story quickly changes.
Takanori Matsuoka: This is a story about people using of historical figures and fighting. It’s interesting seeing the scale of the story progressively grow. I want the viewers to enjoy how the backstories of the various characters get revealed as the story expands.
Anime Herald: This is your first overseas convention. Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to doing in Boston?
Wakana Maruoka: I was looking forward to visiting the art museum (Museum of Fine Arts). I was able to go yesterday. I’m looking forward to drinking sake after I finish all of my events.
Anime Herald: Enjoy!
Wakana Maruoka: Thank you!
Anime Herald: Are there any fun stories from the production side of Petals of
Reincarnation that you would care to share?
Takanori Matsuoka: I had some initial discussions with the author (Mikihisa Konishi). The director and the story editor were having some passionate and spirited discussions about how to compress the source material to fit into the episode run time. We redid on it over and over. That stuck with me, because everyone who was working on the project was very passionate about it.
Anime Herald: What skills did you learn at seiyuu school that were helpful for recording Petals of Reincarnation?
Wakana Maruoka: I learned to visualize who I was talking to. If I am talking to a huge warrior, I’ll record looking up as if I was talking to them.
Anime Herald: Do you have any questions for us?
Takanori Matsuoka: Where are you from?
Anime Herald: New York.
Wakana Maruoka: Any recommendations for people visiting New York?
Anime Herald: The museums are famous and they are excellent, but some of the best art and architecture in New York can be found in various churches. They might look plain on the outside, but be beautiful marvels inside.
Takanori Matsuoka: I feel like you have been to many conventions. What do you think makes Anime Boston special?
Anime Herald: Anime Boston was a convention that used to be much smaller. It was the major northeastern anime convention, and it just grew and grew. It is still a convention run and staffed by volunteers. It’s powered by passionate fans of anime and Japanese culture.
It’s very different from Anime Expo. Anime Expo is run by the Society for the Production of Japanese Animation. Anime Expo is a much more corporate convention, with a lot of connections to the major companies in Japan. Anime Boston is still a small local convention that grew up to be big because it is in Boston.
(Editor’s note: Anime Expo has humble roots, going back to the anime club at UC Berkeley in the early 90’s. It has grown quite a bit since then.)
Wakana Maruoka: What is your favorite Japanese food?
Anime Herald: You mentioned sake earlier. I love it when you go to an izakaya and order chicken karaage with lemon, and have it with cold sake. It makes me feel like I am in Wakakozake.
Wakana Maruoka: Pshuu!
Anime Herald: Exactly! You could be in Wakakozake.
Thank you very much.
Petals of Reincarnation is currently streaming on HIDIVE. New episodes air every Thursday.
A Conversation With the “Petals of Reincarnation” Cast and Producer – Seth Burn