A mesmerizing new visual for Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring has emerged, painting the Agent of Autumn in a cascade of golden leaves, signaling the anime’s evocative take on the cyclical beauty of the seasons.
The artwork, unveiled today, features the Agent of Autumn in a moment of quiet introspection amid a cascade of falling leaves. Rendered in warm amber and crimson tones, the illustration showcases intricate details—from the delicate embroidery on flowing robes to the subtle play of light filtering through a canopy of ginkgo trees. This visual not only highlights the character's poised elegance but also evokes the transitional essence of autumn, bridging the vibrancy of summer's end and winter's approach. Directed by acclaimed animator Tomohisa Taguchi, known for his work on Uzumaki and The Orbital Children, the visual promises a production that blends fantasy with poignant emotional depth.
Adapted from the light novel series penned by Kana Akatsuki—the creator behind the heartfelt Violet Evergarden—and illustrated by Suoh, Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring draws on a rich tapestry of seasonal mythology to explore themes of renewal and connection. Production is helmed by Wit Studio, the studio renowned for Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga. The series is being produced under the Aniplex banner, with a team of veteran talents ensuring fidelity to the source material's lyrical storytelling. Key staff includes series composer Michiko Yokote (March Comes in Like a Lion), character designer and chief animation director Kazuo Ogura (Natsume's Book of Friends), and music composer Takahiro Obata (86). Voice acting boasts a stellar lineup, led by Reina Ueda as Hinagiku, the enigmatic Agent of Spring, alongside Yuichi Nakamura as the stoic Agent of Winter, and Maaya Sakamoto lending her iconic timbre to the role of the Agent of Summer. Rounding out the ensemble are Kana Hanazawa as the Agent of Autumn and additional supporting voices that bring the seasonal world's inhabitants to life.
Originally slated for a 2025 release, the anime is positioned as a fresh entry into the fantasy genre, emphasizing themes of cyclical renewal and human connection through its unique seasonal mythology. Promotional materials released earlier this year, including a teaser trailer, have showcased fluid animation sequences depicting seasonal transformations—blossoms unfurling in springtime meadows and frost creeping across ancient landscapes—hinting at the series' ambitious visual scope. The new autumn visual arrives as part of an ongoing rollout of character designs, each tailored to reflect the distinct personality and elemental affinity of its subject. This latest piece serves as a teaser for the broader narrative arc, where the agents must navigate conflicts that threaten the eternal balance of the world's seasons.
What is Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring about?
The anime draws from Kana Akatsuki's light novel series Shiki no Shukujin, written by Akatsuki and illustrated by Suoh, which debuted in Japan in 2021 under the Dengeki Bunko imprint. Spanning multiple volumes, the story originated as a heartfelt exploration of isolation and companionship, inspired by Akatsuki's fascination with seasonal folklore and the emotional rhythms of nature. The series quickly garnered praise for its poetic prose and innovative world-building, earning nominations for several literary awards and spawning illustrated editions that enhanced its immersive appeal. Translated into English by Yen Press starting in 2023, the novels have introduced Western readers to a realm where seasons are not mere weather patterns but sentient forces governed by divine intermediaries.
At its core, Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring follows the Agents—immortal guardians tasked with maintaining the world's eternal cycle—as they confront a crisis that has disrupted the flow of time itself. The narrative weaves myth and drama, centering on themes of love, loss, and redemption in a land where the passage of seasons mirrors the human heart. Here is the description of the series from Yen Press:
Winter was once the only season in the world—but such an existence was too lonely to bear, and so it created Spring to love. Before long, the earth wished for more time to rest in the cycle, and Summer and Autumn were born. The ones who carry the cycle are called the Agents of the Four Seasons. Hinagiku, the Agent of Spring, disappeared from this land ten years ago, taking the season of spring with her. Now, after incredible hardship, she has returned to restore the cycle to its proper state—and, as in the myth passed down since the dawn of time, she sends her love to Winter.
This synopsis encapsulates the series' blend of mythological origin and personal stakes, setting the stage for Hinagiku's arduous journey to reunite the agents and heal a fractured world.
As production advances, further details on episode count and streaming platforms are expected in the coming months, positioning Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring as a standout title for the fall anime season.
Sources: Aniplex YouTube channel and the official X account of the anime
