The “A Certain” franchise, born from the legendary light novel collaborations between author Kazuma Kamachi and illustrator Haimura Kiyotaka, has become a global powerhouse. From the original “A Certain Magical Index” to fan-favorite spin-offs like “A Certain Scientific Railgun” and “A Certain Scientific Accelerator,” the series has a rich history of anime adaptations. Now, since the Fall 2026 season, the spotlight has shifted to “A Certain Dark Item” (Written by Kazuma Kamachi, Illustrated by Niritsu).
animate Times sat down for an exclusive interview with Kana Hishikawa, the voice behind Chobi Hanano—a disguise specialist who can homogenize elements and find herself tangled up with the infamous underground organization ITEM.
During the recording sessions, Hishikawa was encouraged by the directors to lean into the “raw energy” of the performance. We spoke with her about the unique appeal of “A Certain Dark Item,” her first impressions of her character, and the must-watch highlights for fans.
A Character Who Brings a New Flavor to the Team
──”A Certain Dark Item” is the latest addition to the long-standing “A Certain” anime legacy. As a newcomer to the franchise, what were your first impressions of the story?
Hishikawa: It’s quite rare to see a team that originally appeared as antagonists gets their own series where they take center stage. As a fan myself, it was incredibly exciting news.
There’s a specific kind of “darkness” here that feels different from previous entries. The team led by the protagonist isn’t necessarily doing “the right thing,” and I think that’s the core appeal of “A Certain Dark Item.” I really hope everyone enjoys that unique moral gray area.
──What was your first impression of Choubi Hanano, your character?
Hishikawa: Initially, I thought she might be a bit of a timid girl. Her eyes have a slight droop to them, and her eyebrows always look a bit troubled, so I figured she’s probably the type to lose any verbal argument immediately (laughs).
While the other ITEM members are quite flashy and have very strong, assertive personalities, I feel like Hanano is the opposite—she’s a character who “gets pulled along” by others.
Her presence feels very grounded, someone you can find everywhere, which I think adds a fresh element to the “A Certain Dark Item” dynamic.
──As a specialist in disguise and infiltration, we expect to see Hanano transform into many different people. She’s also known for her occasionally awkward timing. How do you approach playing her?
Hishikawa: During the early stages, the staff described her as being “like a Chihuahua,” so I kept that image in mind.
In my mind, Chihuahuas are tiny and can be a bit snappy—they’re scared, but they still try to stand their ground. I wanted to bring that kind of endearing, feisty energy to Hanano.
Also, I wanted to create a contrast within ITEM. I focused on making her feel like a relatable, everyday girl. I tried to keep my performance natural and “unseasoned,” rather than adding too much artificial flair.
──What are your impressions of the other ITEM members: Shizuri Mugino, Frenda Seivelun, Rikou Takitsubo, and Saiai Kinuhata?
Hishikawa: Mugino is the perfect leader—so much so that ITEM and Mugino are practically synonymous. She’s so perfect that it’s actually a bit terrifying. You never quite know what she’s thinking, which adds to that fear. This is another unique charm of this anime. Usually, you’d feel a sense of closeness or reliability from a protagonist team, but with her, you almost feel like “I definitely don’t want to get near this person!” (laughs). She truly embodies what it means to be part of the Dark Side.
Frenda is the ray of light within that darkness. Every time she speaks, the screen just brightens up. She brings that “bubbly teenage girl” energy to the group. Honestly, without Frenda, I think the team would feel much bleaker. I’m grateful for the brightness she brings and how she represents the “girlier” side of the group.
Takitsubo is a girl who clearly adores Mugino. Their mutual understanding is incredible—they know what the other needs without saying a word. I often wonder how she understands so much while saying so little! Her few lines carry so much weight and act as a sharp “spice” to the environment.
Kinuhata is probably the most mysterious member to me. We see how she joins ITEM, and even though she’s a new addition, she fits in so seamlessly it’s like she’s always been there. She’s never shaken; she just steps into the group with a casual “looking forward to working with you.” That vibe feels both very human and yet slightly otherworldly. She’s a mysterious character that makes you want to know more.
Don’t Let the “Cute Girls” Look Fool You
──Do you have any memorable stories from the recording booth or specific direction from the staff?
Hishikawa: Even though Hanano is timid and easily frightened, there are scenes where she lashes out with a “Bam!” because her fear turns into a defensive outburst.
During those moments, the staff told me, “You need more momentum! Don’t hold back.” I realized then, “Oh, I can go even further!” (laughs).
I had been putting a bit of a psychological brake on my performance because it was Hanano, but I learned that in this series, it’s okay to take the brakes off and just go for it. That “momentum” became a key focus for me.
──Did you have any interesting interactions with the rest of the cast?
Hishikawa: Even though I was the new kid joining the “A Certain” universe with this project, everyone was so incredibly kind to me. During breaks, we’d have casual chats, and they’d fill me in on lore or character details, like “Actually, it’s like this…” or “Frenda is actually…” Their kindness was a huge help to me.
──There might be people starting their “A Certain” journey with this specific series. What are the key points they should look out for?
Hishikawa: Most of the main characters are girls, but they engage in some seriously hardcore, flashy action. You’ll definitely love the “gap” between their appearance and their skills (laughs).
When you see the key visual, you might think, “Oh, is this a slice-of-life show about cute girls hanging out?” Not at all! (laughs).
Even their casual conversations don’t sound like “typical” girls—you can really feel that these are protagonists from the Dark Side who aren’t supposed to exist in the light of day. I hope fans enjoy that contrast of cute girls having very un-girly interactions.
──Finally, do you have a message for the viewers looking forward to the upcoming episodes?
Hishikawa: When I first read the original novel for “A Certain Dark Item,” I wondered how they would translate it into animation. The director has done a perfect job of bringing it to life, and it’s genuinely exciting. Please cheer for everyone as they fight their way through this world!
Also—and this might be a bit of a weird suggestion—if you watch “A Certain Dark Item” first and then go back to watch the rest of the “A Certain” series in chronological order, there will definitely be moments where you go “Oh!”… and maybe some moments where you go “Oh no…” (laughs). I hope you continue to support both “Item” and the entire “A Certain” franchise. Thank you so much!
“A Certain Dark Item” ─ Series Information
Streaming new episodes weekly on Crunchyroll every Friday!
Synopsis
A massive metropolis known as “Academy City” sits in Western Tokyo.
With a total population of 2.30 million—roughly 80% of whom are students—the city implements a specialized curriculum for ESP development. The students’ abilities are ranked across six tiers, ranging from “Level 0” (No Ability) to “Level 5” (Overpower).
It is a dream-like educational institution boasting scientific technology that far surpasses the standard world, where anyone is granted scientific powers and can live safely. Yet, behind this facade of peace lies the “Dark Side”—underground organizations that handle dirty work never meant to see the light of day.
“ITEM”—an elite squad composed of four girls.
Saiai Kinuhata, who controls nitrogen to provide an ironclad defense.
Frenda Seivelun, who wreaks havoc on the battlefield with explosives and traps.
Rikou Takitsubo, who can track others by sensing the faint “AIM diffusion fields” emitted by espers.
And Shizuri Mugino, one of only seven “Level 5” espers in the entire city.
Then, a “fifth” girl appears before them.
Her arrival will lure ITEM into a brand-new darkness—
This is a story depicting the daily lives, bonds, and deep, dark abysses of quite unusual esper girls—steeped in violence, outrage, and depravity.
Cast
Shizuri Mugino: Ami Koshimizu
Frenda Seivelun: Maaya Uchida
Rikou Takitsubo: Aya Suzaki
Saiai Kinuhata: Chinatsu Akasaki
Chobi Hanano: Hana Hishikawa
©Kazuma Kamachi/KADOKAWA/PROJECT-ITEM
★Teaser Site
★Official Website
★Official X(Twitter) (@toaru_project)
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
