Who is Natsuko Hirose in Zenshu?

If you’re new to Zenshu or interested in checking it out, you may be unsure about its premise. So, this animator is working on a movie, but now she’s in a fantasy world. Wait, what? Let’s break it down to basics. Zenshu is a meta-isekai anime following an up-and-coming animator named Natsuko Hirose, who gets transported into one of her favorite films, A Tale of Perishing.

You truly can’t talk about Zenshu without addressing Natsuko Hirose. Not only is she the anime’s central protagonist, but she’s also the architect of her adventure. Natsuko can draw sentient animations directly affecting A Tale of Perishing’s universe. Keep reading to learn more about the prodigy animator and how she got transported into a cult classic anime film.

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Natsuko Hirose’s Stats and Appearance

Zenshu introduces Natsuko Hirose, confined in a cubicle inside the animation studio, producing her latest film, a romance drama headed for disaster. However, after eating a bento box with expired clams, the animator dies and awakens inside her favorite film, A Tale of Perishing. She soon discovers she can use the power of her imagination to change the fates of her beloved fantasy characters.

Natsuko Hirose’s Appearance

Natsuko’s favorite outfit is a testament to function over fashion. The young animator wears a purple hoodie, black leggings, and comfortable red and white slip-on sneakers. Her hoodie has deep pockets, perfect for storing her peg bar and other go-to drawing materials.

A look at Natsuko’s physical traits reflects her workaholic tendencies. She is strikingly skinny due to living off low-nutrient junk foods like cup noodles. What’s more apparent is her remarkably long hair, which dangles in front of her face ungroomed. Natsuko decided to delay cutting her hair until she finished the storyboard of her latest film. However, this display of self-discipline appears more like self-punishment. However, Natsuko does not mind her overgrown hairstyle.

Natsuko Hirose’s Personality

Natsuko has a dynamic personality. On the one hand, she is a self-reliant perfectionist who will disregard her own health to achieve her artistic vision. On the other hand, she is passionate, goofy, and fun-loving. Her unbridled enthusiasm for all things anime is evident whenever she nerds out over A Tale of Perishing.

It’s no secret that Natsuko is incredibly talented. Her imagination knows no bounds, allowing her to create all sorts of characters based on various anime archetypes. Her vivid imagination is likely why she is a natural with kids. However, her artistic talent is also a source of narcissism, which Natsuko sometimes struggles to control.

Natsuko’s best trait is her authenticity. She never minces words or stifles her opinion; her frankness positively influences the Last Town. For instance, Natsuko inspires Destiny Heartwarming (A Tale of Perishing’s ​​​​​​fragile damsel character) by standing up to the chauvinistic Chairman who pursues the maiden’s hand in marriage. This moment pushes Destiny to become independent and follow her passion for helping orphaned children.

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Natsuko’s Journey in A Tale of Perishing

How did Natsuko Hirose get isekai’d into a cult classic animated fantasy film in the first place? The story begins at the peak of her budding animation career. After directing a popular magical girl TV series, Natsuko signed a deal with her studio to develop a romantic film. Unfortunately, Natsuko has never been in love, and the lack of lived experience led to a severe case of artist’s block.

While toiling in her cubicle to finish her storyboards, an executive shares bento boxes with the rest of the office. During her lunch break, Natsuko mindlessly eats one of these bentos. Unfortunately, the boxed lunch contained expired clams, causing Natsuko to succumb to severe food poisoning.

When Natsuko awakens, she finds herself in a desert, unsure about her mortality. Coincidentally, she bumps into Luke Braveheart (a typical fantasy knight), Memerun (an Elven warrior), QJ (a much smaller floating C-3PO), and Unio (a chibi unicorn with a big mouth). These are all of Natsuko’s favorite characters from the film A Tale of Perishing, which she was watching while eating the spoiled clams that may have killed her.

Natsuko follows the heroes to the Last Town, the last vestige of civilization untouched by a malevolent species called Voids. Voids attack crystal life forces called Soul Futures. When the Voids destroy every Soul Future worldwide, A Tale of Perishing’s universe will cease to exist. Anticipating the next Void attack, Natsuko tries to warn Luke and his compatriots, but they dismiss her as delusional.

Natsuko is proven correct when an army of Voids attacks the Last Town. In the film, this battle leads to Unio’s death, beginning a chain of tragic events. However, Natsuko’s peg bar becomes sentient and speaks to her, encouraging the animator to draw a new future. This encouragement leads Natsuko to discover that whatever animations she draws will come to life. She uses her new gift to defeat the Voids, resulting in no casualties.

Over the next several episodes, Natsuko uses her magical animations to fight Voids and defend the Last Town. She also befriends A Tale of Perishing’s characters, learning secrets about them never revealed in the film. And while her talents have mostly kept the Voids at bay, these new discoveries introduce deeper problems that a few sketches cannot solve.

ZENSHU

Release Date

January 5, 2025

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  Anna Nagase

  Natsuko Hirose

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  Kazuki Ura

  Luke Braveheart

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