Naruko “Anaru” Anjo, one of the main characters in Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, is voiced by Haruka Tomatsu in the original Japanese version and Erica Lindbeck in the English dub. Tomatsu’s performance captures Anaru’s blend of confidence, vulnerability, and emotional maturity, while Lindbeck’s English portrayal helped introduce the character to a wider international audience.

Japanese Voice Actor: Haruka Tomatsu

Date of Birth

February 4, 1990

About Haruka

Haruka Tomatsu is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Music Ray’n. Since her debut in 2007, she has become one of the most recognizable voices in anime, known for leading roles across action, romance, fantasy, and comedy series. Her portrayal of Naruko “Anaru” Anjo in Anohana remains one of her most celebrated dramatic performances.

In Anohana, Tomatsu brings depth to Anaru’s emotional struggles as she navigates lingering feelings for Jinta Yadomi and the unresolved grief surrounding Menma’s death. The role showcased a more grounded and emotional side of her voice acting range compared to many of her energetic anime heroines.

Hometown

Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Career Highlights

Some of Haruka Tomatsu’s best-known roles include:

  • Naruko “Anaru” Anjo — Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
  • Asuna Yuuki — Sword Art Online
  • Zero Two — DARLING in the FRANXX
  • Kyoko Hori — Horimiya
  • Morgiana — Magi
  • Lala Satalin Deviluke — To Love-Ru
  • Nagi — Kannagi
  • Keita Amano — Yo-kai Watch

Full Current Filmography

The following list highlights major documented anime roles and is not intended to be a complete record of every credit.

Television Anime

2008

  • To Love-Ru — Lala Satalin Deviluke
  • Kannagi — Nagi

2011

  • Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day — Naruko “Anaru” Anjo

2012

  • Sword Art Online — Asuna Yuuki

2012–2014

  • Magi — Morgiana

2014–Present

  • Yo-kai Watch — Keita Amano

2018

  • DARLING in the FRANXX — Zero Two

2021

  • Horimiya — Kyoko Hori

This filmography reflects notable and widely documented credits from available sources and may not be exhaustive.

Critical Reception

Haruka Tomatsu’s performance as Anaru has been praised by fans for balancing the character’s fashionable exterior with her underlying emotional vulnerability. Throughout Anohana, Anaru often acts as a bridge between the former Super Peace Busters members, and Tomatsu’s nuanced performance helped make her one of the series’ most relatable characters. Many viewers regard Anaru as one of the standout performances in the cast alongside Menma and Jintan.

Our Sources

English Voice Actor: Erica Lindbeck

Date of Birth

May 29, 1992 (Wikipedia)

About Erica

Erica Lindbeck is an American voice actress known for her extensive work in anime, video games, and animation. Since entering the industry in the early 2010s, she has become one of the most recognizable voices in English dubbing. Her performance as Naruko “Anaru” Anjo in Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day brought emotional depth and authenticity to one of the series’ most complex characters.

As Anaru, Lindbeck portrays a young woman struggling with unspoken feelings, personal insecurities, and lingering grief over Menma’s death. Her performance captures both Anaru’s outgoing personality and the vulnerability hidden beneath her confident exterior.

Hometown

Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Wikipedia)

Career Highlights

Some of Erica Lindbeck’s most notable roles include:

  • Naruko “Anaru” Anjo — Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
  • Futaba Sakura — Persona 5
  • Mordred — Fate/Apocrypha
  • Kaori Miyazono — Your Lie in April
  • Loona — Helluva Boss
  • Black Cat — Marvel’s Spider-Man
  • Magilou — Tales of Berseria
  • Jessie — Final Fantasy VII Remake
  • Celica — Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
  • Cheelai — Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Full Current Filmography

The following list reflects major documented credits and is not intended to be a complete record of every role.

Anime Series

2015

  • Your Lie in April — Kaori Miyazono

2017

  • Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day — Naruko “Anaru” Anjo
  • Fate/Apocrypha — Mordred

2018

  • Dragon Ball Super — Cheelai
  • Seven Deadly Sins — Jericho

2020

  • Dorohedoro — Nikaido
  • BNA: Brand New Animal — Marie Itami

2022

  • Cyberpunk: Edgerunners — Additional Voices

Video Games

Persona Series

  • Persona 5 — Futaba Sakura
  • Persona 5 Royal — Futaba Sakura
  • Persona 5 Strikers — Futaba Sakura
  • Persona 5 Tactica — Futaba Sakura

Final Fantasy Series

  • Final Fantasy VII Remake — Jessie Rasberry
  • Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Jessie Rasberry

Fire Emblem Series

  • Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia — Celica
  • Fire Emblem Heroes — Celica

Other Notable Games

  • Tales of Berseria — Magilou
  • Street Fighter 6 — A.K.I.
  • Marvel’s Avengers — Black Cat
  • Mortal Kombat 11 — Cassie Cage
  • Genshin Impact — Mona (selected promotional media)

Critical Reception

Erica Lindbeck’s portrayal of Anaru received praise from dub viewers for maintaining the emotional nuance that made the character popular in the original Japanese version. Fans frequently cite her ability to balance Anaru’s confidence, jealousy, humor, and vulnerability throughout the series. Her performance helped make Anaru one of the most memorable characters in the English adaptation of Anohana.

Our Sources

Social Media

Published by Limarc Ambalina

Limarc Ambalina is the founder of Japan Bound, a website covering all things Japan — from travel and culture to anime, manga, and pop culture. He is also the Director of Content at ISNation and the former VP of Editorial at HackerNoon. Based in Japan, he has been writing about Japanese life and entertainment since 2019, growing the site to over 2.4 million views.

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