Momentary Lily is a Japanese original science fiction anime series produced by GoHands in collaboration with Shochiku.
It first aired from January to March 2025 on TOKYO MX and other stations.
The story follows a group of girls, led by Yuri Kawazu, surviving in a world devastated by mysterious machines known as Wild Hunt.
Together, they wield powerful weapons called Andvari to battle these threats while searching for meaning, warmth, and connection in a ruined world.
Beyond its post-apocalyptic action, the series explores deep friendships, the healing power of food shared together, and unforgettable emotional bonds.
Momentary Lily was conceived by GoHands after Shochiku requested an original project.
The studio pitched an action cooking project where girls survive in a ruined world, fight together, and bond through homemade meals.
Shochiku requested the protagonists be female and encouraged a focus on high-quality action with an eye toward overseas expansion.
The title combines the words “Mortal” and “Momentary” to evoke the fragility and fleeting nature of life.
The protagonist group’s names draw from cherry blossom varieties and flower names, capturing the tension between danger and hope in daily life.
Character personalities stem from splitting an ideal “Lily” archetype into five, with Yuri Kawazu closest to the original.
The signature weapons, Andvari, use musical instruments as motifs, reinforcing the narrative of emotional resonance.
Earth in Momentary Lily was created by an extraterrestrial lifeform known as "Yabatan."
Over time, these beings studied intelligent civilizations on various planets.
Their plan had three phases:
first, collect data from randomly selected intelligent life;
then, create weapons in the image of these life forms, infiltrating human families;
last, unleash the Wild Hunt machines to eradicate humanity and study its culture.
However, the aliens abandoned their project for unknown reasons, leaving rogue Wild Hunt machines to destroy humanity indiscriminately.
Yuri and her friends, believing themselves to be human, have instead been replicated weapons, continuing the battle under the illusion of humanity.
Suddenly, monstrous machines called Wild Hunt appear and erase most of humanity.
Yuri Kawazu and her friends—Erika Kōdaiji, Hinageshi Usuzumi, Sazanka Yoshino, and Renge Kasumi—fight back using Andvari, special weapon-jewelry.
One day, they find Renge wandering alone.
She has no memory of her past except that she, too, possesses an Andvari.
The group welcomes Renge, but tragedy strikes—Yuri dies in battle.
The girls discover a secret underground facility and learn they are not humans but weapons designed to perfectly imitate people.
Renge defeats the final boss, Balor, at the cost of her own life.
With the major threats removed, humanity starts rebuilding, and the remaining girls continue their fight to defeat the remaining Wild Hunt machines, determined to create a safer world.
Wild Hunt
Wild Hunt are massive, machine-like lifeforms.
They resemble metallic disks fused with human-like bodies and appeared alongside smaller robots that maintain lifelines such as infrastructure.
They ruthlessly hunt humans, driving the survivors into hiding.
Andvari
Andvari are initially small pieces of jewelry.
When users declare “Andvari Extend,” they transform into large, formidable weapons—each unique to the user.
These weapons are instrumental in battles against the Wild Hunt.
Anime
Momentary Lily aired in Japan on several networks, including TOKYO MX, BS Asahi, AT-X, and Kansai TV from January to March 2025.
AT-X exclusively aired a special Episode 14.
Manga
A manga adaptation, Momentary Lily: 100 Things We Want to Do Before Graduation, illustrated by Rei, began serialization in Manga UP! in September 2024.
This manga offers an alternate storyline where the girls attend school and complete a “bucket list” together, rather than fighting for survival.
Novel
A light novel series, Momentary Lily: Precious Interludes, written by Tamazou Yatsunagi with illustrations by syuri22, started publication in January 2025.
It offers expanded stories set in the anime universe.
Web Videos
Voice dramas scripted by Tamazou Yatsunagi have been released on the official SHOCHIKU anime YouTube channel, showcasing playful, character-driven scenarios.
Cooking Specials
The anime cast recreated dishes from the show in special YouTube videos, deepening the series’ thematic focus on food and survival.
Blu-ray Releases
Momentary Lily’s Blu-ray volumes began releasing in May 2025, each containing three to four episodes.
The opening theme “Oishii Survivor” is performed by Hanabie., highlighting the series’ spirited survival vibe.
The ending theme “Real” by miwa brings a heartfelt close to each episode.
Main Group
Yuri Kawazu
Yuri is the team’s energetic and optimistic leader, always ready to charge ahead.
She’s known for being a bit clumsy and her catchphrase, “Keep moving forward!”
Her Andvari is the sword “Tyrfing.”
She tragically perishes early but leaves a lasting impact on the group.
Erika Kōdaiji
The “big sister” of the group and its emotional anchor, Erika is nurturing—with her own brand of advice called the “Big Sister’s Wisdom Bag.”
Her Andvari transforms into the shield “Midgards.”
She is supportive, especially to those feeling lost.
Hinageshi Usuzumi
An indoor type obsessed with gaming, Hinageshi’s lack of stamina is offset by keen analytical skills.
She shares a close friendship with Erika.
Her Andvari, “Gleipnir,” specializes in hacking.
Often, she frames her opinions as “From my point of view…”
Renge Kasumi
Painfully shy, Renge faints when meeting new people.
She’s skilled at making meals from preserved food and lively when talking about cuisine.
Her Andvari enables flight and can easily defeat two Wild Hunt machines at once.
After Yuri’s death, Renge combines her own Andvari with hers, taking on Yuri’s legacy.
She has no memories of her past and her catchphrase is “Kappo!”
Sazanka Yoshino
No matter how bleak things get, Sazanka remains stylish—a classic gyaru (gal).
Her Andvari, “Gungnir,” is shaped like a crossbow.
She loves quoting four-character idioms and classical sayings.
Ayame Sakuya
Cool and composed, Ayame keeps the group grounded and comes up with names for both the Wild Hunt and Andvari.
Her Andvari forms into two swords called “Surt.”
Her catchphrase is “Guilty.”
Others
Citron
A girl who posts photos online to signal her survival.
Her real name remains unknown.
She meets Renge’s group in episode 7, after sheltering with survivors in a subway station.
Lily of the Valley
She sent Citron videos requesting rescue.
In episode 8, she admits Renge is her sister and reveals her story.
Nerine
Yuri’s childhood friend who was separated during a battle and went missing.
Nerine reappears in episode 10, revealing that she too woke up in a mysterious underground facility.
GoHands led animation production, with Shingo Suzuki serving as chief director and character designer.
A unique feature is the integration of musical instrument motifs into the weapons’ designs, a suggestion shaped in collaboration with concept designer Takahiro Kishida.
Much care also went into authentic, mouthwatering depictions of food to balance the show’s tension with moments of comfort.
Momentary Lily quickly garnered attention for its stunning visuals, unique blend of action and culinary themes, and deep character writing.
Viewers praised the strong emotional journey and distinctive personalities of the heroines.
Critical response highlighted the original setting and visual creativity by GoHands.
Voice drama episodes and in-character cooking programs broadened the series’ reach and reflected its central theme: finding hope and joy, even in hardship, through friendship and shared experiences.
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