Just Like Mona Lisa Anime by SHAFT Reveals Trailer, Cast, Staff
The production coincides with SHAFT's 50th anniversary year, and the studio's involvement signals a high-profile adaptation of a manga that has already sold over 1 million copies.
Key Facts
- Chika Anzai voices Hinase in the Just Like Mona Lisa anime.
- Kana Shundo directs the series at SHAFT, with CyberAgent managing production.
- The manga surpassed 1 million copies in circulation and consists of eight main volumes plus companion volumes X and Y.
- The manga ran on Square Enix's Gangan Online website from May 2018 to December 2022.
- The trailer premiered at ANImagic in Mannheim, Germany, on August 1, 2026.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Corner.
The television anime adaptation of Tsumuji Yoshimura's manga Just Like Mona Lisa unveiled its first trailer, lead cast member, and main staff on Saturday, August 1, during a stage panel at the ANImagic convention in Mannheim, Germany. Chika Anzai will voice Hinase, the protagonist who lives without a gender. Kana Shundo, known for Apocalypse Hotel, is directing the series at SHAFT, with CyberAgent managing production. Nobuhiro Sugiyama, whose credits include Arakawa Under the Bridge and March Comes in Like a Lion, is designing the characters and serving as chief animation director, while Yuki Hayashi, composer for My Hero Academia and Medalist, is writing the music. The manga, which ran on Square Enix's Gangan Online website from May 2018 to December 2022, has surpassed 1 million copies in circulation. The series consists of eight main volumes plus companion volumes X and Y. The announcement also included a live drawing session by Yoshimura, with SHAFT CEO Mitsutoshi Kubota and CyberAgent producer Manami Kabashima in attendance.
The anime was first announced by CyberAgent under the codename Project M, and this trailer marks the first public look at the project. SHAFT is the studio behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the Monogatari series, and March Comes in Like a Lion, and this new work arrives as the studio celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Anzai commented on her role, saying she will never forget the impact the story had on her when she first encountered it during the audition. She noted that the original creator, Jun Yoshimura, is present at every recording session, which she called reassuring. She also described the series as having serious themes but also heartwarming, funny, and romantic moments.
The manga's story asks what would happen if everyone were born genderless, and follows Hinase, who continues to live without a gender, alongside childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already chosen theirs. Square Enix publishes the manga in English digitally through Manga UP! Global and in print through Square Enix Manga & Books, which released the 10th volume on May 19.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.