The upcoming Just Like Mona Lisa anime has unveiled its main visual, a new teaser trailer featuring the ending theme song, and seven additional cast members. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2027, with Studio SHAFT handling animation production and Japanese singer imase performing the ending theme featured in the latest trailer.
The anime stars Chika Anzai as Hinase Arima. The newly announced cast also includes Yoshino Aoyama, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Daisuke Sakuma, Chiharu, Kakeru Hatano, Haruna Mikawa, and Shion Wakayama. Further details about their respective characters have yet to be revealed.
SHAFT Leads the Anime Adaptation
The adaptation is based on The Gender of Mona Lisa’s You, a romance drama manga written and illustrated by Tsumuji Yoshimura. Kana Shundo is directing the anime, while Nobuhiro Sugiyama serves as character designer and chief animation director. Yuki Hayashi is composing the music, with CyberAgent overseeing production.
The project was initially announced by CyberAgent under the codename “Project M.” Its adaptation brings Yoshimura’s acclaimed work to the screen through SHAFT, the animation studio known for Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the Monogatari series, and March Comes in Like a Lion. The production also coincides with the studio’s 50th anniversary year.
In addition, the production team recently had the opportunity to speak with manga author Tsumuji Yoshimura, SHAFT CEO Mitsutoshi Kubota, and CyberAgent producer Manami Kabashima during their visit to the German convention AnimagiC.
A Romance About Identity and Growing Up
Just Like Mona Lisa takes place in a world where people are born genderless and typically choose a gender around the age of twelve. However, Hinase Arima remains genderless even at eighteen, making their situation unusual within society.
Hinase’s quiet high school life begins to change when two childhood friends, Ritsu Kaga and Shiori Takayama, confess their romantic feelings. Their confessions force Hinase to confront unfamiliar emotions while navigating questions about identity, relationships, and the expectations placed on them.
With its exploration of gender identity and romance, the anime offers a character-driven story that goes beyond a conventional love triangle. More information about the newly announced cast members and the series’ full release schedule is expected to emerge ahead of its 2027 premiere.
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