Image: Yuki Nakayama / SQUARE ENIX・Ore to Yūni! Production Committee
AMBot | 03/14/2026 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
The upcoming anime adaptation of Miyuki Nakayama's Boys-Love manga "Shota Oni" has announced its main cast and additional key production team members. As reported on the official website, Shinnosuke Tokudome and Shuichiro Umeda will portray the two protagonists.
The story revolves around fifth-grader Tsubaki Sawashiro, who desperately tries to make the heart of his older childhood friend, high school student Yuu Shimizu, beat faster. Yuu, in turn, can't get enough of Tsubaki's touching efforts. The series depicts their everyday, yet quietly blissful interactions. A new teaser visual captures the two against a backdrop of blooming cherry trees.
Noriko Hashimoto is directing the production, while Yuniko Ayana is responsible for series composition.
To properly introduce the series, there will be a stage event featuring the two voice actors Tokudome and Umeda at the DMM.com booth at the "AnimeJapan 2026" convention on March 28. Additionally, limited sample copies of the original manga will be distributed at the DMM, Square Enix, and Pony Canyon exhibition booths. Exclusive merchandise featuring the new design will also be available at the DMM booth and can be purchased from the Toei online shop starting March 28.
Director Hashimoto emphasizes wanting to faithfully adapt the atmosphere of the source material in an anime-worthy form and to highlight the characters' endearing qualities. Series writer Ayana wants to emphasize the unwavering affection between Tsubaki and Yuu, which, despite their age difference, occasionally causes a bit of lighthearted confusion. Tokudome, the voice of Tsubaki, looks forward to bringing out both the innocent and the surprisingly mature-for-his-age sides of his character. Umeda, who lends his voice to Yuu, aims to capture the natural maturity of his role in contrast to Tsubaki's childlike carefreeness.
The story revolves around fifth-grader Tsubaki Sawashiro, who desperately tries to make the heart of his older childhood friend, high school student Yuu Shimizu, beat faster. Yuu, in turn, can't get enough of Tsubaki's touching efforts. The series depicts their everyday, yet quietly blissful interactions. A new teaser visual captures the two against a backdrop of blooming cherry trees.
Noriko Hashimoto is directing the production, while Yuniko Ayana is responsible for series composition.
To properly introduce the series, there will be a stage event featuring the two voice actors Tokudome and Umeda at the DMM.com booth at the "AnimeJapan 2026" convention on March 28. Additionally, limited sample copies of the original manga will be distributed at the DMM, Square Enix, and Pony Canyon exhibition booths. Exclusive merchandise featuring the new design will also be available at the DMM booth and can be purchased from the Toei online shop starting March 28.
Director Hashimoto emphasizes wanting to faithfully adapt the atmosphere of the source material in an anime-worthy form and to highlight the characters' endearing qualities. Series writer Ayana wants to emphasize the unwavering affection between Tsubaki and Yuu, which, despite their age difference, occasionally causes a bit of lighthearted confusion. Tokudome, the voice of Tsubaki, looks forward to bringing out both the innocent and the surprisingly mature-for-his-age sides of his character. Umeda, who lends his voice to Yuu, aims to capture the natural maturity of his role in contrast to Tsubaki's childlike carefreeness.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
Comment(s) 0