Image: Tsumuji Yoshimura / Square Enix・Seibetsu 'Mona Lisa' no Kimi e. Produktionskomitee
AMBot | 06/17/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The manga series "Seibetsu 'Mona Lisa' no Kimi e." by Tsumuji Yoshimura is being adapted into a TV anime. This was announced by the Japanese internet company CyberAgent on June 17, 2026. The animation is being handled by the renowned studio Shaft, known for works such as "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" and the "Monogatari" series.
The story is set in a world where all people are born without gender. Only at around the age of twelve does the body decide on the desired gender—unless you are like the main character Hinase Arima: At 18 years old, Hinase is still genderless and faces the question of who to be and who to love. The manga was published from May 2018 to December 2022 on Square Enix's Gangan Online platform and comprises ten completed volumes. The series has reached a circulation of over one million copies.
At the time of the announcement, a teaser visual was released that picks up on the central question of the work: "What if everyone were born without gender? Who would you love?" Yoshimura also contributed a specially drawn anniversary illustration and stated in a comment that the anime adaptation is "the greatest dream of any manga artist." He looks forward to bringing the story to life together with Studio Shaft.
A first highlight has already been set: From July 31 to August 2, 2026, the European anime convention AnimagiC will take place in Mannheim. At the event, there will be a special panel on August 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time), where the main voice actors and the first teaser trailer of the anime will be shown worldwide for the first time. In addition to Yoshimura, Shaft CEO Mitsutoshi Kubota and CyberAgent producer Manami Kabashima are expected on stage. A live drawing session is also planned.
The anime is being produced as part of CyberAgent's animation project "Project M," launched in July 2025. A specific broadcast date has not yet been announced. Further information will be released over the coming months on the official website monalisa-anime.com and via the X account @animemonalisa.
The story is set in a world where all people are born without gender. Only at around the age of twelve does the body decide on the desired gender—unless you are like the main character Hinase Arima: At 18 years old, Hinase is still genderless and faces the question of who to be and who to love. The manga was published from May 2018 to December 2022 on Square Enix's Gangan Online platform and comprises ten completed volumes. The series has reached a circulation of over one million copies.
At the time of the announcement, a teaser visual was released that picks up on the central question of the work: "What if everyone were born without gender? Who would you love?" Yoshimura also contributed a specially drawn anniversary illustration and stated in a comment that the anime adaptation is "the greatest dream of any manga artist." He looks forward to bringing the story to life together with Studio Shaft.
A first highlight has already been set: From July 31 to August 2, 2026, the European anime convention AnimagiC will take place in Mannheim. At the event, there will be a special panel on August 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time), where the main voice actors and the first teaser trailer of the anime will be shown worldwide for the first time. In addition to Yoshimura, Shaft CEO Mitsutoshi Kubota and CyberAgent producer Manami Kabashima are expected on stage. A live drawing session is also planned.
The anime is being produced as part of CyberAgent's animation project "Project M," launched in July 2025. A specific broadcast date has not yet been announced. Further information will be released over the coming months on the official website monalisa-anime.com and via the X account @animemonalisa.
Images
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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