Just Like Mona Lisa Anime by SHAFT Reveals Teaser Trailer and Lead Cast at ANImagic

SHAFT unveiled a teaser trailer for its TV anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa at a special stage event during ANImagic 2026 in Mannheim, Germany, confirming Chika Anzai as the lead voice and revealing the core production staff.

Teaser Premiere and Lead Cast

The world premiere of the Just Like Mona Lisa teaser trailer took place at a dedicated stage event during ANImagic on August 1, giving audiences their first animated look at the adaptation of Tsumuji Yoshimura's manga. Known in Japanese as Seibetsu "Mona Lisa" no Kimi e, the series is set in a world where all people are born genderless and must eventually choose a gender identity for themselves. The footage offered a glimpse of SHAFT's visual treatment of the material, with the studio's distinctive artistic sensibility on full display.

The story follows Hinase Arima, a young person who has not chosen a gender despite passing the age when most people in this world make that decision, and explores how that refusal shapes every relationship around them. Chika Anzai takes on the lead role. Anzai is well recognized for voicing Chisato Nishikigi in Lycoris Recoil and Asuka Nishino in Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle, bringing a proven ability to convey emotional nuance and internal conflict to a character caught between societal pressure and personal authenticity.

Production Staff

Director Kana Shundo will helm the series at SHAFT. Shundo previously directed Apocalypse Hotel and served as assistant director on both Luminous Witches and Princess Connect Re:Dive, accumulating experience across action, comedy, and character-driven storytelling. Nobuhiro Sugiyama handles both character design and chief animation director duties. His credits include Arakawa Under the Bridge and March Comes in Like a Lion, both SHAFT productions, bringing valuable studio-specific continuity to the visual direction.

Composer Yuki Hayashi rounds out the announced creative team. Best known for his propulsive score on My Hero Academia, Hayashi has also demonstrated a more delicate sensibility with his recent work on Medalist. That versatility - spanning intense action scoring and intimate character drama - positions him well for a series that balances quiet introspection with emotionally charged turning points. CyberAgent is handling production management for the project.

The Source Manga

Yoshimura's original manga was serialized on Square Enix's Gangan Online from May 2018 through December 2022, spanning 10 compiled volumes. The premise imagines a society where every person is born without a defined gender and must choose one for themselves. Hinase Arima stands apart by remaining undecided well past the expected age, and the narrative examines what that refusal means for the character's bonds with childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, both of whom have already made their choices.

The manga earned a dedicated following for its thoughtful, non-sensationalized approach to gender identity, self-discovery, and the weight of conformity. English-language readers can access the series digitally through Square Enix's Manga UP! Global app and BookWalker, with physical volumes published by Square Enix Manga & Books.

What Comes Next

No premiere date or broadcast window for the TV anime has been announced. With the teaser now public and the lead cast and core staff locked in, additional casting reveals and a full-length promotional video are the expected next milestones. SHAFT's portfolio includes visually distinctive anime such as the Monogatari series and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and the studio's involvement has drawn significant attention to the adaptation. Streaming platform availability and episode count details remain to be confirmed.