The manga Just Like Mona Lisa will have an anime adaptation produced by SHAFT

CyberAgent has officially announced the production of a television anime adaptation of the manga Just Like Mona Lisa (性別(Seibetsu)「モナ・リザ」の君へ), the original work of Tsumuji Yoshimura. To further raise expectations for the project, it has been confirmed that the acclaimed studio SHAFT will be in charge of the animation — and this isn’t just another studio gig, but a shrewd alignment of artistic sensibilities.

The decision to premiere the trailer at a European convention in Germany this August, before even a Japanese debut, is no coincidence. Just Like Mona Lisa carries a solid international presence thanks to its English-language publication through Square Enix. Debuting the project abroad first speaks to the global reach the team sees in this story — a strategic nod to its worldwide readership.

"Just Like Mona Lisa" TV anime adaptation officially announced with a teaser visual, animation production: SHAFT.

This is the "Project M" announced by CyberAgent last summer.

A trailer and the main voice cast will be unveiled during a special panel at AnimagiC on August 1,… pic.twitter.com/i44lrU4hzs

— Anime News by AIR (@AIR_News01) June 17, 2026

What We Know So Far

• No confirmed release date or full cast and crew details yet.
• The August 1 panel is where those gaps are expected to be filled.
• Creator Tsumuji Yoshimura shared a special illustration to celebrate the announcement, hinting at the collaborative energy already in play.

A Manga That Reached a Million Readers

The manga serialized in Gangan Online from Square Enix between May 2018 and December 2022 — a run of over four and a half years. It was collected in ten volumes that exceed one million copies in circulation. That kind of reach confirms the story resonated deeply, and now it’s heading to screens.

Why SHAFT Is the Right Fit

SHAFT’s portfolio — from the stark metaphors in Puella Magi Madoka Magica to the stylized dialogue of the Monogatari series — demonstrates a rare knack for translating psychological nuance into animation. The studio has a long history of approaching emotionally and visually charged stories, and the introspective nature of Just Like Mona Lisa seems to fit that sensibility precisely.

This narrative leans into the quieter, almost nakige-like moments of self-discovery rather than overt spectacle — the kind of material where SHAFT’s directorial flourishes could truly amplify the manga’s subtleties. One can’t help but wonder how a character designer’s line work might convey Hinase’s quiet defiance without a single word spoken.

The choice of SHAFT tells you everything about the project’s intended emotional register — this is a story that breathes in silence, and that’s exactly where this studio excels.

About Just Like Mona Lisa

Just Like Mona Lisa is a manga by Tsumuji Yoshimura, published in Gangan Online from Square Enix. The story takes place in a world where children are born without a defined gender — around the age of twelve, people begin to develop towards the gender they want, generally completing the process before the age of fourteen.

The Protagonist and the Heart of the Story

The protagonist, Hinase, chooses to remain genderless even after turning eighteen — a decision that sets them apart from childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already made theirs. The narrative explores love, self-discovery, and personal choice as Hinase navigates relationships and social expectations in a world that continues to demand clear definitions where none may be needed. It is a premise ripe for introspection.

Questions Worth Holding Onto

• Does SHAFT’s involvement give you confidence the adaptation will honor the source’s tonal balance, or does the studio’s distinct style concern you about stylistic overreach?
• How might this project influence broader conversations about gender representation in anime, given its intentional global rollout?

The August trailer premiere should begin to answer those questions. Until then, the pairing of SHAFT with a story this emotionally precise is, at the very least, one of the most promising anime announcements of the year.