Just Like Mona Lisa anime shares AnimagiC interview and casting details
The creators of Just Like Mona Lisa discussed AnimagiC, Hinase’s unusual casting process and the 2027 TV anime’s first main promotional video.
The team behind Just Like Mona Lisa (Seibetsu “Mona Lisa” no Kimi e. / 性別「モナリザ」の君へ。) has shared more about the upcoming TV anime after appearing at AnimagiC 2026 in Germany. The series is scheduled to air in 2027, with animation by Shaft and a first main promotional video now available through the official site.12
The story follows Hinase Arima, the only person in their surroundings to reach 18 without choosing a sex. In the world of the series, people are born without one and begin changing towards male or female around the age of 12, with that choice settling by about 14. Hinase’s situation instead remains unresolved as they navigate friendship, romance and the pressure to decide.1
What the AnimagiC interview revealed
AnimeAnime’s interview with creator Tsumuji Yoshimura, Shaft president Mitsutoshi Kubota and producer Manami Kabashima focused on the series’ reception at the German event. The guests described a lively crowd, casual cosplay and strong interest in the project’s stage panel and live drawing session.2
Kabashima also discussed the unusual casting process. More than 100 voices were considered without revealing the candidates’ names or genders, with Chika Anzai ultimately selected for Hinase after the creative team reached a unanimous decision. Seven additional cast members have also been announced: Yoshino Aoyama, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Daisuke Sakuma, Chiharu, Sho Hatano, Hazuki Mikawa and Shion Wakayama.1
The first main PV introduces the anime’s turquoise visual palette and features imase’s ending theme “Mayoi wa Hikari”. The official video is presented in its original Japanese release, while the production announcement confirms Shaft’s animation work, Kana Shundo’s direction and Yuki Hayashi’s music.13
Our opinion
Just Like Mona Lisa has a clear hook beyond its identity-focused premise: it turns an enormous personal decision into the engine for a coming-of-age romance, then gives that conflict a deliberately luminous visual language. The AnimagiC comments add useful context about how carefully the production is treating Hinase’s voice and perspective. With the 2027 broadcast still ahead, the PV’s turquoise imagery and unusual casting approach make this one to watch rather than a series that needs to explain away its central uncertainty.12