The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Yu Hibari and Shiso’s romantic comedy light novel series, Tenkō-saki no Seiso Karen na Bishōjo ga, Mukashi Danshi to Omotte Issho ni Asonda Osananajimi Datta Ken (The Neat and Beautiful Girl at My New School Was My Childhood Friend Whom I Thought Was a Boy and I Played Together With), is slated to premiere in 2026. Asmik Ace officially announced that Ikumi Hasegawa will star as a cast member in the upcoming series.
Ikumi Hasegawa Joins the Cast for 2026 Premiere
Fans can mark their calendars for 2026, as the television anime adaptation of Tenkō-saki no Seiso Karen na Bishōjo ga, Mukashi Danshi to Omotte Issho ni Asonda Osananajimi Datta Ken is set to make its debut. The revelation of Ikumi Hasegawa as a key cast member adds further excitement to the upcoming series. Hasegawa is known for her roles in various popular anime, promising a compelling performance for this new romantic comedy.
The Anime Adaptation Journey
The anime project was initially announced during Kadokawa’s “Sneaker Bunko 35th Anniversary Festa!” livestream on September 24, 2023. At that time, specific details regarding the cast, staff, or exact release date were not disclosed. Since then, it was confirmed to be a television series, building anticipation for its eventual broadcast.
Unraveling the Romantic Comedy Premise
The series, often shortened to Tenbin, centers on the charming and often humorous misadventures of Hayato Kirishima. As a child, Hayato’s best friend was a boy named Haruki, with whom he shared a close bond. Seven years later, after moving away, Hayato is reunited with his childhood friend upon transferring to a new school. To his surprise, Haruki is now the class idol, renowned for her beauty, academic prowess, and athletic abilities—and is, in fact, a girl.
From Web Novel to Screen
Tenkō-saki no Seiso Karen na Bishōjo ga, Mukashi Danshi to Omotte Issho ni Asonda Osananajimi Datta Ken originated as a web novel on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in June 2020. It was later acquired by Kadokawa Shoten, which has published eight volumes of the light novel series with illustrations by Shiso since February 2021 under their Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Kina Ōyama, was also serialized online from September 2021 to June 2025 and collected into seven tankōbon volumes. The narrative explores whether the core feelings and promises between Hayato and Haruki remain unchanged despite their evolving circumstances and Hayato’s initial misunderstanding.
