The official X/Twitter account for Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy, the television anime adaptation of Hirafumi and Yagi Shinba’s Ichiko Aika: Zatsu de Namaiki na Imōto to Warikirenai Ani manga, revealed its main cast, key staff, and a January 2026 premiere date on Wednesday. The announcement included a new visual for the upcoming series.
Unveiling the Cast and Their Roles
Leading the voice cast for Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy are:
- Hana Yurimoto as Aika, the titular sassy younger stepsister.
- Yuta Ikarashi as Kōta, the caring older stepbrother.
- Momosuke.
- Iroha Haruno.
The series centers on the evolving relationship between these two step-siblings, particularly focusing on Aika’s dual personality and her eventual softening towards Kōta.
Key Staff Bringing the Manga to Life
The anime is based on the original manga by writer Hirafumi and illustrator Yagi Shinba. Further details regarding the animation studio and specific directorial roles are anticipated. Yagi Shinba also drew a special illustration to commemorate the anime announcement.
Plot Overview: A Complicated Step-Sibling Dynamic
Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy tells the story of Kōta, whose life takes an unexpected turn after his father remarries. He is introduced to his new stepsister, Aika. While Kōta’s initial impression of Aika is that she is beautiful, this image quickly shatters as he discovers her true personality.
Aika is portrayed as a super sassy and foul-mouthed “gyaru” who exhibits uncontrollable behavior when their parents are not present, making Kōta’s daily life challenging. Despite their frequent clashes and the initial animosity, their relationship begins to shift as Aika gradually develops a fondness for Kōta’s caring and protective older-brother nature. This dynamic forms the core of the adult-themed romantic story.
AnimeFesta’s Legacy of Adaptations
Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy will premiere as part of the AnimeFesta programming block in January 2026. AnimeFesta, operated by WWWave Corporation, is well-known for producing anime adaptations of manga, many of which are characterized by their adult or risque themes.
Over the past six years, AnimeFesta (formerly known as Anime Zone and ComicFesta Anime) has adapted more than 25 manga titles. A distinctive feature of AnimeFesta productions is the release of two versions for most series: a censored “broadcast” version aired on television and a “premium” uncensored version distributed online. This approach has led fans to colloquially refer to these titles as “Sōryo-waku,” a term derived from On a Lustful Night Mingling with a Priest, one of AnimeFesta’s earliest adaptations.
The original Ichiko Aika: Zatsu de Namaiki na Imōto to Warikirenai Ani manga is published digitally in full color under CLLENN’s adult comic label DEDEDE on the Comic Cmoa service. Individual chapters became available in November 2022, and three compiled digital volumes were released in September 2025. WWWave Corporation also distributes many of these anime titles in English via its Coolmic website and, more recently, through OceanVeil.
