by It has been announced that the TV anime “Strawberry Elegy: A Messy, Lively Little Sister and an Unreasonable Brother” will begin airing in January 2026 as a new release in the “Monk Slot” (AnimeFesta Original). Key visuals and character designs have been released, along with the cast and staff, along with comments.
“Strawberry Elegy: A Messy, Lively Little Sister and an Unreasonable Brother” is based on the manga by Hirafumi and illustrated by Kamima Yagi, and is a love comedy about a cheeky gal and an argumentative virgin step-sibling.
The story begins when Takamura Kota, a young man with a somewhat argumentative personality, gets a younger sister named Aika, a tough gal who is the complete opposite of him, after his father remarries. Even after they start living together, Kota is fed up with Aika’s reckless habit of bringing other men home, but after a particular incident, she starts asking for more—hugs and more. And so the story unfolds. The newly released key visual features the heroine, Aika, smiling at the viewer while holding a strawberry. Character design by Watanabe Yoshihiro was also unveiled.
The cast for the main characters was also revealed, with Yurimoto Hana as Takamura Aika, Igarashi Yuta as Takamura Kota, Momosuke as Takamura Yoshiyuki, and Haruno Iroha as Takamura Misaki, Aika’s biological mother. Yurimoto and Igarashi have also provided comments. The staff was also announced, with comments from director Konno Yuta and series composition writer Kurosaki Eyo. The new TV anime “Strawberry Elegy: A Messy and Lively Little Sister and Her Unresolved Brother,” a new addition to the “Monk Slot” (AnimeFesta Original), will begin airing in January 2026.
The official website has also opened, so keep an eye out for future updates. Hana Yurimoto (voice of Aika Takamura): I hope you’ll enjoy watching these two opposites, each struggling with their own challenges, come together despite their various conflicts. I love the
Ending of episode 6. I ad-libbed something to Kota on the spot without any prior discussion, and I remember being delighted when Igarashi-san responded perfectly. I also personally recommend the episodes featuring Takahashi. He’s just… lovable! (laughs) Yuta Igarashi (voice of Kota Takamura): I’m Yuta Igarashi, who plays Kota Takamura.
I hope you’ll enjoy watching the relationship between the gal Aika and the slightly clumsy Kota change dramatically despite their conflicts. There are many highlights, but my personal favorite is episode 5, where Kota declares, “He’s my big brother!” Definitely check it out! Director: Konno Yuta I’d known about the original manga through online ads and read it online, but I never thought I’d be asked to direct the anime adaptation. As a fan of the manga, I stayed true to the original image as much as possible and captured the impression I had while reading it.
The voice actors were also fantastic. I was deeply moved by how the voices matched exactly what I imagined from the manga, if not better. I hope you enjoy that aspect too. Series Composition: Thanks to Kurosaki Eyo. I’m Kurosaki Eyo, in charge of the script and series composition.
While focusing on the content and flow of the original manga, this anime series also included original episodes with the author’s guidance. We hope you enjoy this series, which capitalizes on the delicate yet pop feel of the original while also taking on challenges specific to anime! The TV anime “Strawberry Elegy: A Messy and Lively Little Sister and Her Unresolved Brother” will begin airing in January 2026! Original story: Hirafumi Illustrations: Kamba Yagi
Cast Takamura Aika: Voiced by Yurimoto Hana Takamura Kota: Voiced by Igarashi Yuta Takamura Yoshiyuki: Voiced by Momosuke Takamura Misaki: Voiced by Haruno Iroha
Staff Director: Konno Hiyutaka Series Composition: Kurosaki Eyo Character Design: Watanabe Yoshihiro Color Design: Washimi Art Director: Yema Oyama Director of Photography: Hououin Shura Kura Editor: Shinkai Kouki Sound Director: Amakuwa Mikumo Music: Aiueoka Animation Production: studio HōKIBOSHI Production: Suiseisha Inc.
