"My Stepmother and Stepsister Who Don't Bully Me" to be made into a TV anime

It has been announced that Otsuji's popular manga "My Stepmother and Stepsister Don't Bully Me" (Ichijinsha) will be adapted into a TV anime and broadcast in 2026. After her mother's death, a young girl is taken in by a prestigious family. Although she is prepared for the cruel treatment she will receive as the child of a concubine, she is confused by the overly kind affection of her stepmother and stepsister and gradually opens up to them... This "heartwarming gap comedy" is a much-talked-about work that has sold over 850,000 copies in total. It has also been announced that voice actress Kujira will play Kozo Teru, the stepmother of the main character Nakamura Yoshiji.

Kujira said, "The long-awaited anime adaptation has finally been decided (for me! Oh, I'm sure everyone else is too!!)! I'll be the voice of Kozo Teru, a very condescending and evil-looking character. He's Teru's scary but kind-hearted mother, Mummy. I'm looking forward to playing the role - so please look forward to it! I'm sure it'll be funny and moving!! It's really heartwarming!"

The author, Otsuji, commented, "A four-page manga that was born on social media has become an anime thanks to all of you who continue to read it! Thank you so much for developing 'Ibikona' to this point! The resolution of the animation staff's work is incredibly high, and while respecting the momentum and tempo of the original, they have expressed the depth of the story and the character's character. I sincerely hope that the anime 'My Stepmother and Stepsister Will Not Bully Me' will be loved by many people!"

The anime will be directed by Keisuke Inoue, with series composition by Nanami Hoshino and character design by Mutsumi Sasaki, and will be produced by NEWON.

A teaser visual has been released, depicting the protagonist, Miji, who is being adopted by the prestigious Kozo family, imagining his mother and sister-in-law as likely to bully him. Behind Miji, who looks anxious, are the mother of the Kozo family, Teru, the eldest daughter, Marika, and the second daughter, Arisa. A promotional video announcing the anime adaptation has also been released on YouTube.

"My Stepmother and Stepsister Don't Bully Me" is a manga currently being serialized on the manga site "Comic POOL". The latest volume 8 will be released on July 25th.

◇Full comment from Kujira, who plays Teru Kozo

The genre is... maybe... a comedy/gag? A heartwarming comedy? ...The contrast is amazing too. A Cinderella story about a brave illegitimate child, Yoshiji, who is taken in by the main family, where he is bullied by his stepmother and sister-in-law, who have scary, evil faces, but then a prince appears... Or a story about a man who manages to rebuild the family, which had fallen into ruin, despite being bullied (those who know this story are from the Showa era)... That's what most people would think, right... but in this story, the main character, Yoshiji, is doted on by his stepmother and sister-in-law, who have really evil faces, and enjoys his youth to the fullest (a very Showa era expression), so I'll call it a heartwarming comedy of contrasts! Sorry for the long introduction! At last, the long-awaited (for me! Oh, I'm sure you all are too!!) anime adaptation has been decided!! I've been tasked with providing the voice for the extremely condescending and evil-faced Kozo Teru, who is scary but kind-hearted - Teru's mother Mummy. I'm looking forward to playing the role. Apparently there aren't any villains in this story (probably). However, although everyone is a good person, the characters who appear are all very eccentric and intense. Sounds fun, doesn't it?! I'm looking forward to seeing how the brave protagonist, Biji, grows into a wonderful lady amidst a cast of oddballs. Everyone, please look forward to it! I'm sure it'll be entertaining and moving!! And it's heartwarming after all!!