It has been announced that the TV anime "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All," based on the popular manga by Sumiko Arai, will begin airing in January 2027. It was also announced that the opening theme will be "Breed," a famous song by the American band Nirvana, and a teaser PV featuring the song's intro has been released on YouTube. This marks the first time the song has been officially used in a Japanese video production. A video of an interview with Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl, has also been released on YouTube, with the original author, Arai, acting as the interviewer.
Masashi Ishihama will direct, Rino Yamazaki will handle series composition, and Kanna Hirayama will be in charge of character design. CloverWorks will produce the animation. It was also announced that Mariya Ise and Akari Kito will play the role of Aya Osawa.
"The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All" tells the story of Aya Osawa, a high school girl who loves Western rock music, and how she becomes interested in a man dressed in black who works at a CD shop. However, it turns out that this man is someone she never expected to meet, attending the same school. The manga has become a hot topic, winning first place in the web manga category of the "Next Manga Award 2023" and second place in the women's category of "This Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2024" (Takarajimasha). The author, Arai, has over 2 million followers on social media, and the comic has sold over 1.6 million copies worldwide.
◇Comment from the original author, Sumiko Arai
Because this manga revolves around music from the very first episode, I am truly honored that it has been produced in an animated form that allows people to experience it through sound as well. I can't wait for everyone to see "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All" reborn as an anime! Please watch over Mitsuki and Aya along with the rock music they both love.
◇Comment from series composition writer Rino Yamazaki
As a fan, I am incredibly honored to be involved in a project that I have always hoped would be adapted into an anime. The "music" that connects two people who would otherwise never cross paths is one of the essential charms of this work. I hope you will be able to feel that charm in the anime as well. Please look forward to the broadcast!
◇Comment from Mariya Ise, who plays the role of Mizuki Koga
Every time her heart wavers, tiny stars twinkle around her eyes... I loved that expression in the original work. The world I imagined with my ears in the drama CD comes vividly to life before my eyes in the anime, and I feel so happy to be able to play Mizuki again. Please look forward to the broadcast!
◇Comment from Akari Kito, who plays the role of Aya Osawa
I had the opportunity to voice Aya in a drama CD a few years ago, and I'm so happy to be able to continue in that role! Aya is a bright and relatable high school girl, but she also loves cool Western music and has a pure heart, so I think she's a really cute character. I'll do my best to bring out Aya's charm in the anime as well!
