The anime world just got turned upside down by a studio that specializes in turning the unexpected into the unforgettable. On June 17, 2026, CyberAgent finally pulled back the curtain on a mysterious project that had been circulating under the codename Project M for months, and the reveal has sent shockwaves through the anime community.
It was not a sequel. It was not a reboot. It was something entirely different.
Just Like Mona Lisa, the deeply personal queer coming-of-age manga by Tsumuji Yoshimura, is officially getting a TV anime adaptation. And the studio behind it? None other than SHAFT the same visionary studio that brought us Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the Monogatari series, and March Comes in Like a Lion.
What Is Just Like Mona Lisa About?
Imagine a world where every single person is born without a predetermined gender. Identity is not assigned at birth it is chosen, explored, and shaped through life itself. That is the fascinating premise of Tsumuji Yoshimura manga, which follows young people navigating the deeply personal journey of discovering who they truly are.
The manga has been praised for its emotional honesty, beautiful artwork, and thoughtful approach to themes of identity, self-expression, and human connection. It is the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
And now, SHAFT is bringing it to life with the full weight of their legendary visual storytelling.
Why SHAFT Is the Perfect Studio for This
If there is one studio in the entire anime industry that understands how to blend visual experimentation with deep emotional storytelling, it is SHAFT. Under the creative direction of Akiyuki Shinbo, the studio has built a reputation for turning unconventional stories into visual masterpieces.
Think about what they did with Madoka Magica. A show that looked like a cute magical girl series on the surface but was actually a psychological deconstruction of the genre. Their upcoming Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht Rising movie proves that SHAFT commitment to pushing boundaries is far from over. Or the Monogatari series, where SHAFT turned dialogue-heavy light novels into some of the most visually inventive television ever made.
Just Like Mona Lisa is exactly the kind of project that thrives under SHAFT hands. The manga visual style already carries a dreamlike, almost surreal quality that aligns perfectly with the studio signature aesthetic. The bold color choices, the experimental panel layouts, the way Yoshimura uses negative space these are elements that SHAFT can amplify into something truly breathtaking on screen.
The AnimagiC 2026 World Premiere
Here is where things get even more exciting. SHAFT and CyberAgent have confirmed that a special panel for the anime will take place at AnimagiC 2026 on August 1 in Mannheim, Germany. This panel is expected to feature the world premiere reveal of the anime first teaser visual, and potentially even a look at the staff lineup and cast.
For a story as visually driven as Just Like Mona Lisa, the first teaser image alone could be enough to break the internet. SHAFT does not do simple key visuals. They do art pieces.
Why This Announcement Matters More Than You Think
The summer 2026 anime season is already packed with massive titles like Bleach TYBW Part 4, Ghost in the Shell, and Mushoku Tensei Season 3. But the anime industry in 2026 is still dominated by isekai sequels and battle shonen adaptations. Do not get us wrong we love those too. But the fact that a major studio like SHAFT is betting on a quiet, introspective queer coming-of-age story in the middle of all that noise? That is genuinely significant.
This is not just another adaptation. This is a statement.
CyberAgent clearly recognized something special in Project M and kept it under wraps long enough to build genuine anticipation. The mystery codename, the deliberate tease, the eventual reveal it all points to a production team that understands the power of storytelling both on and off screen.
For fans of manga like Given, Bloom Into You, and My Androgynous Boyfriend, this announcement feels like validation. Queer stories are not niche anymore. They are central. And SHAFT, with their track record of genre-defying work, is the perfect vehicle to bring this particular story to its widest audience yet.
What We Know So Far
- Manga Author: Tsumuji Yoshimura
- Animation Studio: SHAFT
- Format: TV Anime Series
- Announced by: CyberAgent (formerly teased as Project M)
- World Premiere Panel: AnimagiC 2026, August 1, 2026 in Mannheim, Germany
- Genre: Coming-of-age, drama, slice of life
What we do not know yet includes the release window, the director, the voice cast, and whether this will be a single-cour or two-cour run. All of these details will likely be revealed at the AnimagiC panel or in the months following it.
What Do You Think?
Studio SHAFT adapting a queer coming-of-age manga like Just Like Mona Lisa is not what most people expected from them but is it exactly what the anime world needs right now? Are you excited to see how Shinbo and his team translate Yoshimura gorgeous art style into animation? Will this be SHAFT next masterpiece alongside Madoka Magica and Monogatari?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear whether you think this is the most exciting anime announcement of June 2026 or if something else has caught your eye.
