Sen Yoshimura's 'Sex: About Mona Lisa' Manga Series Gets Anime Adaptation by Studio Shaft
With its touching story centered on fine arts and the search for identity, the manga series "Sex: About Mona Lisa" (originally "Sex: 'Mona Lisa' no Kimi e.") is officially receiving a television anime adaptation. Publisher KADOKAWA in Japan and the production team announced that the animation will be handled by the renowned studio Shaft. The announcement was made official with the new issue of "Monthly Shonen Gangan" magazine, released on March 28, 2025, in Japan.
The series' author and illustrator, Sen Yoshimura, is known for previous works such as "Shimekiri Kanojo" and "Kimi no Hikari". Yoshimura's delicate drawings and emotional depth are evident in this new work. The manga first began serialization in "Monthly Shonen Gangan" in 2022 and quickly gained popularity among Japanese readers. The story focuses on the relationship between Miyabi, a high school student interested in traditional Japanese painting, and Rin, a mysterious model struggling with societal norms regarding gender identity. Its plot combines themes of identity, art, and love, bringing a fresh perspective to modern youth drama.
The studio for the anime adaptation, Shaft, is especially known for iconic works such as the "Bakemonogatari" series, "Madoka Magica", and "Nisekoi". The studio's distinctive visual style, experimental camera angles, and abstract symbolism seem perfectly suited to Yoshimura's delicate drawings and the story's psychological depth. Shaft, which is currently known for projects like the airing "The Quintessential Quintuplets" and the upcoming "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian", aims to prove its quality with this new adaptation. The release date and cast have not yet been announced, but the production is expected to air sometime in 2026.
This announcement is a great source of excitement for readers, especially those wanting to see an animated adaptation of a work that features LGBTQ+ themes and takes a bold step in the mainstream shonen/manga world. "Sex: About Mona Lisa" is not just a love story; it is a work that questions gender norms and emphasizes the transformative power of art. Fans are eagerly awaiting how Shaft's unconventional narrative style will handle this subject. In the coming months, new visuals and trailers are expected from the studio and production team, and fans have already started sharing on social media. Since the manga in "Monthly Shonen Gangan" is still ongoing, it is considered certain that the anime adaptation will further increase the series' popularity.
