Avex Pictures Announces Television Anime Adaptation of Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito Set for April 2027 Premiere

Production conglomerate Avex Pictures has officially announced the greenlighting of a television anime adaptation based on the romantic comedy manga series Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito, internationally known as My Crush’s Crush. The announcement, made on Friday via the launch of the project’s official website and social media channels, has generated substantial interest within the global anime and manga communities. The initial reveal brought forth a comprehensive suite of production details, including the primary voice cast, core creative staff, a preliminary teaser visual, and an introductory promotional video. According to the current production schedule, the series is slated to make its broadcast debut in April 2027.

The source material originates from a creative collaboration between author Sekina Aoi, widely recognized for creating the popular romantic comedy and gaming-centric light novel series Gamers!, and illustrator Ryou Tsuzura. The manga adaptation began its serialization journey in Hakusensha’s seinen-targeted magazine Young Animal Zero in November 2022. Since its inception, the title has steadily built a dedicated readership, culminating in the publication of its seventh compiled tankobon volume on August 28. Furthermore, the intellectual property has recently expanded its reach into Western markets, following an announcement by publisher Yen Press on August 22 confirming the acquisition of the English-language licensing rights. Yen Press has scheduled the release of the inaugural English volume for February 23, 2027, strategically positioning the print debut just weeks ahead of the anime adaptation’s broadcast premiere.

Main Cast and Production Staff Lineup

The newly launched official website has confirmed prominent casting choices for the central trio of characters, pairing experienced industry veterans with rising voice acting talent. Gakuto Kajiwara, widely celebrated for his breakout role as Asta in Black Clover, has been cast as the male protagonist, Sora Akizuki. Joining him is Haruna Mikawa, recognized for her performance in Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi, who will voice Asahi Suzukaze. Rounding out the primary cast is Nene Hieda, known for her work on Summer Pockets, who has been selected to portray Miya Fuwa. The casting choices reflect a deliberate effort to balance comedic timing with the nuanced emotional beats characteristic of contemporary romantic comedy narratives.

Behind the scenes, Avex Pictures has assembled an experienced creative team anchored by studio Project No.9 to handle the animation production. Directing the series is Kazuomi Koga, whose previous credits include steering the popular romantic comedy Kanojo, Okarishimasu (Rent-A-Girlfriend). The intricate narrative structure and script adaptation have been entrusted to Yoriko Tomita, an accomplished series composition writer whose past notable works include the hit romantic comedy Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-Up Darling).

Visual aesthetics and character translation from page to screen are being overseen by Takayuki Noguchi, appointed as the character designer. Noguchi’s portfolio features similar slice-of-life and romance titles, most notably Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten). Additionally, the musical landscape of the series will be composed by Rina Tayama, whose scoring background includes upcoming and established projects such as Silent Witch. The convergence of this specific staff—all of whom boast substantial experience within the romantic comedy and slice-of-life genres—suggests a high degree of fidelity and production polish for the upcoming adaptation.

Chronological Timeline of the Project

The developmental trajectory of Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito illustrates the accelerated path from a niche publication to a mainstream multimedia franchise. The timeline of key milestones outlines the steady growth of the property:

• November 2022: Author Sekina Aoi and illustrator Ryou Tsuzura launch the manga serialization of Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito in Hakusensha’s Young Animal Zero magazine.
• August 28: Hakusensha publishes the seventh compiled volume of the manga series in Japan, marking a significant milestone in sustained domestic popularity.
• August 22: North American publisher Yen Press formally announces the acquisition of the English-language license for the manga, setting a localized print release date.
• Friday: Avex Pictures officially unveils the television anime adaptation, launching the project website, teaser visual, teaser promotional video, primary cast list, and staff members.
• February 23, 2027: Yen Press is scheduled to release the first volume of the English-language manga edition.
• April 2027: The television anime series is officially scheduled to premiere on Japanese broadcast networks and streaming platforms.

Contextual Background and Narrative Foundations

To understand the anticipation surrounding the Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito anime adaptation, industry analysts often point to the proven track record of author Sekina Aoi. Aoi established a formidable reputation within the light novel and manga spheres through previous works that deftly balance ensemble character dynamics, misunderstandings, and romantic comedy tropes. Works such as Gamers! demonstrated Aoi’s affinity for writing intricate, often humorous interpersonal webs where characters navigate overlapping affection and misdirected romantic interests. This thematic preoccupation is deeply embedded in the premise of Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito, which translates conceptually to "The Person Liked by the Person I Like."

The manga’s home publication, Young Animal Zero, is known for hosting diverse Seinen titles that cater to mature youth demographics, frequently featuring nuanced character studies and relatable emotional conflicts. The synergy between Aoi’s writing style and Tsuzura’s clean, expressive art style has allowed the manga to carve out a distinct identity amidst a crowded romantic comedy market. The decision by Avex Pictures to greenlight an anime adaptation underscores a broader industry trend wherein successful mid-tier manga series are identified early and developed into multimedia properties to maximize cross-media synergy with international print releases.

Analysis of Industry Implications and Market Strategy

The announcement of the anime adaptation in tandem with international licensing efforts highlights a coordinated commercial strategy between Japanese publishers, production committees, and overseas distributors. By timing the English manga release for February 2027—just two months prior to the April 2027 anime premiere—Yen Press and Hakusensha have established a promotional runway designed to capture international audiences at the peak of their engagement. This synchronization minimizes the traditional lag time that previously characterized the translation pipeline between Japanese domestic releases and global adaptations.

Furthermore, the involvement of studio Project No.9 indicates a calculated investment in visual consistency and character appeal. Project No.9 has developed a specialized portfolio in adapting light novels and romantic comedy manga, equipping the studio with the institutional knowledge required to translate dialogue-heavy, emotional narratives into compelling animation. The presence of director Kazuomi Koga and series composition writer Yoriko Tomita further mitigates creative risks, as both individuals possess extensive credentials in delivering commercially successful adaptations within the exact same sub-genre.

As the production progresses toward its April 2027 debut date, additional promotional campaigns are expected to roll out, including full-length theatrical trailers, key visual updates, theme song artist announcements, and broader distribution partnership details. For both established readers of the manga and prospective viewers entering the franchise through the upcoming English print editions, the adaptation represents one of the more anticipated romantic comedy projects scheduled for the late 2020s anime calendar.

Official media channels, including the newly established project website at bokusuki.com and the official X (formerly Twitter) account @bokusuki_PR, will serve as the primary conduits for ongoing updates regarding the production schedule, broadcasting networks, and promotional events as the premiere date approaches.