Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Anime, manga, and games, with a take · A Yukimedia publication

← all stories

限界突破Lover

The series has announced a musical stage play adaptation running December 6-16 at the Nippon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo, recasting the lead couple Minami and Chiyoko as a male couple with two actors double-cast in each role. A website opened August 31 to announce the production.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated 3d ago

The series continues to expand across media, most recently with a musical stage play announced for December 6-16 at the Nippon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo. The production reinterprets the source material by recasting the lead couple Minami and Chiyoko as a male couple, with two actors double-cast in each role. A dedicated website opened August 31 to publicize the show, marking another adaptation in a history that has seen multiple versions since the 1980s.

The play follows a pattern of adaptations that have repeatedly reworked the original story, which centers on a high school couple. The musical's gender-swapped casting is the most recent example of the series being reinvented for a new format, building on prior stage and screen versions that have kept the property in circulation over several decades.

Key facts

Musical stage play adaptation
The series is getting a musical stage play running December 6-16 at the Nippon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo. ↗
Recast as male couple
The musical recasts the lead couple Minami and Chiyoko as a male couple, with two actors double-cast in each role. ↗
Announcement website
A website opened August 31 to announce the musical production. ↗
Adaptation history
The manga has been adapted multiple times since the 1980s. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
music_video · 2026-08-29 · 2026-08-29

Connections

Voice cast of
t ma

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/lover. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

2d ago

Black Clover Anime Season 2 Sets October 3 Debut With ONE OR EIGHT Ending Theme

The second season of the Black Clover anime debuts October 3 on TV Tokyo and its affiliates at 11:00 p.m. ONE OR EIGHT performs the ending theme "Yellow Brick Road," and WANIMA performs the opening theme "Kienai Riyu." Ayataka Tanemura, who directed the Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King film, directs the season. Studio Pierrot returns to animate. Crunchyroll previews the season in U.S. theaters on September 21 and streams it as it airs.

6d ago

Minami's Lover Manga Gets Musical Stage Play in December

Shungiku Uchida's Minami's Lover manga is getting a musical stage play adaptation that runs December 6-16 at the Nippon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo. The musical recasts the lead couple Minami and Chiyoko as a male couple, with two actors double-cast in each role. A website opened August 31 to announce the production.

6d ago

Princess Lover! Online Lottery Opens at Kujibikido With No Losing Draws

KADOKAWA's online lottery service Kujibikido has added a Princess Lover! lottery featuring original goods. Sales begin September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM, priced at 770 yen per draw. The lineup includes an extra-large cloth poster, wall scrolls, acrylic panels, keychains, and can badges. A repost campaign on X offers three winners a full set of can badges, and purchases of 10-draw sets include a random mini bromide.

6d ago

Crunchyroll Anime Nights to Screen Black Clover Season 2 and Four More on September 21

Crunchyroll announced Tuesday that its Anime Nights theatrical program will screen five fall anime on September 21 ahead of their October premieres. The one-night event at 7 p.m. local time in select U.S. and Canada theaters will show Black Clover Season 2, The Vermilion Mask, Overgeared, Firefly Wedding, and PSYREN with Japanese audio and English subtitles. Tickets are on sale now. Anime Nights is a monthly program held on the third Monday of each month across more than 280 theaters, with participating chains including AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Harkins Theatres, Cineplex, and Landmark Cinemas. The September event follows the program's August 17 screening of Your Letter. Black Clover Season 2 will debut on TV Tokyo in October, with Ayataka Tanemura returning to direct and PIERROT FILMS handling animation. The original Black Clover anime ended in March 2021 with its 170th episode. The other four titles premiere through October: Overgeared on October 2, Firefly Wedding on October 9 on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, The Vermilion Mask in October with two parts, and PSYREN in October.

Sep 1

Pokémon: Wild Card Anime Film Announced for 2027

The Pokémon Company announced on August 31 a new anime film titled Pokémon: Wild Card, scheduled to open in 2027. The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. CloverWorks is handling animation production, with Katsuhiko Kitada directing. Akemi Hayashi is designing the characters, and Story Inc. is producing the film. The story follows a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his partner Mimikyu, as the player strives to become a champion. The film is the 24th anime film in the franchise and the first since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which opened in Japan in December 2020. The teaser trailer shows the protagonist wearing a yellow hoodie reminiscent of Mimikyu, with the Pokémon appearing alongside. The Pokémon Company describes the film as capturing the competitive spirit of Pokémon Trainers worldwide. The release is described as beginning in 2027, with no specific date or distribution details announced yet.

Aug 29

2.5D Singer TØ-MA Drops Second Single, Launches VTuber Activity

TØ-MA, a 2.5D singer active since February 2026, released her second single "Genkai Toppa Lover" for distribution. The upbeat rock track features music by shun÷1, bass from Nishitsuki Reion, and drum arrangement by Matenrou Opera's Hibiki. The release marks the official start of her VTuber activities, with live shows announced at Shibuya REX and BugLug's Bugsami 2026 Tokyo.

Aug 21

FLINT BASE Adds MAPPA and Production I.G as Partners, Opens Second Cohort Recruiting

FLINT BASE, the animation studio established by CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures, is strengthening its management structure and preparing to recruit a second cohort of trainees. On August 21, 2026, CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures announced that MAPPA and Production I.G will join as partner studios. CloverWorks will continue to handle day-to-day operations, and the cooperative arrangement with A-1 Pictures will remain in place. The expanded partner network is intended to reinforce the studio's training system and support the development of animators. In terms of hiring, FLINT BASE plans to begin recruiting new graduates for its second cohort, who will join in April 2027, starting in September 2026. Application guidelines and other details are expected to be posted sequentially on the FLINT BASE official website. The announcement was published simultaneously on the A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks official news pages, both dated August 21, 2026.

Aug 20

Grotesqqque Film Trailer Previews A(E)liens Segment

Aniplex began streaming a trailer for the A(E)liens story segment of Atsushi Nishigori's original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque. The film opens in Japan on November 6. It premiered at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. The omnibus comprises three stories with different worldviews, and the trailer spotlights the first segment.

Aug 18

Fall 2026 Sequels: Catch Up on Apothecary Diaries, Blue Box, Black Clover

Anime Anime rounds up five fall 2026 sequel series, including The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Blue Box Season 2, and Black Clover 2nd Season, with recaps of prior seasons to help viewers catch up before new episodes air in October. The article highlights key plot points and new cast details for each show.

Aug 17

There's No Freaking Way Manga's First Part Ends, Second Part Set for Early 2027

The first part of Musshu's manga adaptation of There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless... ended on July 31 on Shueisha's Young Jump + platform. Eru Kudō will draw the second part, titled Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Naijan, Muri Muri! Muri Janakatta!? ~Second Season, launching in January or February 2027. The 10th compiled volume ships in December, with the final volume in 2027.

Aug 14

CloverPit Launches on Switch 2, PS5, Switch, and PS4

Future Friends Games released the Switch 2, PS5, Switch, and PS4 versions of CloverPit today, August 13, 2026. The game, developed by Panik Arcade, is a roguelite slot machine title where players are trapped in a rusty cell and must spin a five-reel slot to earn money and repay a debt before a deadline. The new console versions include all previously distributed update content, including the Hardmode Update, which doubles the required repayment amount. The Switch 2 version supports mouse operation and performance improvements, while the PS5 and PS4 versions feature light effects on DualSense and DualShock controllers. The game has sold over 1 million copies and has more than 5 million players across its existing platforms, which include PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, iOS, and Android. It was originally released on Steam on September 27, 2025, where it holds a "Very Positive" rating based on about 24,000 user reviews, with 90% recommending it. The price for the new console versions is 1,200 yen (tax included).

Aug 9

CloverPit Slots Onto PS5, PS4, Switch, and Switch 2 on August 13

Future Friends Games and Panik Arcade will release the slot roguelite CloverPit on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on August 13. The console versions include all post-launch updates, and the DLC Unholy Fusion launches the same day. The Switch 2 version supports mouse controls.

Jul 27

CloverWorks' Omnibus Anime Film Grotesqqque Casts Akio Ōtsuka

CloverWorks and director Atsushi Nishigori announced on July 27 that Akio Ōtsuka has joined the cast of the original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque. Ōtsuka will voice the Space Agency Bureau Director in the film's first story, "A(E)liens." The film is set to open in Japan on November 6, 2026, and will have its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, running from July 16 to August 2. Grotesqqque consists of three distinct stories: "A(E)liens," "Yoroshiku★Girl," and "Nocturne: Nuit Grotesque." The staff also revealed the extensive list of 35 musical acts contributing to the film, with the band METALVERSE performing the opening theme "Shoot Shoot Shoot" and Haoto performing the ending theme. Nishigori, known for directing The IDOLM@STER and DARLING in the FRANXX, is directing, writing the screenplay, and designing the characters. The film is produced by CloverWorks and comes from JOEN, a company jointly established by Aniplex, CloverWorks, Wit Studio, and Shueisha.

Jul 7

Black Clover Season 2 Premiere Delivers on Tabata's Wish for Extra Cool Battles

At Anime Expo 2026, the world saw the first episode of Black Clover Season 2, directed by Ayataka Tanemura. Tanemura, who previously worked on the first season and directed the film Sword of the Wizard King, took over from Tatsuya Yoshihara. Author Yūki Tabata told Tanemura to make the battles extra cool, and the premiere includes a scene not in the manga. The episode jumps straight from the season one finale, with Asta training under Nacht Faust.

Jul 7

LoveR Kiss Endless Memories Review Finds Skill in Simplicity

A play report on Inside praises the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of LoveR Kiss Endless Memories, released April 30, 2026, for its refined romance simulation. The game's 'topic jewel' conversation system, which stacks matching topics to boost tension, adds strategic depth without becoming a chore. The review notes the series' evolution from the original LoveR through LoveR Kiss, culminating in this edition that includes nearly all DLC and new features. The timing of the summer setting aligning with real-world summer is also highlighted.

Jul 5

Black Clover Season 2 Trailer Reveals WANIMA Opening Theme

The staff of the second season of the Black Clover anime revealed a new promotional video on Sunday, July 5, 2026, which previews the opening theme song by rock band WANIMA. The video debuted at Anime Expo 2026 on Saturday, July 4, where the first episode of the new season also had its world premiere. The opening song is titled "Kienai Riyuu" (The Reason That Won't Disappear). The second season will debut on TV Tokyo in October 2026. Ayataka Tanemura, who directed episodes 153-170 of the original Black Clover anime and the 2023 film Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, will direct the new season. Studio Pierrot returns to animate the season. Crunchyroll will stream the anime. The Black Clover anime originally aired 170 episodes from October 2017 to March 2021. The manga, created by Yuki Tabata, launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015 and concluded on May 1, 2024, after transferring to Jump GIGA in 2023.

Jul 5

CloverWorks' Grotesqqque Film Sets November 6 Release, Reveals Trailer

CloverWorks announced during its Anime Expo panel on July 4 that the original anime film Grotesqqque, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in Japanese theaters on November 6. The film is an omnibus of three stories with distinct worldviews: "Aeliens," "4649 Girl" (pronounced "Yoroshiku Shojo"), and "Nocturne: Kono Grotesque na Yoru ni." Nishigori directs, writes the screenplay, and designs the characters. The opening theme is "Shoot Shoot Shoot" by the band METALVERSE. A trailer and key visual were released. The cast includes Kana Ichinose, Gen Hoshino, Chika Anzai, Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Miyu Tomita, Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Sara Minami, and four members of Nogizaka46: Nagi Inoue, Aruno Nakanishi, Miku Ichinose, and Nao Tomisato. The film is produced by CloverWorks and comes from JOEN, the company jointly established by Aniplex, CloverWorks, Wit Studio, and Shueisha. The film will make its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, running from July 16 to August 2.

Jul 4

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All Anime Debuts in January 2027

The anime adaptation of Sumiko Arai's manga The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All will premiere in January 2027, as revealed in a teaser trailer unveiled at Anime Expo 2026. CloverWorks is producing the series, with Masashi Ishihama directing. The cast includes Akari Kitō as Aya Ōsawa and Mariya Ise as Mitsuki Koga. Rino Yamazaki handles series composition, and Kanna Hirayama is the character designer. The opening theme song is the 1991 Nirvana track "Breed." Crunchyroll will stream the anime. The manga follows high schooler Aya, who develops a crush on a cool CD shop employee, unaware that the employee is actually her quiet female classmate Mitsuki. Arai began the manga on Twitter in April 2022 before moving to pixiv Comic in April 2023. Kadokawa Shoten publishes the print volumes, with the fourth volume released on February 19. The series ranked second on the 2024 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook for top manga for female readers and second on the 23rd Da Vinci "Book of the Year" list.

Jun 22

Three Gundam Manga Volumes Set for June 26 Release

Dengeki Hobby Web reports that Mobile Suit Moon Gundam Vol. 16, Mobile Suit Gundam Eight Vol. 2, and Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Zeolover Vol. 3 will all be released on June 26, 2026. Pre-orders are open on Amazon.co.jp for both Kindle and print editions.

Jun 17

35 Artists Join Music for Atsushi Nishigori's Animated Film GROTESQQQUE

The original animated film GROTESQQQUE, directed by Atsushi Nishigori and produced by CloverWorks, has announced that 35 artists will contribute music to the project. The lineup includes ASCA, Reol, Otoha-otoha-, Iori Noguchi (=LOVE), TAKU INOUE, Junna, and 29 others, spanning singer-songwriters, Vocaloid producers, idols, bands, and composers. The film is scheduled for release in 2026 and consists of three distinct stories: Ellians, about an alien girl and a civil servant searching for friends; Yoroshiku Shojo, a battle royale among girls called Gyaru P; and Nocturne ~Kono Grotesque na Yoru ni~, following a pure-blood vampire and three infected survivors traveling through a devastated world. The cast includes Tomoka Anzai, Kana Ichinose, Miku Ichinose (Nogizaka46), Nao Inoue (Nogizaka46), Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Nao Tomita, Aruno Nakanishi (Nogizaka46), Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Gen Hoshino, and Sara Minami. Details on how the 35 artists will participate will be announced from July onward.

Jun 16

Hello Kitty's Sweets Market Chocolate Lovers Event Tours Japan From June 17

Sanrio announced a large shopping event titled "HELLO KITTY'S SWEETS MARKET -Chocolate lovers-" where Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Chococat appear in chocolate-themed costumes. The event starts at Ginza Mitsukoshi on June 17, 2026, and tours department stores nationwide through January 2027, offering limited-edition merchandise including plushies, keychains, apparel, and collaboration food items.

Jun 15

Black Clover Season 2 Director Announced, October TV Debut Set

TV Tokyo announced on Monday that the second season of the Black Clover anime, based on Yūki Tabata's manga, will premiere in October 2026. Ayataka Tanemura, who directed episodes 153-170 of the first season and the 2023 film Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, will return as director. Studio Pierrot will animate the new season, and Crunchyroll will stream it. Tanemura and Asta voice actor Gakuto Kajiwara will appear at a panel at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, where a premiere screening of the first episode is also planned. A 10-minute recap video of the first season, previously shown at the Black Clover Exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka, has been released on YouTube. The first Black Clover anime ran for 170 episodes from October 2017 to March 2021. The manga concluded in Jump GIGA in May 2026 after beginning serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015.

Jun 10

CloverWorks' Grotesqqque Film Reveals 14 Cast Members

CloverWorks revealed the cast and characters for its original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque on Saturday. The 14-person cast includes Kana Ichinose, Maaya Uchida, Rie Kugimiya, and four members of Nogizaka46. The film, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in 2026 and comprises three stories with different worldviews.

Jun 1

Hello Kitty Sweets Market Chocolate Tour Announced Through January 2027

Sanrio announced the large shopping event 'HELLO KITTY'S SWEETS MARKET -Chocolate lovers-' touring department stores nationwide from June 17, 2026, at Ginza Mitsukoshi through January 2027. The event features chocolate-themed limited goods including plush toys, keychains, and apparel centered on Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. Pompompurin currently leads the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking interim results.

May 31

CloverWorks Official Goods to Release at WIND BREAKER × RED° TOKYO TOWER Event

CloverWorks announced on March 19, 2026, that it will sell official studio merchandise at the TV anime WIND BREAKER × RED° TOKYO TOWER collaboration event. The lineup includes items featuring cover illustrations of the after-recording script, created by director Toshifumi Akai and character designer/chief animation director Taishi Kawakami. Products include script-style notebooks and can badges, among other items that use artwork from the production studio. The event runs from April 3 to May 6, 2026, at RED° TOKYO TOWER on the 5th floor. A purchase bonus offers a random postcard from eight designs for every 2,200 yen spent on new WIND BREAKER merchandise during the period. After-event online sales are planned, with details to be announced later.

May 31

CloverWorks POP UP SHOP 2026 Tour Announced for Three Cities

CloverWorks announced a regional tour of its POP UP SHOP 2026 event, starting January 16 in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, followed by Nagoya in February and Kochi in March. The pop-up shops will sell merchandise for series including My Dress-Up Darling, Wind Breaker, Bocchi the Rock!, Spy × Family, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and others. Limited quantities of past release goods and books will also be available. Each venue will display reproduction artwork and production materials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the studio's animation process. The tour begins at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (January 16 to February 4), moves to TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Noritake in Nagoya (February 13 to March 2), and ends at Kochi Tsutaya Books (March 27 to April 13). Stock and exhibits may vary by location. The announcement was made on January 9, 2026.

May 30

New Evangelion Series Announced With NieR Creator Yoko Taro Writing

A new Neon Genesis Evangelion television series is in development, with NieR creator Yoko Taro attached as series composer and scriptwriter. Studio Khara announced the project during the final program of the Evangelion:30+ 30th Anniversary of Evangelion event over the weekend. The series will be co-produced with CloverWorks, known for Spy x Family. Story details, release timing, and cast have not been revealed. Kazuya Tsurumaki, a longtime Evangelion collaborator and director of FLCL, will direct alongside Toko Yatabe, who has worked extensively within the franchise. Keiichi Okabe, another key NieR creative voice, will compose the music. Original Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno is not listed among the lead creative credits. The announcement positions the project as the franchise's first completely new TV installment in years, fueled by the creative team's well-regarded profiles for atmosphere and story crafting.

May 30

CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures Open New Animation Studio FLINT BASE in April 2026

CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures announced on November 4, 2025, that they will open a new animation studio called FLINT BASE in April 2026. The studio is a joint venture between the two Aniplex subsidiaries, backed by the Sony Group. FLINT BASE is described as a new challenge in animation production, focused on drawing and animator work. The companies stated that the studio aims to serve as an entry point for students aspiring to become animators. They noted that even with ongoing digital innovation, animation still requires the work of many animators. Both CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures will maintain their existing in-house animation teams and training systems, which will continue as the core of each studio. FLINT BASE will operate as a separate entity. The announcement was accompanied by the launch of a recruitment drive for new graduates in 2026, specifically for the role of animator at FLINT BASE. Applications are open until November 28, 2025. The official FLINT BASE website provides further details.

May 30

Atsushi Nishigori and CloverWorks' Grotesqqque Anime Film Reveals 14 Cast Members

The original anime film project "Grotesqqque" by director Atsushi Nishigori and studio CloverWorks announced its cast on May 30, 2026. The 14-member lineup includes voice actors, actors, idols, and musical artists: Chika Anzai, Kana Ichinose, Miku Ichinose (Nogizaka46), Nagi Inoue (Nogizaka46), Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Nao Tomisato (Nogizaka46), Miyu Tomita, Aruno Nakanishi (Nogizaka46), Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Gen Hoshino, and Sara Minami. Specific character assignments were not disclosed. The film is scheduled for a 2026 theatrical release and consists of three parts with distinct worldviews: "ÆLIENS," "4649GIRL," and "NOCTURN: EN CETTE NUIT GROTESQUE." Nishigori handles direction, screenplay, and original character designs. CloverWorks produces the film, which is the first project from JOEN, a creative partnership formed in 2022 by CloverWorks, WIT Studio, Shueisha, and Aniplex. Distribution is handled by ANIMEC.

May 29

Fanatical Launches Into Games Charity Bundle 2026 Featuring 11 Titles

Fanatical has released the Into Games Charity Bundle 2026, a set of 11 PC game keys priced at 2,630 yen. The bundle includes CloverPit, Mouthwashing, Monument Valley 3, and eight other titles that hold Very Positive or Overwhelmingly Positive Steam reviews. The sale runs until June 25.

May 29

WIND BREAKER Pop-Up Shop Opens at Kinokuniya Shinjuku in June

CloverWorks announced a pop-up shop for the TV anime WIND BREAKER at Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store from June 3 to June 16, 2026. The venue will sell existing goods, display reproduction original drawings, and offer a random sticker bonus for purchases of 2,200 yen or more.

May 28

Takeshobo to Release Three Manga Digitally in English

Publisher Takeshobo announced three manga titles for digital English release: Melt in Your Color by hitomi on May 29, My Father's Lover by Chil Shiomi on June 5, and Don't Stop Even If I Say So by Tamaji Ura in June 2026. The titles will be available on platforms including Renta!, MangaPlaza, Coolmic, BookWalker, and Rakuten Kobo.

May 25

Black Butler Pop-Up Shop Opens at Laforet Harajuku in Late May

CloverWorks announced a pop-up shop for the TV anime Black Butler - Boarding School Arc and Black Butler - Green Witch Arc, running from May 29 to June 10, 2026, at SHED By_ACG on the 5th floor of Laforet Harajuku. The shop will sell existing goods and display original artwork. Purchase bonuses include random illustration cards and a one-day-only mini shikishi on June 5.