Ayune Araragi’s romantic comedy manga, Isshiki-san wa Koi o Shiritai (Isshiki-san Wants to Know About Love), is officially being adapted into a TV anime series. The announcement confirms that the story of the 17-year-old genius police inspector Rinna Isshiki and her quest to understand love with a clumsy rookie detective, Meishi Rokutanda, will soon come to life on screen.
The Premise: A Genius Inspector’s Quest for Love
The series centers on Rinna Isshiki, a remarkable 17-year-old who has already achieved the rank of police inspector due to her exceptional intelligence. Despite her professional prowess, Rinna, often nicknamed “Steel-Faced Rinna” for her serious demeanor, is completely inexperienced in matters of the heart. Her stoic facade begins to crack, however, when she finds herself flustered and losing focus around Meishi Rokutanda, a kind yet somewhat clumsy rookie detective who works alongside her.
To unravel her perplexing feelings and understand the enigmatic concept of love, Rinna makes an unconventional decision: she proposes that she and Meishi become a “pretend couple.” This arrangement forms the core of the romantic comedy, exploring their awkward yet endearing journey as they navigate the complexities of first love while maintaining their professional lives.
Author Ayune Araragi Expresses Excitement
Manga creator Ayune Araragi shared her profound excitement regarding the anime adaptation. She described being in a “dreamlike state of happiness” at the prospect of seeing her characters move, talk, and engage in their “1000% sweet, romantic moments.” Araragi extended her gratitude to the dedicated staff involved in the anime’s production, noting how moved she was to see the characters come to life through their efforts. She also thanked fans for their continuous support, which she believes provided the characters with this “best stage imaginable.” To commemorate the announcement, Araragi released a special illustration featuring Rinna and Meishi.
Manga’s Publication Journey and Volumes
Isshiki-san wa Koi o Shiritai has an interesting publication history. It initially began under the title Rinna Keibu wa Kokyū ga Dekinai (Rinna the Inspector Can’t Breathe), serialized in Ichijinsha’s Monthly Comic Rex magazine from October 2016 to December 2017. This earlier version, also by Ayune Araragi, featured similar characters but was notably set in London.
The series was later relaunched as Isshiki-san wa Koi o Shiritai in Kadokawa Shoten’s Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine, beginning in June 2020. As of April 2025, eight collected volumes (tankōbon) of Isshiki-san wa Koi o Shiritai have been released in Japan. The ninth volume is scheduled to be published on October 23, 2025.
Anticipating the Anime Adaptation
While the announcement of the TV anime adaptation was made by Kadokawa on October 17, 2025, specific details regarding its release window, animation studio, and main staff have yet to be revealed. Fans are eagerly awaiting further information on how this beloved romantic comedy will translate from the pages of the manga to the animated screen.
