The official X/Twitter account for Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy announced today its primary cast, key staff, and a January 2026 premiere window for the upcoming TV anime. The series, an adaptation of Hirafumi and Yagi Shinba’s adult manga Ichiko Aika: Zatsu de Namaiki na Imōto to Warikirenai Ani, is set to debut on the AnimeFesta programming block.
January 2026 Premiere on AnimeFesta
Fans can anticipate the television adaptation of Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy to begin broadcasting in January 2026. The anime will air on the AnimeFesta TV block, known for its adaptations of adult or risque manga, often offering both a censored broadcast version and a “premium” uncensored version online. The announcement was accompanied by a new visual for the series.
Starring Voice Cast Revealed
The main voice cast for the Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy anime has been confirmed, featuring:
- Hana Yurimoto
- Yuta Ikarashi
- Momosuke
- Iroha Haruno
While specific character assignments for each voice actor were not detailed in the announcement, the manga centers around the step-siblings Kōta and Aika.
Production Details and Creative Team
The television anime is produced under the AnimeFesta banner, a programming block operated by WWWave Corporation. AnimeFesta has a history of adapting over 25 manga titles from its ComicFesta web manga service over the past six years. Suiseisha previously announced the anime adaptation in September, confirming that it would debut in 2026. Details regarding the full production staff, such as director and studio, were not explicitly provided in the latest update, beyond it being an AnimeFesta production.
Embracing a Complicated Step-Sibling Dynamic
Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy (with its original Japanese title Ichiko Aika: Zatsu de Namaiki na Imōto to Warikirenai Ani) tells the story of step-siblings Kōta and Aika. Following his father’s remarriage, Kōta’s initial impression of his new step-sister Aika as beautiful quickly dissipates. Aika is portrayed as a super sassy, foul-mouthed “gyaru” who becomes uncontrollable when their parents are not present, making Kōta’s life challenging. However, their complex relationship begins to evolve as Aika gradually warms to Kōta’s caring older-brother nature.
The full-color manga, written by Hirafumi and illustrated by Yagi Shinba, first launched digitally on CLLENN’s adult comic label DEDEDE via the Comic Cmoa service in November 2022. Its first three compiled volumes were digitally released in September 2025.
