The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Chikyu no Sakana Ponchan’s Kirio Fan Club manga has officially revealed its main cast, confirmed a television series format, and set a 2026 premiere. A teaser promotional video accompanied the announcement, generating excitement among fans.
Stellar Voice Cast Brings Characters to Life
Leading the vocal performances for the romantic comedy are three prominent voice actors. Nene Hieda will lend her voice to Aimi Miyoshi, one of the two main protagonists. Shion Wakayama is cast as Nami Sometani, Aimi’s friend and rival in love. Rounding out the main trio is Gakuto Kajiwara, who will voice Ken Kirio, the unassuming classmate who is the object of both girls’ affections.
Production Details and Creative Team
The anime series is slated to be produced by Satelight, a studio known for its work on various popular titles. At the helm as director is Sō Toyama. The script will be penned by Aya Satsuki, while Nami Hayashi is responsible for designing the characters, bringing Ponchan’s manga designs to the animated screen.
Diving into the “One-Way Love Comedy” Plot
Kirio Fan Club is described as a “one-way love comedy” that centers on the daily lives of high school students Aimi Miyoshi and Nami Sometani. Despite their friendship, the two girls share an intense, albeit unrequited, crush on their seemingly ordinary classmate, Kirio-kun. The manga, which concluded its serialization in August 2024, has gained a following for its humorous portrayal of their elaborate attempts to win Kirio’s attention and their internal monologues about their shared affection. The story delves into their emotional ups and downs as they navigate their feelings for a boy who often appears oblivious to their fervent admiration.
From Manga to Live-Action to Anime
Chikyu no Sakana Ponchan’s Kirio Fan Club manga was originally serialized online via Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha’s Comic Ruelle website from June 2022 to August 2024, culminating in six tankōbon volumes. Before its anime announcement, the series also received a live-action television drama adaptation, which aired from April to June 2025. The drama featured Mizuki Kayashima as Aimi Miyoshi and Riko as Nami Sometani, with Jiei Wakabayashi among the additional cast. The success across these different mediums highlights the manga’s broad appeal. The upcoming anime series marks another significant milestone for the franchise, expanding its reach to a global animated audience.
