The popular light novel series, Always a Catch! (Nigashita Sakana wa Ōkikatta ga Tsuriageta Sakana ga Ōkisugita Ken) by Mayo Momoyo, is officially receiving a TV anime adaptation, slated to premiere in Spring 2026. The announcement has generated excitement among fans of the romantic comedy fantasy series.
Anime Adaptation Confirmed for Spring 2026
The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Always a Catch! is set to debut in Spring 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the series, bringing Mayo Momoyo’s captivating story and Itsuki Mito’s illustrations to the animated screen. Further details regarding the animation studio, cast, and specific premiere date are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
Delving into Always a Catch! Light Novel Series
Authored by Mayo Momoyo and illustrated by Itsuki Mito, Always a Catch! originated as a short story on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2020. A sequel series began serialization shortly after, in December 2020. Square Enix later acquired the series, publishing it under their SQEX Novel imprint starting in August 2021. As of December 2024, five volumes of the light novel have been released. The English versions are also being published by Square Enix.
Plot Summary and Characters
The series, classified as a fantasy romantic comedy, introduces readers to Maria Annovazzi, the fifth daughter of the Duke Annovazzi. Maria, nicknamed Mimi, was initially expected to inherit her family’s dukedom and, as a result, mastered their traditional martial arts style. However, the birth of her younger brother changes her path, leading her to seek a marriage partner abroad in the Kingdom of Rubini.
A comedic twist ensues when Maria is mistakenly informed that her engagement to Crown Prince Renato has been annulled, despite never having met him. Renato, the first prince of Rubini, had been tormented by a political engagement to Aida, whom his younger brother had feelings for. Using an incident as a pretext, he attempts to annul his engagement to Aida but accidentally informs Maria. Despite the initial mix-up, Renato soon becomes captivated by Maria’s free-spirited personality and her formidable martial arts skills after witnessing her take down a group of bandits. He eventually falls in love with her, proposes, and they become engaged, with Maria undergoing training to become crown princess. The series follows their journey as they overcome numerous challenges together, leading to their eventual marriage.
Manga Adaptation and Growing Popularity
In addition to the light novels, Always a Catch! also boasts a manga adaptation illustrated by Kaki Nagato. The manga began serialization on Square Enix’s Manga Up! service in April 2022 and has since been compiled into eight tankōbon volumes as of May 2025. The manga is also available in English on Square Enix’s Manga Up! Global platform. The consistent release of both light novels and manga volumes underscores the series’ growing popularity and its engaging storyline. The upcoming anime is expected to further broaden its appeal to a global audience.
