The rom-com Japanese manga “可愛いだけじゃない式守さん,” also known as “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” among English readers, has widely grown in popularity. Translated to English by Kodansha USA and originally launched on the Japanese Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app and website in 2019, people across the globe have fallen for the high school sweethearts Shikimori and her accident-prone boyfriend Izumi.
In recent months, the Shikimori manga series fanbase received word about the adaptation of their favorite manga to a televised anime series. And, of course, fans wait in excitement for its release date. Until then, though, Shikimori readers can get a sneak peek of the trailer on YouTube with voice actor Saori Onishi speaking the role of Shikimori and Shuichiro Umeda playing the part of Izumi.
The anime world has been buzzing since the announcement, and many fans of the popular manga look forward to its anime release. Read on and learn more about this popular manga series turned anime, its release date, where you can tune in and watch, and digest some character bios from the celebrated manga series.
Release Date of the Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie anime
The anime adaptation of “Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie” is set for release in April 2022. Popularized as a Twitter manga and later serialized on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket website for roughly two years, the manga appeals to many anime fans, especially among “Nagatoro-san” and “Komi Can’t Communicate” otakus.
With a release just around the corner, the “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” fandom anxiously awaits its premiere and wants to know where they can watch their favorite characters come to life on the screen.
Where Can You Watch the Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie Anime?
There are a number of streaming networks that may pick up the popular manga adaptation. Netflix and Hulu provide a good deal of modern and classic anime titles. Anime-specific networks make likely candidates, as well. Funimation delivers a vast library of Japanese anime for free, or you can subscribe for an ad-free experience. Anime lovers may get to tune in on Crunchyroll. With Crunchyroll, viewers can stream an extensive collection of anime shows and movies.
Lucky for Crunchyroll and “Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie” fans, the streaming network made a much-anticipated announcement at the annual three-day Anime NYC convention in November 2021. Crunchyroll announced the upcoming 2022 season of anime shows, which includes “A Couple of Cuckoos,” “Dance Dance Danseur,” “The Dawn of the Witch,” the second season of “In/Spectre,” “Tomodachi Game,” and … “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie.”
With Crunchyroll’s announcement, fans can finally let out a sigh of relief and prepare to log in for the series premiere in April 2022.
Who Will Produce the Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie Anime?
Animation studio Doga Kobo is set to produce the upcoming anime show. Since changing registration in 2006, the creative team has produced several visual and light novel adaptations for the screen and is known for their joyful and sweet art style when adapting characters for the screen.
Located in Tokyo, Japan, Doga Kobo produces a number of anime series and brings commercial success for manga to anime adaptations. Founded in 1973, the company devotes its creative skills and abilities to aligning with the founding comic artist, animator, and adviser Hideo Furusawa. Doga Kobo intertwines the classic traditions and foundation of animation with modern technology that appeals to new audiences.
Known for their yuri and moe themes and style, the Doga Kobo animation studios produce a slew of romance and slice-of-life TV series, including “Asteroid in Love,” directed by Hiramaki, and “Sing ‘Yesterday’ for Me,” directed by Fujiwara.
About Manga Artist Keigo Maki
“Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” (“Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san”) is the first public work of manga artist Keigo Maki, also known as Maki Keigo. Maki works as a Japanese mangaka and began the Shikimori manga series in 2018. Originally started as a short Twitter manga, it grew into a published book series of 10 volumes.
While working on “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie,” Maki collaborated with other mangaka and produced several short stories called “It’s Too Precious and Hard to Read!!” This work contained two volumes and 51 chapters. They published the body of work over a span of five months.
Since the release of the manga series “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie,” Keigo Maki continues writing and illustrating manga titles in a number of genres, including comedy, action, sci-fi, school life, drama, shounen, and shoujo. Shounen manga appeals more to a young male audience and includes titles like “My Hero Academia” and “Naruto.” Shojo manga primarily targets teenage girls. These include manga titles like “Love So Life” and “Ouran Koukou Host Club.”
What Is Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie About?
“Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” supplies high school romance that keeps readers coming back for more. Miss Shikimori is not just cute but appears to be the perfect girlfriend. She’s smart, athletic, kind, and, of course, cute. Izumi, Shikimori’s boyfriend, is the perfect blend of awkward and dorky. She frequently comes to Izumi’s rescue when he falls into unlucky situations, which happen daily. Without giving away any spoilers, it’s these times of trouble when Shikimori turns from cute to cool mode.
Many of their schoolmates remain unsure of how the two ended up as a couple. With Shikimori’s stunning appearance and popularity and Izumi’s streak of bad luck, the two make an unlikely (yet adorable) duo. Although there’s not a lot of character development or deep plot, hopeless romantics love the short stories of Shikimori and Izumi.
The manga storyline delivers an easy-to-follow, slice-of-life narrative of Shikimori, Izumi, and their friends. The two are flirtatious, fun, and complement one another. Although Shikimori’s cool mode makes her seem like an intimidating girlfriend, Izumi adores her and together they pull off a wholesome romantic comedy.
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie Main Characters
Aside from main characters Shikimori and Izumi, the manga series features a host of loveable, expressive characters, including:
-
Micchon Shikimori: Intelligent and quick on her feet, pink-haired Shikimori is that girl in high school everyone admires. Described as incredibly cute, Shikimori is dependable and good at most things she tries, except for cooking and singing.
-
Yuu Izumi: Shikimori’s boyfriend and friendly high school boy, Izumi loves to cook, is a good student in school, and is incredibly unlucky. Because of his misadventures, he enjoys quiet, indoor activities and appears somewhat reserved and less assertive than Shikimori.
-
Yui Hachimitsu: One of Shikimori’s best friends, Yui enjoys relaxing indoors and despises exercise. She is known for her static, blank expression and willingness to make her friends happy at any cost.
-
Shu Inuzuka: Izumi’s best friend, Shu is a charismatic high school boy and looks out for Izumi. He is passionate about fulfilling his dream and works several jobs to save money for veterinary school.
-
Kyo Nekozaki: Another best friend of Shikimori, Kyo is spunky, popular, and outgoing. She cares deeply for her friends and is incredibly expressive of her feelings.
-
Kamiya: After a short crush on Izumi, Kamiya becomes friends with Shikimori. Kamiya is well-liked by boys and girls and always wears a smile.
-
Rika Isana: Rika works with Izumi’s best friend Shu at the local coffee shop. Rika is friendly, kind, and hopes to open her own coffee shop one day.
Get the Latest News About Upcoming Anime Shows and Movies on BuddyTV
There’s little doubt that “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” manga fans have a lot to look forward to in 2022. Maki and many anime Twitter accounts are all buzzing in excitement for the release.
Stay in the know with a full line of anime coverage. BuddyTV is the entertainment aficionado and companion for all of your entertainment news. Get the latest updates and news about your favorite anime shows and movies on BuddyTV.
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
