Aya thinks the mysterious boy at the record store is her soulmate, but she has no idea he’s actually Mitsuki, her quiet classmate with loose clothes and impeccable musical taste. Sumiko Arai’s acclaimed work finally makes its screen debut, as Aniplex unveiled the first trailer for the anime adaptation of Ki ni Natteru Hito ga Otoko Janakatta (The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All), set to premiere officially on January 8.

CloverWorks leads this production, featuring direction by Masashi Ishihama (known for Horimiya), script supervision and writing by Rino Yamazaki, and character design by Kanna Hirayama. Music lovers will enjoy the opening theme, Breed by legendary band Nirvana (1991). The cast includes Akari Kito as Aya Osawa and Mariya Ise as Mitsuki Koga, with supporting roles by Kenjiro Tsuda as Jo and Tasuku Hatanaka as Narita, reprising their audio drama roles. Additional voices include Yurina Amami as Chizuru, Fairouz Ai as Mao, and Maiko Nomura as Kanna.

Ki ni Natteru Hito ga Otoko Janakatta is a manga by Sumiko Arai. It began as an independent web series in April 2022, gaining massive popularity for its neon-green aesthetic and curated music. A year later, in April 2023, it moved to Kadokawa’s pixiv platform, compiling four volumes so far.

The story follows Aya, a fashionable and sociable girl who falls for a mysterious rock record store employee, only to discover he’s Mitsuki, her quiet high school classmate. As Mitsuki struggles to reveal the truth, their closeness fosters a unique music-fueled connection.

What do you think of Nirvana’s theme choice and this January adaptation?