KADOKAWA has announced that the upcoming anime adaptation of Eri Ejima’s delightful comedy manga, ‘Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games,’ will now premiere in 2026. Originally slated for a 2025 release, the production committee explained the postponement is due to “coordinating schedules with all relevant parties.” They extended their gratitude to fans for their unwavering support and assured them that the new broadcast date would be revealed once finalized.
Adding to the anticipation, the series also unveiled new character visuals for its exciting ‘Street Fighter 6’ collaboration. These vibrant visuals are expected to take center stage at the anime’s Tokyo Game Show booth later this week, offering fans a closer look at the crossover.
The creative team bringing this story to life includes Shota Ihata, known for ‘The Saint’s Magic Power Is Omnipotent,’ directing the series at Studio Diomedéa. Wataru Watari, the acclaimed author behind the ‘My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU’ novels, is handling the series composition, while Mayuko Matsumoto from ‘Parallel World Pharmacy’ is designing the characters. Kana Hashiguchi, who composed music for ‘Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World,’ is creating the score. Notably, actual footage from ‘Street Fighter 6’ will be integrated as the main game within the series, promising an authentic gaming experience.
Eri Ejima’s original manga, ‘Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games,’ has been serialized in ‘Monthly Comic Flapper’ since January 2020, accumulating nine volumes in Japan to date. The series previously received a live-action web drama adaptation in May 2023. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the official English version, describing the story as follows:
Kuromi Girls’ Academy is an esteemed and elegant institution that upholds the highest standards of etiquette and grace for its students. Aya, a scholarship student, strives to embody the refinement of her idol, Shirayui. However, Shirayui harbors a surprising secret: beneath her poised exterior lies a fierce, trash-talking, combo-chaining, and ruthless hardcore gamer! The question remains: can a shared passion for intense video game combat forge an unexpected and deeper bond between these two seemingly different young women?