Reiji Miyajima, the mastermind behind the popular “Rent-A-Girlfriend” series, is making waves once again with his latest creation, “The Shiunji Family Children.” The upcoming anime adaptation, set to premiere on April 8, 2025, has unveiled a new character visual featuring Banri Shiunji, voiced by Chika Anzai.
Plot and Controversy
The story revolves around the Shiunji family, consisting of two sons and five daughters. The plot takes a controversial turn when the father reveals that the siblings are not blood-related, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
This premise has sparked debate among anime fans, with some expressing concern over the taboo subject matter. The series explores themes of forbidden love between characters raised as siblings, pushing boundaries in the romance genre and getting anime adaptation. One X User (Formally Twitter) commented,
“Why are y’all so obsessed with incest”
Another user replied to him,
“Fun fact : This isn’t incest..They are adopted”
Well, this manga’s anime adaptation has sparked debate among anime watchers about whether the plot is too incestuous to skip. However, the author of ‘Rent-A-Girlfriend’ is undoubtedly creating a ‘Sweet Home Alabama’-style anime.
Another user stated,
“It’s not incest if they live together but belong to different families”
Character Spotlight: Banri Shiunji
The latest visual features Banri Shiunji, the eldest daughter of the family, on what appears to be a date at the Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shinjuku. Banri is described as a kind-hearted university student aspiring to become a nurse.
Anime Details
Studio: Doga Kobo
Director: Ryouki Kamitsubo
Series Composition: Noboru Kimura
Character Design: Miki Muto
Music: Akki, Ginnojo Hoshi and Shota Horie
The opening theme, “Honey Lemon,” will be performed by NACHERRY.
Cast and Production
The anime boasts a star-studded voice cast, including:
- Yuichiro Umehara as Arata Shiunji
- Chika Anzai as Banri Shiunji
- Rie Takahashi as Ouka Shiunji
- Marika Kono as Seiha Shiunji
- Hana Hishikawa as Minami Shiunji
- Kana Ichinose as Kotono Shiunji
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Shion Shiunji
Reiji Miyajima’s Track Record
Miyajima has a history of creating popular yet controversial works. His previous series, “Rent-A-Girlfriend,” achieved significant success, leading to multiple anime seasons. However, “The Shiunji Family Children” seems to be pushing the envelope even further.
As the anime’s premiere date approaches, it remains to be seen how audiences will receive this daring new series from the mind of Reiji Miyajima. Will it be another hit, or will the controversial subject matter prove too divisive? Anime fans around the world will be watching closely when “The Shiunji Family Children” debuts this April.
Doga Kobo’s Involvement
The anime is being produced by Doga Kobo, a studio known for its high-quality animation and expertise in slice-of-life and comedy genres. Doga Kobo has built a strong reputation through works such as “Oshi no Ko“, “Roshidere,” and “Yuru Yuri”.
The studio’s acquisition by Kadokawa in July 2024 has further solidified its position in the industry. Doga Kobo’s involvement in this project is particularly noteworthy, given their history of creating visually appealing and emotionally engaging anime.
Their works often feature strong female characters, appealing stories, and top-notch animation. Some of their most acclaimed series include “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun,” “Plastic Memories,” and “New Game!”
