Manga fans have reason to celebrate: Glasses, Sometimes a Delinquent (the English adaptation of Naruki’s beloved shoujo rom-com) is officially heading to television. The announcement came straight from the author herself on April 23, 2026, along with a stunning celebratory illustration that has already captured the hearts of the fanbase. This marks a major milestone for a series that has quietly become one of Kodansha’s most consistently charming properties.
A Rom-Com With a Delicious Twist
Glasses, Sometimes a Delinquent follows Momose Hiro, a clumsy girl with a chaotic middle school reputation, and Ichikura Dan, an honor student who carries a carefully hidden secret: he was the most feared delinquent in their school’s history. The premise may sound familiar—good girl meets reformed bad boy—but Naruki’s execution is what sets it apart. The series thrives on genuine character chemistry, comedy grounded in realistic awkward moments, and romantic tension that doesn’t rush or manipulate reader emotions. Romantic comedy anime has flourished in recent years, and this adaptation arrives at an ideal time when audiences crave heartfelt storytelling over manufactured drama.
The manga originally serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Friend magazine, a publication known for publishing high-quality shoujo titles. What began as a serialized chapter has grown into a cultural phenomenon: over one million copies across ten volumes, with fans eagerly awaiting volume 11’s release in May 2026. That level of sustained popularity doesn’t happen by accident—it speaks to a story that resonates emotionally with its audience.
What We Know About the Anime So Far
The anime production details remain under wraps, but Kodansha has moved quickly to build momentum. An official website, X (formerly Twitter) account, Instagram page, and TikTok channel have all launched to coordinate the announcement. Starting April 24, 2026, special promotional videos featuring the original manga will roll out across these platforms, giving fans early looks at how the characters and world will transition to animation.
Naruki herself shared an exclusive congratulatory illustration as part of the announcement, depicting the main couple alongside supporting characters who have become fan favorites. In her official comment, the author expressed long-held dreams of seeing her characters come to life: “Since my days aspiring to become a manga artist, I’ve always wanted to see the characters I draw speak and move. That dream is now coming true, and I am truly grateful to all my readers for their constant support. I look forward to seeing Ichikura and Momose alive on screen.”
Free Access to the Original Manga
To capitalize on the anime announcement, Kodansha is offering manga readers a special promotional window. Three volumes of the series are now available for free across three of their digital platforms, with staggered availability:
- Palcy: Three volumes free from April 23 through May 6, 2026
- Magazine Pocket: Three volumes free from April 23 through April 29, 2026
- Comic Days: Three volumes free from April 23 through April 29, plus an additional two volumes from May 13 through May 19, 2026
This is a strategic move that allows new readers to sample the series at zero cost, lowering the barrier to entry and building excitement ahead of the anime broadcast. For longtime fans already collected to physical volumes, the free access offers a convenient way to revisit favorite moments or catch story details they may have glossed over the first time.
Why This Anime Matters
Shoujo and romantic comedy anime have experienced a renaissance in the past few years, with audiences increasingly hungry for stories centered on character development and genuine emotional connection rather than fan service or shock value. Popular anime adaptations continue to prove that strong source material translates across media, and Glasses, Sometimes a Delinquent has all the ingredients for a successful transition: compelling characters with contrasting personalities, a setting (high school) that anime producers know how to visualize effectively, and a tone that balances humor with sincerity.
The timing also works in the anime’s favor. With the manga already at ten volumes and climbing, there’s substantial material to adapt without the adaptation outpacing the source. This gives production teams breathing room to maintain quality without the pressure of creating original content to fill episodes. School-centered anime continues to dominate viewing preferences, and a well-executed romantic comedy with this much goodwill from its fanbase could easily become a gateway series for newcomers to the genre.
What Fans Are Saying
The anime announcement has already sparked excitement across social media. Fans are eagerly discussing who they hope will voice Ichikura and Momose, what production studio will handle the adaptation, and whether the anime will faithfully adapt Naruki’s art style. The celebratory illustration Naruki provided has been shared thousands of times, with many praising the artist’s distinctive character designs and expressive line work—qualities that will be crucial to capture in animation.
For manga readers, the anime announcement validates their enthusiasm for a series that, while popular, hasn’t received the mainstream media coverage of titles like My Hero Academia or Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a reminder that passionate, engaged fanbases matter, and that word-of-mouth enthusiasm can elevate a series to mainstream recognition.
Looking Ahead
Cast and staff announcements are expected to follow in the coming weeks or months. Fans should keep an eye on the official social media channels and anime website for updates. The promotional videos launching April 24 will give the first hints about the animation studio’s visual approach and tone.
Glasses, Sometimes a Delinquent joins a growing list of manga-to-anime adaptations planned for 2026, a year that’s shaping up to be exceptionally strong for anime fans. Whether you’re new to Naruki’s work or have been following since the serialization began, the anime adaptation offers a perfect opportunity to revisit—or discover for the first time—why this charming rom-com has captured over one million readers’ hearts.
Source: Natalie Comic
