Mother-in-Law Anime Announced 2026

The comedy manga “Never Bully Stepmother and Stepsister” (Ichijinsha), which originated from social media, has been decided to be made into a TV anime in 2026. Kujira will play the role of Kounokura Teru, the stepmother of the protagonist Nakamura Miya. The promotional video announcing the anime adaptation and a teaser visual have been released.

The original manga is currently being serialized in the web comic magazine “comic POOL”. Nakamura Miya, the illegitimate child of the prestigious Kounokura family, lived a poor but happy life, but after his beloved mother passed away, he was taken in by the main family. Miya had prepared himself to be shunned as the child of a concubine, but his cold and spiteful stepmother Teru, and step-sisters Marika and Arisa treat Miya with the utmost kindness as a new member of the family.

The teaser visual is an ominous illustration of a worried-looking Miji surrounded by a stern-looking Teru (above), a fearless smile by Marika (bottom left), and Arisa (bottom right).

The director is Inoue Keisuke of “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!”, the series is written by Hoshino Nanami of “Hokkaido Gals Are Super Cute” (script), and character design is by Sasaki Mutsumi of “Laid-Back Camp△”. The series will be produced by NEWON, the studio behind the mini-anime “A Bouquet for an Ugly Girl.”

The full comments from Kujira and original author Otsuji are below. Otsuji has also sent in an original illustration.

[Kujira (role of Kozo Teru)]

The genre is… probably… a comedy/gag? Heartwarming comedy? …the contrast is amazing too. A Cinderella story of a brave illegitimate child, Yoshiji, who is taken in by the main family, where he is bullied by his stepmother and sister-in-law, who have scary, evil faces, but then a prince appears… or a story of a successful businessman who manages to turn around the family’s fallen fortunes despite being bullied (people who know this are from the Showa era)… that’s what most people would think, right… but in this story, the main character, Yoshiji, is doted on by his stepmother and sister-in-law, who have scary, evil faces, and enjoys his youth (a very Showa-era expression), so I’d call it a heartwarming comedy of contrasts! Sorry for the long introduction!

The long-awaited (for me! Oh, I’m sure you all are too!!) anime adaptation has finally been decided!! I’ve been tasked with voicing the extremely condescending and evil-faced Kozo Teru. He’s scary but kind-hearted, like Teru’s mother, Mummy. I’m looking forward to playing him.

And apparently there aren’t any villains in this story (probably), but everyone is nice, and apparently they’re all very eccentric and intense characters. Sounds fun, right?! I’m looking forward to seeing how the brave protagonist, Miji, grows into a wonderful lady amongst all the oddballs around her. Everyone, please look forward to it! I’m sure it’ll be interesting and moving!! It’s heartwarming after all!!

[Otsuji (original author)]

A four-page manga born on SNS has become an anime thanks to all of you who continue to read it! Thank you so much for bringing “Ibikona” to this stage! The resolution of the anime staff is incredibly high, and while respecting the momentum and tempo of the original work, they have expressed the depth of the story and the depth of the characters. I sincerely hope that the anime “Non-bullying Stepmother and Stepsister” will be loved by many people!

NBCUniversal Anime/Music

Channel subscriber count: 452,000

[Special announcement] PV for TV anime “My Stepmother and Stepsister Don’t Bully Me” to be made into an anime

A Surprisingly Wholesome Family Story Comes to Life with Veteran Voice Talent

Unlike many anime that depict strained in-law relationships for comedic or dramatic effect, The Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law Who Don’t Bully Me takes a refreshing approach. It focuses on warmth, mutual respect, and emotional healing. The casting of Kujira—known for her strong and mature roles—as the mother-in-law adds depth to the character, suggesting a layered, heartwarming performance. With the PV and teaser visuals now out, the anime is poised to become a standout in the 2026 lineup for fans seeking comfort and familial kindness rather than conflict.