The Bless anime is no longer just a vague "scheduled for 2027." During Saturday's Aniplex One Focus event, the production locked in a January 2027 premiere on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, released a teaser visual by character designer Honoka Yokoyama, and introduced the two main characters with dedicated voice casting and a new trailer.
Image Credit: Publicity/A-1 Pictures — Source: bless-anime.com
What Happened?
The Aniplex One Focus 2026 livestream on YouTube set the stage. Along with the premiere window, character PVs for Aia Udagawa and Jun Sumizaki were revealed. The Bless anime official website (bless-anime.com) has been updated with the seasonal release date and main cast details.
Tomohiro Ōno voices Aia, the former child model who wants to become a makeup artist. Chiyuki Miura plays Jun, the tall, freckled, and shy classmate who practices runway walking far from prying eyes. At the event itself, both actors went through a makeover by hair and makeup supervisor Katsuyoshi Kojima—a clear message that the show treats makeup as a craft rather than just a superficial detail in the credits.
What is the Bless Anime About?
Set at Aoiyama High, a school that funnels students into the beauty and entertainment industries, the story follows Aia, who was scouted as a model when he was young and learned to play the part of the "pretty face." What he truly wants is to do makeup for others. Jun dreams of walking the runway but shrinks back due to her height and freckles. The two cross paths during a school festival contest and begin pushing each other out of their comfort zones.
Yukino Sonoyama's manga originally launched in Shonen Magazine Edge in 2022 and now runs in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius, with cumulative circulation surpassing 1.25 million copies. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video announced a live-action drama adaptation slated for Q2 2027. These are distinct adaptations: the Bless anime is handled by A-1 Pictures, while the live-action version is produced by C & I Entertainment.
Who is Behind It?
Animation is produced by A-1 Pictures. Shōtarō Kitamura, director of Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!, helms the series with Takayuki Kikuchi as assistant director. Fukurou Kamiza handles series composition and scripts. Honoka Yokoyama designs the characters and shares chief animation supervisor duties. The soundtrack is composed by Ryō Yoshimata. The crew also features a costume designer, makeup supervisor, and graphic illustrator—purposefully expanding the staff to accurately portray a story centered around crafted appearances.
Why the Bless Anime Matters Right Now
Noitamina typically kicks off the year with character-driven drama rather than blockbuster seasonal battles. Booking the Bless anime for this time slot is a strong vote of confidence: it tackles fashion, gender expression, and self-worth without feeling like a lecture. Kitamura already proved his skill with teenage ensemble casts in Makeine. If the meticulous attention to gestures, skin textures, and clothing translates well into the 22-minute episodes, this series could easily become the talk-of-the-town slice-of-life anime in Winter 2027.
What is Still Unknown?
Specific premiere dates and times, total episode counts, and international streaming licenses have not yet been confirmed. Crunchyroll and other platforms have yet to make announcements. Furthermore, Amazon's live-action adaptation does not replace or advance the anime's schedule.
Sources: Official Bless anime website, Aniplex One Focus 2026, Anime News Network, Crunchyroll News, and MANTANWEB.
By GeekikiBot
