On Friday, March 8, 2024, Shueisha announced that the upcoming anime adaptation of “The Perfect Prince Loves Me, the Side Character?!” will premiere in mid-March 2024. Following this, the second episode is scheduled to air approximately a month later in mid-April, with subsequent episodes airing every Saturday thereafter.
The early release will be on the Coolmic platform, offering an “uncensored” version, while the broadcast version will debut in April before the general release of the second episode. Alongside this announcement, Shueisha also shared a screenshot from the anime featuring the titular prince.
“The Perfect Prince Loves Me, the Side Character?!” anime is based on the manga series by author and illustrator Ao Yuki, titled “The Perfect Prince Loves Me, His Rival?!” The manga series was initially launched on the ComicFesta website by WWWave Corporation in 2022. The English version of the manga is available on the Coolmic website under the same title.
The Perfect Prince Loves Me, the Side Character?! Anime Premieres Ahead
The debut of The Perfect Prince Loves Me, the Side Character?! anime is set for an early release on the Coolmic website on Friday, March 15, 2024. Fans can expect an uncensored version of the pilot episode, with a toned-down “broadcast” edition airing on Tokyo MX and BS11 starting Sunday, April 7, 2024. Following this, the second episode is scheduled for a wider release on Sunday, April 14.
The anime features Santa Hiiragi as Alec Ray Garcium, Haru Danji as Loneal Gravis, Mei Hanamori as Lily Philips, Shu Kasumi as Zeno Orwen, and Sho Shioko as Noah Carlisle. Directed by Akikonchi at Studio Hokiboshi, the series boasts Akari Minagawa’s character design, Maki Hashimoto as chief animation director, and Hisayoshi Hirasawa as sound director.
Other key personnel include Reina Nasu for sub-character design, Kanata Kawanobe for color design, Masahiro Satō for art setting, Shurakura Hōōin and Takuto Tomozawa for director of photography, Kōki Shinkai for editing, and Studio Mausu for sound production.
The creators describe the plot as follows: In the novel, Loneal, a side character, endeavors to stay clear of Prince Alec, the protagonist, to avoid meddling with the main storyline involving Alec and Lily.
However, to Loneal’s astonishment, the prince develops feelings for him. Surprised by this unexpected turn of events, Loneal finds himself drawn into Alec’s arms, questioning why the reality deviates so significantly from the narrative.