The captivating Japanese romance manga "A Sign of Affection" by Morishita debuted on July 24, 2019, in Kodansha's Dessert magazine and has now exceeded expectations with ten volumes. This heartwarming series delves into communication barriers, a theme not often explored since "A Silent Voice." The first episode is scheduled to air on January 6, 2024, promising a heartfelt exploration of human connection within an anticipated 11-13 episode run, fitting for the romance genre.
Disclaimer- This article contains minor spoilers for the Overlord anime series.
A Sign of Affection episode 1 release date and timings
The long-awaited premiere of episode 1 of A Sign of Affection is scheduled to debut in Japan at 10:30 pm JST on Saturday, January 6, 2024. With approximately 40 chapters currently available, the manga follows a monthly release schedule. The episode will be accessible on streaming platforms approximately an hour after its release. See below for the release times in different time zones.
Time zones | Release date and time |
Pacific Daylight Time | 5:30 am, Saturday, January 6 |
Eastern Daylight Time | 8:30 am, Saturday, January 6 |
British Summer Time | 1:30 pm, Saturday, January 6 |
Central European Summer Time | 2:30 pm, Saturday, January 6 |
Indian Standard Time | 7:00 pm, Saturday, January 6 |
Philippine Standard Time | 9:30 am, Saturday, January 6 |
Australia Central Standard Time | 11:00 am, Saturday, January 6 |
A Sign of Affection episode 1 streaming details
Itsuomi Nagi and Yuki Itose as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Ajia-do)
The anime A Sign of Affection is set to debut on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 10:30 pm JST on Tokyo MX, MBS, and BS NTV in Japan. The show will feature Japanese subtitles on TV and streaming platforms in order to make the scenes accessible to sign language users.
Internationally, the anime will be streamed on Crunchyroll for North and Central American audiences, with streaming information for other regions anticipated to be announced soon, ensuring a captivating viewing experience for viewers around the world.
A Sign of Affection: What to Expect?
Itsuomi Nagi as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Ajia-do)
The highly anticipated series boasts a stellar cast, with Sumire Morohoshi and Yu Miyazaki showcasing their skills as the main characters, Yuki Itose and Itsuomi Nagi. Morohoshi, famous for her portrayals of Kyoka Izumi in Bungo Stray Dogs and Emma in The Promised Neverland, takes on the role of Yuki, while Miyazaki, known for Sachiro Hirugami in Haikyuu!!, brings Itsuomi to life.
The talented lineup also includes Takeo Otsuka as Oshi Ashioki, Ryota Ohsaka as Kyoya Nagi, and Kaede Hondo as Rin Fujishiro. Each member of the cast brings their expertise, with Ohsaka having previously voiced Keiji Akaashi in Haikyuu!! and Hondo showcasing her talent in Dr. Stone and Hinamatsuri.
Yuki Itose can be seen in the anime trailer (Image via Studio Ajia-do). In addition, Nao Tōyama and Tasuku Hatanaka lend their talents as Ema Nakazono and Kokoro Iyanagi, respectively. Tōyama has appeared in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Rent-A-Girlfriend, while Hatanaka is known for his roles in My Hero Academia and Tokyo Revengers.
Final Thoughts
Itsuomi and Yuki as shown in the anime's trailer (Image via Ajia-do)
The highly anticipated anime, featuring an exceptional cast, will be a direct adaptation of the manga of the same name. Fans can immerse themselves in the manga on Comixology and Amazon Kindle. Notably, the manga is exclusively available on Kodansha Comics's website and is not accessible on platforms like Shueisha's MANGA Plus or Shonen Jump+ App. This direct adaptation has only heightened the excitement for the series among fans.
In a genre craving quality romance after Horimiya, the excitement for A Sign of Affection as a breath of fresh air in anime is tangible, promising a captivating narrative on the complexities of human connection.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of romance manga and anime, I am thrilled about the upcoming release of A Sign of Affection. The manga has been a favorite of mine for years, and I can't wait to see it come to life on screen. The story is heartwarming and emotional, and I think it will resonate with a wide audience. I'm also excited about the cast, which includes some of my favorite voice actors. I think they'll do a great job of bringing the characters to life.
I'm also glad that the anime will be available on Crunchyroll, so I can watch it legally. I know that some people are worried about the fact that the manga is not available on platforms like Shueisha's MANGA Plus or Shonen Jump+ App, but I think it's important to support the creators by purchasing the manga or watching the anime legally. I hope that A Sign of Affection will be a success, and that it will lead to more romance anime being produced.