Noa Is My Senior, and My Friend Anime Set for 2027, Reveals Main Cast and First Visual

A new workplace rom-com is getting ready to jump into anime, and vaya, it already has a clear target on the calendar. Noa Is My Senior, and My Friend. — also known as Noa-senpai wa Tomodachi. — is officially getting a television anime in 2027. Along with that, Kadokawa also revealed the first key visual, the main cast, and the core staff behind the project.

Main cast revealed

The series will feature Rina Kawaguchi as Noa Saotome and Tomoya Itō as Rihito Ōtsuka. That puts the spotlight right where it should be: on the two leads carrying this office-based relationship story.

Noa is the senior at work. Rihito is the younger employee who keeps things chill. You can already see the setup, bicho: one is polished and respected, the other is low-energy and just trying not to spend extra battery in life.

What the story is about

The manga follows Rihito Ōtsuka, an employee at a game company. He is easygoing, calm, and lives by a simple rule: save energy whenever possible. On the other side is Noa Saotome, an art director who looks like the complete professional. She is trusted by her bosses and admired by the people below her.

Then comes the twist. Rihito ends up discovering a hidden side of Noa that she does not show at work. That moment kicks off an after-hours friendship between the two. Just friendship, supposedly. Ajá, sure. You already know where these stories like to play.

The anime staff behind the series

The adaptation is being produced by feel., the animation studio handling the project.

Shinsuke Yanagi is directing the anime. His past work includes Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki, Senpai is an Otokonoko, and High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World.

Keiichirō Ōchi is in charge of the series scripts. His credits include I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting, and The Quintessential Quintuplets.

Character designs are being handled by Yumiko Yamamoto, known for work on Seven Senses of the Re'Union, Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld, and Yohane the Parhelion -SUNSHINE in the MIRROR.

The manga keeps moving

Noa-senpai wa Tomodachi. began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in 2023. Since then, it has built enough momentum to land an anime adaptation fast. That is not small stuff. In barely around 4 years from launch to anime premiere window, the series moved with real pace.

Its 12th compiled volume is scheduled for release on October 19. So yes, the manga already has a solid stack of material for the anime to work with.

A quick look at Enma Akiyama

The manga is written and illustrated by Enma Akiyama. Another one of Akiyama's known works is Killer in Love (Kimi ni Koisuru Satsujinki), which launched in 2021 and ended in 2022.

That means Akiyama has already shown range, moving from a darker title to a cleaner workplace relationship setup. Different vibe, same hustle.

Why this anime may catch attention

Office romance anime always has a lane, and this one comes in with a simple hook: a respected senior, a laid-back coworker, and a secret side nobody expects. It is relatable. At work, everyone acts one way. After clock-out, puro otro rollo.

That contrast is the whole engine here. If the anime nails the chemistry between Noa and Rihito, it could land well with fans who enjoy character-driven rom-coms more than loud gimmicks.

For now, the big facts are locked in: 2027 release, two lead cast members, first visual revealed, and a production team with solid experience in romance and character-focused series. Short version: this one is officially on the radar.