The staff for the television anime of Eri Ejima’s “Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games” (Tai Ari Deshita: Ojō-sama wa Kakutō Game Nante Shinai) has announced that rock band Hanabie. will perform the opening theme “Inochi Mijikashi Tai Suru Otome yo!” and halca will perform the ending theme “New Game.” The series premieres July 7 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, and MBS.
Key Announcement Details
The staff also announced an exciting collaboration with Street Fighter 6. A special promotional video will screen on the Battle Hub large screen from June 2-30, with six title cards available from June 2 through July 14. This collaboration was first announced in May 2025.
Directed by Shota Ihata at studio diomedéa, with series scripts by Wataru Watari (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) and character designs by Mayuko Matsumoto, the anime adapts Ejima’s manga about refined schoolgirls who secretly bond over fighting games.
The voice cast includes Ikumi Hasegawa as Aya Mitsuki, Kana Ichinose as Mio Yorue, Sayaka Senbongi as Yu Inui, Shino Shimoji as Tamaki Ichinose, and Maria Naganawa as Arisa Fujimiya. Notably, real-life fighting game player, commentator, and event organizer Aru voices Flamberge, a well-known fighting game commentator within the story.
Community Reception
Hanabie.’s hardcore punk-influenced style has generated excitement for the opening theme, while the Street Fighter 6 collaboration has been particularly well-received by the fighting game community. The casting of real fighting game player Aru adds an authentic touch that hardcore FGC fans appreciate. The manga’s premise — refined girls at a prestigious academy who turn out to be fierce fighting game competitors — has attracted a dedicated fanbase, and the music choices reflect the series’ energetic, unapologetic tone.
What This Means
After being delayed from its original 2025 window (the adaptation was first announced in 2021), Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is finally poised to reach screens. The Street Fighter 6 collaboration represents a rare cross-promotion between an anime series and a major fighting game franchise, potentially introducing the series to a broader gaming audience. Scriptwriter Wataru Watari’s involvement (of Oregairu fame) adds considerable writing pedigree to the adaptation.