The manga centers on Jin Clice (also known as Kurusu), an elite world-class secret agent working for Japan's National Special Operations Agency (JST). A super A-class spy, Clice was mortally wounded during a mission against the KGB. In a desperate move to save the agency's massive investment in him, the JST transfers his brain into the body of a recently deceased 20-year-old female tennis athlete. Now physically a beautiful woman but mentally a "macho" ladies' man, Clice must continue his dangerous espionage work while adjusting to his new life. His ultimate goal is to complete enough successful missions to earn the approval of his superiors and eventually be granted a new male body. The publication history of Mr. Clice spans four decades, reflecting its enduring popularity. The manga originally debuted in Shueisha's Monthly Shonen Jump in December 1985 and ran irregularly until that magazine ceased publication in 2007. During this initial run, the series produced 16 chapters which were collected into five volumes. After a nearly 10-year hiatus, the series returned in February 2017 in Jump Square, shortly after Akimoto finished his 40-year run on KochiKame. It moved once more in April 2018 to the quarterly magazine Jump SQ. RISE, where it continues to be serialized today. Shueisha will publish the manga's new chapter in the Jump SQ. RISE 2026 Winter issue, which will ship in late January, giving fans new content to look forward to alongside the anime announcement. Osamu Akimoto, the creator of Mr. Clice, is most well known for his legendary "Kochikame" manga series. Kochikame ended in September 2016 after an incredible 40 years of serialization, making it one of the longest-running manga series in history. Although the main series concluded, Akimoto has published several extra chapters for the manga since then, with the latest new one-shot released on August 5, 2025. The manga series had approximately 150 million copies in print as of June 2016 when the 199th volume shipped, with the 201st volume shipping in October 2021, demonstrating its massive commercial success. The Kochikame franchise has inspired an extensive multimedia adaptation, including a television anime series that debuted in 1996 and ran for more than 300 episodes until 2004, anime films, anime specials, live-action films, a live-action series, and several stage plays. In May 2025, REMOW announced that it is releasing the television anime with English subtitles in the U.S. and Canada on the It's Anime YouTube channel. REMOW plans to release all 373 episodes of the anime in the U.S. and Canada, marking the first English release of the series in North America, introducing this classic comedy to a new generation of international fans. The announcement of the Mr. Clice anime adaptation at Jump Festa '26 represents a significant moment for fans of Akimoto's work, bringing one of his other notable series to animated life for the first time. While a promotional video was released to mark the occasion, specific production details—such as the animation studio, voice cast, and a firm release date—have not yet been disclosed. The adaptation is expected to bring the series' unique blend of "Bond-style" spy action and comedic hijinks to modern television audiences. As production details emerge, fans can look forward to seeing how this classic manga will be brought to the screen.Mr. Clice anime adaptation announced at Jump Festa '26
— Kochikame Official (@Kochikame_info) December 20, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Mr. Clice is a long-running action-comedy spy manga created by Osamu Akimoto, the legendary author of KochiKame. The series centers on Jin Clice (or Kurusu), an elite, world-class secret agent working for Japan's National Special Operations Agency (JST). Unlike traditional spy thrillers, the series blends high-stakes espionage with sharp gag comedy and unique "gender-bender" elements. The story began its journey in 1985 and has maintained a cult following for decades due to its eccentric premise and Akimoto's signature art style. It follows Clice as he travels across the globe to tackle dangerous missions, ranging from stopping international assassins to navigating complex political conspiracies.
At the Jump Festa '26 event held on December 20, 2025, it was officially announced that Mr. Clice will receive its first-ever anime adaptation. This announcement was a major highlight of the event, specifically revealed during the KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mr. Clice series. While a promotional video was released to mark the occasion, specific production details—such as the animation studio, voice cast, and a firm release date—have not yet been disclosed. The adaptation is expected to bring the series' unique blend of "Bond-style" spy action and comedic hijinks to modern television audiences for the first time.
The premise of Mr. Clice revolves around Jin Clice, a super-dashing "A-rank" spy who is mortally wounded during a mission against the KGB. In a desperate move to save the agency's massive investment in him, the JST transfers his brain into the body of a recently deceased 20-year-old female tennis athlete. Now physically a beautiful woman but mentally a "macho" ladies' man, Clice must continue his dangerous espionage work while adjusting to his new life. His ultimate goal is to complete enough successful missions to earn the approval of his superiors and eventually be granted a new male body.
The manga has a unique, irregular publication history that spans four decades. It originally debuted in Shueisha's Monthly Shonen Jump in December 1985 and ran irregularly until that magazine ceased publication in 2007. During this initial run, the series produced 16 chapters which were collected into five volumes. After a nearly 10-year hiatus, the series returned in February 2017 in Jump Square, shortly after Akimoto finished his 40-year run on KochiKame. It moved once more in April 2018 to the quarterly magazine Jump SQ. RISE, where it continues to be serialized today.
Osamu Akimoto is one of Japan's most prolific and respected manga artists, best known for creating the legendary KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops. Born in 1952, he is famous for his incredible work ethic, having written KochiKame for 40 years without ever taking a break. In 2019, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon by the Japanese government for his significant contributions to the arts. Beyond KochiKame and Mr. Clice, Akimoto has created several other notable works, including: Black Tiger: A gritty Western series serialized from 2017 to 2023. Finder: Kyoto Jogakuin Monogatari: A story about a high school photography club. Ii Yu da ne!: A bathhouse-themed sequel to KochiKame.
Kochikame (full title: Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo) is a cultural phenomenon that ran continuously in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1976 to 2016. It is significant for its longevity and its former Guinness World Record for the most volumes published for a single manga series, totaling 201 volumes. The series follows the comedic everyday life of Kankichi Ryotsu, a middle-aged police officer at a small neighborhood station. The series has inspired a massive media franchise, including a long-running anime series (1996–2004), multiple live-action films, TV dramas, and even a stage musical. Coinciding with the Mr. Clice announcement, a new anime titled Shin KochiKame was also announced at Jump Festa '26 to celebrate the manga's 50th anniversary.
The latest chapter of Mr. Clice is scheduled to be published in the Jump SQ. RISE 2026 WINTER issue. This issue is set for release in late January 2026. Readers can find the new chapter in the physical or digital editions of Jump SQ. RISE, a quarterly magazine published by Shueisha. For fans looking to catch up, the first chapter of the series is often available for free via the official Jump SQ website.
Mr. Clice is unique for its "Bond-girl-with-a-Bond-brain" hook, which creates a constant source of both high-octane action and gender-based gag comedy. Unlike many modern manga that follow strict weekly schedules, Mr. Clice has remained a passion project for Akimoto, appearing irregularly over 40 years, allowing it to reflect changing global trends across multiple decades. The series belongs to a hybrid of genres: Spy/Action: Featuring international espionage, high-tech gadgets, and global travel. Comedy/Gag: Utilizing absurd situations and Akimoto's classic humor. Gender Bender/Ecchi: Exploring the protagonist's transition from a "man's man" to a female body.
Jump SQ. RISE (originally known as Jump SQ. Crown) is a quarterly spin-off magazine of Shueisha's Jump Square. It typically features one-shots from new artists and irregular or slower-paced serializations from veteran mangaka. Mr. Clice has been serialized in Jump SQ. RISE since April 16, 2018. Because the magazine only publishes four times a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn), chapters for Mr. Clice are released approximately every three months, allowing the author to maintain the series alongside his other projects.
Fans can expect a high-energy adaptation that stays true to Akimoto's blend of slapstick humor and intense spy missions. Based on the announcement video, the anime will likely cover the early high-stakes missions where Clice first adjusts to his new identity while thwarting global threats. Regarding production, very few specifics are known as of December 20, 2025. While Studio Gallop was confirmed to be handling the New KochiKame project announced at the same event, a specific studio for Mr. Clice has not yet been named. Further details regarding the cast and staff are expected to be revealed later in 2026.