On January 15, Netflix is rolling out a new original anime series, Le Prisme de l’amour, that blends coming-of-age drama, artistic ambition and slow-burn romance in early 20th century London. Created by celebrated manga author Yoko Kamio, known worldwide for Hana yori dango, the show follows a young Japanese painter navigating family pressure, culture shock and complex relationships at a prestigious British art academy.
Art, ambition and identity at a London academy
At the center of Le Prisme de l’amour is Lili Ichijoin, a young woman who has left Japan to enroll at the elite Saint Thomas Art Academy in London. Her dream is clear: she wants to become a painter. What isn’t optional is the deadline imposed by her family back home. Lili has six months to prove herself and reach an exceptional level, or she’ll be forced to return to Japan.
This ticking clock shapes everything about her arrival in England. Her first steps in the academy are marked by intense pressure to perform, to adapt quickly and to stand out in an environment where talent is everywhere and second chances are rare.
Day-to-day life at Saint Thomas is built around demanding coursework, rivalries between students and the constant need to refine one’s style. Like much of Yoko Kamio’s work, the series uses this school setting to explore how young people collide with social expectations and family obligations while trying to claim their own path.
- A vividly animated London at the beginning of the 20th century, from historic streets to bustling studios.
- An art academy where every student is struggling to defend their vision and ambitions.
- A heroine who must both prove her worth and find her place in a strict, competitive environment.
Across class lines: Lili and Kit at the heart of the story
As Lili adjusts to her new life, her trajectory shifts when she crosses paths with Kit Church. He is a young aristocrat, already recognized at the academy for his remarkable talent, but also for the distance he keeps from his classmates. Kit channels almost all of his energy into painting, carefully protecting the fragile balance he has built.
Lili’s determination and emotional openness start to disrupt that balance. Their growing connection, rooted in a shared devotion to art, becomes one of the main narrative threads running through the show’s twenty episodes. Through their interaction, the series examines how two people from very different social backgrounds can influence each other’s work, choices and view of the world.
Around them, Le Prisme de l’amour introduces a wider circle of characters: international students, local Londoners, teachers and members of powerful families. This ensemble cast opens the door to themes such as class differences, cultural encounters and the kinds of friendships that emerge when people from all over the world share the same campus.
WIT Studio and Kazuto Nakazawa bring London and its artists to life
The visual world of Le Prisme de l’amour is shaped by director Kazuto Nakazawa, who previously handled the animated sequence in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and created B: The Beginning. Animation production is handled by WIT Studio, the company behind series such as L’Attaque des Titans and Moonrise.
Together, Nakazawa and WIT Studio craft a version of England that leans heavily on atmosphere: London streets, luminous workshops and an idealized English countryside are rendered with detailed animation that emphasizes light, texture and space. The settings don’t just frame the narrative; they reflect the inner states of the young artists trying to define themselves.
The show embraces an initiatory tone, aiming to resonate with viewers who are wrestling with their own goals and hesitations. Yoko Kamio describes Lili as “a young woman who moves through her era with love, courage and sincerity,” underscoring the intention to tell a story that can offer a sense of hope at a time when the ability to dream can feel fragile.
By following Lili’s journey into adulthood, Le Prisme de l’amour highlights how artistic ambition, emotional ties and personal growth evolve together over time.
Release, story focus and creative team
Global release date
Netflix will launch Le Prisme de l’amour worldwide on January 15.
Core premise
The series centers on Lili, a Japanese student who travels to London to study painting, and on the bond she gradually forms with Kit Church, a talented young aristocrat and fellow artist.
Director and studio
The anime is directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and produced by WIT Studio.
FAQ
When will Le Prisme de l’amour be available on Netflix?
The series will be available globally on Netflix starting January 15.
What is Le Prisme de l’amour about?
It follows Lili Ichijoin, a Japanese student who moves to London to attend the Saint Thomas Art Academy, where she strives to become a painter while dealing with intense family pressure and a developing relationship with young aristocrat Kit Church.
Who is behind the creation and animation of the series?
The show is directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and the animation is produced by WIT Studio.
What themes does the series explore?
The anime tackles artistic ambition, class differences, family expectations, cross-cultural encounters and the emotional journey from adolescence to adulthood, all set against the backdrop of an early 20th century London art academy.
