TO Books announced that the emotional fantasy novel series The Man I Loved Asked Me to Die Instead of My Sister: Why Has the Man Who Married My Sister Now Come to Me? (Koishita Hito wa, Imouto no Kawari ni Shindekure to Itta. Imouto to Kekkon shita Kataomoi Aite ga Naze Imasara Watashi no Moto ni? To Omottara) will be adapted into an anime.
At the heart of the story is Lady Wisteria, whose one desire is to become worthy of the man she loves - Lord Bright. Her life changes dramatically when her younger sister, Rosalie, is chosen to become the new Guardian of the Twilight Realm, a role that forbids her from ever returning home. Out of desperation, Lord Bright begs Wisteria to take her sister's place. Wisteria reluctantly agrees, knowing her mastery of magic and her resistance to the deadly miasma threatening the world of mortals make her the only one capable of fulfilling this sacred duty. Heartbroken, she journeys into the Twilight Realm accompanied by the holy sword Sarthys. Over two decades later, a mysterious stranger appears, demanding she surrender the sword and challenging her very existence. Who is he, and why does he bear an uncanny resemblance to Lord Bright?
The original light novel, written by Mizuki Nagano, first appeared on the web fiction platform Shousetsuka ni Narou in late 2020 and ran until 2022 before being taken down. TO Books began releasing the story in print in September 2021, featuring illustrations by Saori Toyota, known for her work on The Legend of the Legendary Heroes and Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious. As of January 10, eight volumes have been published, with total circulation exceeding 1.1 million copies, including digital formats. A manga adaptation is also currently in publication.
The series consistently ranks among the top ten titles in the This Light Novel Is Amazing! guidebook's tankobon category, holding a firm place from 2023 through 2026. In 2024, it proudly captured the number one spot, cementing its reputation as a standout fantasy drama with a blend of sacrifice, romance, and mystery.
