According to Moon Phase, Tonari no 801-chan is being developed into an anime! We’ve always wanted an anime about an eggplant, right?

…If you’re confused because of the number 801’s association with yaoi– which comes about thanks to Japanese cellphone speak (8=ya, 0=o, 1=i) –that’s only understandable, since US yaoi publisher 801 Media also has a mascot named 801-chan.

But the one that’s getting an anime is the mascot for the Misono Bridge 801 shopping center in Kyoto, and though his popularity is generally credited in part to the weirndess of the character combined with the yaoi association, he isn’t BL-related at all. He was developed into a popular manga starting in 2006– volume 3, which had the anime announcement, just came out. The manga is now being developed into an anime. Whee!