Anime fans and K‑Pop lovers, get ready to stan – Girl Crush, the K‑Pop‑themed coming‑of‑age manga by Midori Tayama, is officially getting a TV anime adaptation. The news dropped recently, and it’s already making waves as Japan’s first anime to put K‑Pop front and center.
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From Digital Hit to Anime Spotlight
Girl Crush began its journey in November 2020 on the LINE Manga platform under Shinchosha’s Comic Nicola label, blending the worlds of fashion magazine Nicola and manga magazine Comic Bunch.
Since then, it has amassed a devoted following, with over 900,000 copies in circulation across digital and print editions – a remarkable feat for a series that began online.
The story follows Tenka Momose, a high school student who’s seemingly perfect at everything – except love. Her life takes a turn when she meets Erian Satou, a classmate with big dreams of becoming a K‑Pop idol.
Erian’s passion draws Tenka into the intense world of auditions, training, and the K‑Pop industry itself. It’s a tale of ambition, friendship, and discovering that perfection isn’t always enough.
Anime Announcement and What’s Next
The anime adaptation was announced this week, with production handled by TBS Television in collaboration with ENISHIYA. It’s set to air on TBS and other networks, though specific release dates, staff, and cast have yet to be revealed.
To celebrate the announcement, Midori Tayama herself drew a new “inspire visual” featuring Tenka with a confident, compelling gaze, surrounded by memorable lines from the manga that capture her energy, realism, and inner strength. A short announcement video also debuted, blending the new art with manga panels to highlight the series’ mix of stage shine and trainee struggle.
Tayama shared her excitement, saying she gets thrilled every time she reads the script and is deeply grateful to the staff for their understanding and respect for her work. She can’t wait to see Tenka perform on screen and hopes fans are just as eager.
Why This Anime Matters
Girl Crush isn’t just another idol story – it’s poised to be the first Japanese TV anime to fully embrace K‑Pop as its central theme. That’s a major milestone, especially given the global popularity of K‑Pop and its growing influence on anime and youth culture.
The manga’s success isn’t limited to Japan. Its Korean edition won the “New Work of the Year” award at the 2021 RIDIBOOKS Comic Awards, proving that its themes resonate even in K‑Pop’s home turf.
With new manga volumes on the horizon – volume 5 in print and volume 9 digitally hitting shelves soon – the anime announcement arrives at the perfect time to boost momentum and bring new fans into the fold.
All eyes are now on the production team as fans await news on voice actors, music, choreography, and how the anime will capture the electric energy of K‑Pop. If the manga is any indication, this adaptation could shine bright.
Stay tuned as more details emerge, and the countdown to Tenka’s debut on screen begins.