K-Pop Dreams Take Flight: “Girl Crush” Manga Announces TV Anime, New Volumes Launching December 9
The acclaimed K-Pop idol manga “Girl Crush” is set to captivate audiences worldwide with its upcoming TV anime adaptation, alongside the release of its 5th print and 9th digital volumes on December 9. This series, celebrating the journey of aspiring K-Pop stars, has garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim, becoming the first Japanese TV anime to center on the vibrant world of K-Pop.
A Phenomenon Born from Digital Pages
Authored by Aoi Tayama, “Girl Crush” began its journey in 2019 on LINE Manga’s “Comic Nicola” label, a joint venture by “Nicola” and “Comic Bunch.” It quickly captivated young female readers with its compelling narrative of growth and challenges faced by girls striving to become K-Pop idols. The series has since surpassed 900,000 copies in cumulative sales, a testament to its widespread appeal. Its success isn’t limited to Japan; the Korean edition received the “New Work of the Year Award” at the 2021 RIDIBOOKS COMIC AWARD in K-Pop’s homeland, South Korea, marking its international recognition.
The story follows high school freshman Momose Tenka, a talented singer and dancer with a perfect physique, yet unlucky in love. Her life takes a dramatic turn upon meeting Sato Erian, a fervent K-Pop enthusiast, whose unwavering dedication illuminates Tenka’s path toward a K-Pop idol dream. Their journey, filled with youthful passion and heartfelt struggles, begins to unfold.
Dive into the first chapter here: https://kuragebunch.com/episode/3269754496315793955
Stay connected with the series:
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X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/girlcrush_comic
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlcrush_comic
“Girl Crush” Makes History with First Japanese K-Pop Anime
The excitement surrounding “Girl Crush” reached new heights with the announcement of its TV anime adaptation. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first Japanese TV anime to feature K-Pop as its central theme, promising to bring the vibrant, competitive, and emotionally rich world of K-Pop idol training to life. Produced jointly by TBS Television and ENISHIYA, the anime is scheduled to air on TBS and other networks.
The TV anime announcement sparked a massive reaction across social media, with fans eagerly anticipating the adaptation. A newly drawn inspirational visual by author Aoi Tayama and a commemorative TV anime announcement movie further fueled the anticipation. Fans on social media erupted with excitement, with one passionate reader exclaiming, “Finally! My K-Pop dreams are coming true through this anime!”
Watch the TV anime announcement movie here: https://youtu.be/MZZ702MWDx0
TV Anime Overview:
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Title: “Girl Crush”
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Broadcast Information: Scheduled to air on TBS and other networks
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Staff:
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Original Work: Aoi Tayama, “Girl Crush” (Shinchosha Bunch Comics)
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Planning & Production: TBS Television, ENISHIYA
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New Comic Volumes: Continuing the Journey
On December 9, both the 5th print volume and 9th digital volume of “Girl Crush” will be released, offering readers new chapters in the idols’ journey.
Print Comics Volume 5
Volume 5 sees Tenka facing the monthly evaluation after a last-minute strategy change. Despite initial success, Tenka collapses, leading to an inevitable outcome. Determined to use this setback as a springboard for greater heights, Tenka receives an offer to appear in a music video. While it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she questions if she’s truly ready. Meanwhile, a new project kicks off, with Jiwoo and Minchae encountering their own obstacles, but they must push forward. This volume promises an exhilarating ride!
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Title: Girl Crush / Volume 5 (Print Comics)
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Author: Aoi Tayama
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Release Date: December 9, 2025 (Tuesday)
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Format: B6
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Price: 726 yen (tax included)
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ISBN: 978-4-10-772892-0
Exclusive Purchase Benefits for Print Comics Volume 5:
Special commemorative papers are available at participating Bunch Comics retailers, support bookstores, and Kikkuya bookstores.
Additionally, Animate stores and Animate online shop will offer an exclusive “Profile Card (1 type)” to customers purchasing “Girl Crush” Volume 5.
For more details on Animate benefits, please visit: https://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/pn/%E3%80%90%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%80%91%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%83%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%285%29/pd/3314637/
Digital Comics Volume 9
Volume 9 plunges into the highly anticipated three-company joint audition arc, where new paths begin to open up. As trainees with distinct styles gather from various agencies, what fate awaits Tenka and the LJH team?
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Title: Girl Crush / Volume 9 (Digital Comics)
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Author: Aoi Tayama
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Release Date: December 9, 2025 (Tuesday)
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Price: 726 yen (tax included)
The Future of K-Pop and Japanese Entertainment
The “Girl Crush” anime adaptation signifies a fascinating convergence of Japanese storytelling and the global phenomenon of K-Pop. As the first Japanese TV anime to tackle this theme, it holds the potential to introduce K-Pop culture to new audiences through a unique narrative lens, further bridging the gap between Japanese and Korean entertainment. This initiative not only highlights the growing influence of K-Pop but also opens new avenues for Japanese animation to explore contemporary global trends, potentially inspiring a new wave of cross-cultural creative projects. It’s a vibrant step forward, promising to enrich the landscape of kawaii culture abroad with fresh, idol-centric narratives.
