Industry anime is back with another exciting surprise for fans. This time, the glittering and fiercely competitive world of K-Pop idols is the main focus of the Girl Crush anime adaptation that has just been announced by TBS.
The merger of two giant entities between Japanese animation and Korean music is certainly a highlight in itself. This move is considered strategic considering the large fan base of the two genres today.
Girl Crush Anime Adaptation Pioneers K-Pop Theme
TBS has officially confirmed that Midori Tayama's manga has been greenlit for an anime adaptation. The series is scheduled to air on TBS channels and affiliated networks. TBS TV along with ENISHIYA is fully responsible for the planning and production of this project.
What makes this announcement so significant is the production's claim about the theme. They claim that this is the first Japanese television anime to explicitly feature K-Pop as its main theme. This move is considered a bold breakthrough, considering that usually music-themed anime focus more on Japan's domestic entertainment industry.
The arrival of Girl Crush in animated format is proof that the Japanese anime industry is starting to embrace the K-Pop phenomenon that has become an integral part of today's pop culture. Along with the news of this adaptation, the production team released the following key visual latest. In addition, a promotional video featuring excerpts from the manga has also been released in honor of this announcement.
Although the exact release date, main staff lineup, and voice cast have yet to be revealed in detail, the production promises further announcements in the future. Those of you who love the dynamics of the entertainment industry should certainly look forward to how Japanese studios visualize the distinctive K-Pop feel in a 2D animation format.
Tenka Momose's Ambition to Break Into Korean Agencies in Girl Crush
The narrative of the story centers on a character named Tenka Momose. She is described as a quiet and withdrawn person. However, she later realized that the best way to protect herself was to be the best at everything. Tenka lives securely on top of her position as a popular girl, admired by many for her poise and high academic achievements.
She uses this advantage as a shield from her surroundings. However, his orderly world is suddenly shaken by the presence of Erian Sato. Erian is a classmate who looks ordinary, but has big dreams and an explosive ambition to become a K-Pop idol.
At first, Tenka underestimated Erian's ambition. However, Erian's intense passion sparked jealousy and unexpected inspiration in Tenka. This interaction drastically changed the course of Tenka's life. He finally decides to pursue his own idol dreams and is determined to audition at a famous Korean talent agency.
The problem arose when he realized that in-depth research and the ability to memorize dance moves were not enough. The judges are looking for something more than just perfect technique. This premise offers an interesting question: Does Tenka stand a chance when her only skill is being technically “perfect” but may lack “soul”? This is a coming-of-age story that highlights the strict discipline, merciless competition, and emotional sacrifices of the K-Pop industry.
Manga and the International Response
Midori Tayama launched this manga under her Comic Nicola label. Shinchosha in the Line Manga service in November 2020. By the end of 2025, Shinchosha had released eight digital volumes and four print volumes. The popularity of the series has been massive with circulation exceeding 900,000 copies. This figure shows that readers really enjoy the drama and reality presented by Tayama.
The quality of this story is evident through prestigious international recognition. The Korean translated version of the manga even won the award of New Work of the Year at the Ridibooks Comic Awards 2021. This fact is interesting because stories made by Japanese mangaka have been validated by Korean audiences, where the K-Pop industry itself originates.
For global readers, Viz Media has published the third volume in October. In addition, Comikey has also released the manga in English since 2021. This availability in multiple languages expands the story's reach to a wider audience.
This adaptation is strategically positioned to capitalize on the high global interest in Korean music today. For those of you who follow the development of VIZ Media and Comikey, the presence of this anime is certainly a perfect complement to the experience of reading the manga.
Source: Comic Natalie via Anime News Network
