Director and Producers Discuss 'The Dangers in My Heart' Adaptation Success and Upcoming Movie

Director Hiroaki Akagi and producers Yosuke Sakurai and Kazuki Endo recently sat down to discuss the massive, unexpected success of The Dangers in My Heart anime adaptation. The team expressed genuine surprise at the show's reception, noting they never anticipated the level of hype, especially internationally. The series managed to top Anime Corner's weekly rankings every time it aired, setting a new record for the publication.

Akagi confirmed he was offered the directing role, immediately read Norio Sakurai's manga, and signed on because he thought the material was fantastic. A major focus for the staff was nailing the small details, ensuring Ichikawa and Yamada's subtle gestures and inner feelings came across without heavy dialogue. Akagi was adamant about maintaining realism in the anime’s visual style, pushing back against using exaggerated manga backgrounds. He favored lifelike settings to support the story's deep dive into character psychology, believing this grounded approach gave weight even to the jokes.

Producer Sakurai had read the manga previously but reread every chapter when the pitch came through, feeling it was a perfect fit for Akagi. It was Producer Endo who initially pitched the adaptation after being captivated by volumes two and three of the source material. The final product, they feel, perfectly balances the serious character development with the lighter comedic elements straight from Sakurai’s work.

During Anime Expo 2025, the crew offered fans an exclusive preview. Sakurai, who joined Shin-Ei Animation a decade ago, sees Dangers as a project that broadens the studio’s range alongside established hits like Doraemon, Shin-chan, and Teasing Master Takagi-san. Viewers internationally really latched onto the development of Ichikawa and Yamada's independence within this love comedy framework, a success Sakurai attributed to the inherent relatability of their journey.

The team confirmed that the upcoming movie is set to expand on this foundation, featuring fresh scenes alongside key anime moments from opening to end. Endo confirmed this unfolding love story is slated for Japanese theaters on February 13, 2026, with U.S. screenings following shortly after.