Idol Bound: Midori Tayama’s Smash Hit ‘Girl Crush’ Manga Confirmed for TV Anime Adaptation

The intersection of global music phenomena and Japanese animation has reached a new high. TBS Television and the dynamic animation studio Enishiya have formally revealed that Girl Crush, the immensely popular K-pop centric manga by Midori Tayama, is being adapted into a television anime series. This monumental announcement, delivered on November 26, 2025, is poised to reshape the industry landscape, as Girl Crush claims the distinction of being Japan's first ever anime completely dedicated to the vibrant world of K-pop culture and the demanding idol industry.

Fan enthusiasm has surged across both anime and global K-pop communities following the news. The source material boasts significant commercial success since its digital debut on Line Manga in November 2020. After transitioning to a print format under Shinchosha in April 2025, the series has already achieved a staggering circulation of over 900,000 copies, underscoring its widespread appeal among domestic readers.

International audiences are also captivated; Viz Media has released three English volumes, with Volume 4 hitting shelves on December 9, 2025, and Volume 5 slated for release on February 10, 2026.

The upcoming anime will introduce viewers to Tenka Momose, a brilliant student whose academic excellence contrasts sharply with her complete lack of experience in romance. Her path takes an electrifying detour upon meeting Erian Sato, a spirited K-pop devotee whose powerful passion proves infectious.

Inspired by Erian's dedication, Tenka ventures into an unknown world, ultimately following Erian to South Korea to audition at one of the country's premier entertainment agencies. The narrative expertly blends elements of intense competition, the sheer joy of musical performance, and a journey of profound self discovery, ensuring it connects deeply with contemporary viewers fascinated by the idol life.

To celebrate the confirmation, TBS unveiled a pulsating promotional trailer and teaser visual. This sneak peek utilized artwork from the manga, enhanced by specialized visual effects and a high energy musical track designed specifically to capture the signature aesthetics of K-pop.

While excitement is high, several crucial production details remain under wraps. A firm release date for the series has not yet been established, and the full roster of the voice cast and production crew has yet to be revealed. Furthermore, no major streaming service has formally claimed distribution rights, although analysts widely anticipate that global platforms like Crunchyroll are prime candidates, given the series' powerful genre appeal and undeniable commercial potential. This timely adaptation is strategically positioned to leverage the massive, ongoing global wave of K-pop entertainment, securing Girl Crush's place at the forefront of anime's increasingly globalized content.