High School Rom-Com Manga 'Kakunaru Ue wa' Secures Official TV Anime Adaptation

The acclaimed manga series Kakunaru Ue wa, known internationally as Now That We Draw, has officially confirmed its television anime adaptation. This highly anticipated announcement was formally made on Friday, November 21, 2025, coinciding with the launch of a dedicated official website. The announcement immediately disclosed crucial production details, including the core staff and primary voice cast.

Production Staff and Studio Details

Animation production will be handled by Studio ROLL2, with Infinite providing comprehensive production support to ensure a high-quality realization of the source material. The adaptation features an impressive creative team led by Director Shunsuke Ishikawa, who is recognized for his directorial work on BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-. Deko Akao, known for her masterful series composition and script supervision on titles such as The Case Study of Vanitas, will oversee the series composition. Character designs, essential for bringing the aspiring artists to life, are entrusted to Hiromi Nakagawa, celebrated for her charming aesthetic in Wataten! An Angel Flew Down to Me.

Voice Cast Introduces Key Protagonists

The leading voice cast members have also been confirmed. Ayumu Murase will voice the reserved protagonist, Yūki Uehara, while Sayumi Suzushiro takes on the role of his energetic counterpart, Niina Miyamoto. Both characters are high school students navigating the intense pressures of aspiring manga creation.

The narrative centers on Uehara, a timid student whose heartfelt romantic comedy manuscript is rejected by his editor due to a fundamental lack of romantic realism. Spiraling into creative despair, Uehara finds an unlikely partner in Miyamoto, a bright and outgoing classmate who has faced similar professional criticism. In a desperate, yet comedic, bid to inject authentic experience into their respective works, the pair decides to embark on a strictly artificial, fake romantic relationship. This arrangement, despite their starkly contrasting temperaments and shared inexperience in actual dating, forms the dramatic and comedic backbone of the story.

Manga Background and International Licensing

The original manga is a collaborative effort between writer Kyū Takahata and illustrator Yūji Kaba. It has been serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine since its launch in February 2023. The series has already established a substantial following, having released five tankōbon volumes as of April 2025. The sixth volume is scheduled to hit shelves shortly thereafter on November 28, 2025. Fans in North America can access the serialization through Seven Seas Entertainment, which licenses the series, promising readers a hilarious romantic comedy that explores the difficulties of pursuing both creative success and first love. Anticipation remains high for forthcoming visual reveals and trailers, which are expected to showcase the vibrant personalities and comedic chaos inherent in this unique artistic and romantic journey.