Get ready for a new dose of slightly naughty love comedy! Airi Katsura and Keishi Nishikida’s Grapara! manga is being adapted into a live-action series, set to premiere on July 6th. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting adaptation.
What’s Grapara! About?
Grapara! is a manga series that revolves around Shinobu Sumida, a gravure-otaku, and Sakura Katsuragi, an aspiring gravure idol. The story kicks off when Shinobu saves Sakura from a stalker, leading them to live together. Now that Shinobu is living with his dream girl, he faces a new challenge: protecting Sakura from the seedy side of the entertainment industry, including perverted photographers, corrupt managers, and harassing producers. The central question becomes: Can Shinobu safeguard Sakura’s chastity? The manga is described as an NTR (Netorare) love comedy, but in this context, it seems to focus on preventing NTR situations rather than depicting them.
Live-Action Series Details
- Premiere Date: July 6th
- Broadcasting Channel: ABC TV’s “Drama L” programming block
- Streaming Platform: DMM TV
- Lead Actress: Ruka Kitano (former SKE48 member) as Sakura Katsuragi
- Director: Kenji Kuwashima
- Scriptwriter: Shinya Hokimoto
Production
The live-action adaptation is directed by Kenji Kuwashima and written by Shinya Hokimoto. Former SKE48 member Ruka Kitano will play the main character, Sakura Katsuragi.
Manga Information
Grapara! launched in August 2023 on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket service. The first compiled book volume was released in December 2023, with the sixth volume hitting shelves on March 6, 2025. Airi Katsura is also known as the original creator of the Karimazakari adult dōjinshi manga.
What to Expect
Given the manga’s plot, the live-action series will likely be a mix of comedy, romance, and perhaps some suspense as Shinobu tries to shield Sakura from unwanted advances and navigate the challenges of the gravure industry. Fans of the manga can look forward to seeing their favorite characters brought to life, while newcomers can anticipate an entertaining and somewhat risqué story.
Other Live-Action Anime Adaptations
Grapara! joins a growing list of manga and anime being adapted into live-action series and films. Here are a few notable examples:
- Say I Love You: This shōjo manga by Kanae Hazuki was adapted into an anime series and a live-action film. The film was directed and written by Asako Hyuga, starring Haruna Kawaguchi and Sota Fukushi.
- My Neighbor Seki: Takuma Morishige’s comedy manga was adapted into an anime series and a live-action drama. The live-action drama was titled Tonari no Seki-kun to Rumi-chan no Jishō.
- Kakegurui: Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura’s gambling manga has been adapted into an anime series and a live-action series on Netflix, titled BET.
Final Thoughts
With its blend of comedy, romance, and industry intrigue, the Grapara! live-action series promises to be an engaging adaptation for fans of the manga and newcomers alike. Be sure to tune in on July 6th to see Sakura and Shinobu’s story unfold on screen!
