Io Sakisaka’s popular shōjo manga Strobe Edge is set to receive a new live-action series adaptation, slated to premiere and stream this fall. Riko Fukumoto and Kyohei Takahashi will star in the series, which reunites the production staff behind WOWOW’s previous live-action adaptation of Sakisaka’s Blue Spring Ride manga.
New Live-Action Series Details
The upcoming Strobe Edge live-action series is being produced by WOWOW and will be released in two parts, with “Season 1” launching in the fall of 2025. Masato Kimura and Yūsuke Matsuda are returning to direct the series, while Sayaka Kuwamura is once again penning the script, continuing their collaboration from the Blue Spring Ride live-action adaptations.
Key Cast Members
- Ninako Kinoshita: Riko Fukumoto
- Ren Ichinose: Kyohei Takahashi
The series will bring to life the romantic entanglements of high school student Ninako Kinoshita as she navigates her feelings for the popular Ren Ichinose.
The Story of Strobe Edge
Strobe Edge centers on Ninako Kinoshita, a first-year high school student who has never experienced love. Her perception of love begins to change dramatically after she encounters Ren Ichinose, a handsome and enigmatic classmate who is widely admired by other girls. As Ninako gets to know Ren, she gradually falls in love with him, even as she discovers he is already in a committed relationship with model Mayuka Korenaga. The manga explores themes of unrequited love, friendship, and self-discovery within a high school setting.
Viz Media published the 10-volume manga in English, describing the story as Ninako questioning the true meaning of love after meeting Ren and how he profoundly changes her world with just a few words and a smile.
Previous Adaptations and Manga Background
Io Sakisaka launched Strobe Edge in Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine in 2007, concluding the series in 2010. The manga has been well-received, with Viz Media publishing all ten volumes in North America. The manga was also recognized by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Young Adult Library Services Association, making its 2014 list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens.
2015 Live-Action Film
Strobe Edge previously inspired a live-action film adaptation that premiered in Japan on March 14, 2015.
- Director: Ryūichi Hiroki
- Ninako Kinoshita (Film): Kasumi Arimura
- Ren Ichinose (Film): Sōta Fukushi
The film also featured Yuki Yamada as Takumi Andō, Arisa Satō as Mayuka Korenaga, Jingi Irie as Daiki Korenaga, and Yuina Kuroshima as Mao Sugimoto. The band GReeeeN contributed their hit song “Ai Uta” as the film’s theme, performed by a sister female vocalist group named Whiteeeen.
Sakisaka’s other notable works include Blue Spring Ride (Ao Haru Ride), Sakura, Saku!, and Love Me, Love Me Not, all of which have also been released in English by Viz Media. The staff reunion for the Strobe Edge series, following their success with Blue Spring Ride, suggests a consistent artistic vision for Sakisaka’s beloved romance stories.
