Norimitsu Kaihō, known for his work on the hit series School-Live!, is set to launch a new manga titled Akarui Mirai (meaning “Bright Future”). The announcement was made in the September issue of Houbunsha’s Manga Time Kirara Forward magazine, with the new series slated to begin on August 22. Kaihō will be writing the story, while Kurageso will handle the art.
A New “Bright Future” for Kaihō
The upcoming manga Akarui Mirai marks another addition to Norimitsu Kaihō’s diverse portfolio. While specific plot details for Akarui Mirai are yet to be fully disclosed, the title itself, “Bright Future,” suggests a potentially different tone from some of his previous, more psychologically intense works.
Kaihō’s History with Manga Time Kirara Forward
This new serialization brings Kaihō back to Manga Time Kirara Forward, the same magazine where his widely recognized series School-Live! (Gakkō Gurashi!) was serialized. School-Live!, which blended slice-of-life elements with a surprising horror twist involving a zombie apocalypse, ran from May 2012 to November 2019. Kaihō also penned a sequel titled Gakkō Gurashi! ~Otayori~ in the same magazine, which ran from June 2020 to August 2021.
Norimitsu Kaihō’s Diverse Works
Norimitsu Kaihō is a prolific writer with a significant impact across various media, including manga, light novels, and anime.
Previous Manga Engagements
Beyond School-Live!, Kaihō has been involved in several other manga projects. He was credited for the original work of Deep Insanity: Nirvana, which launched in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine in January 2020 and concluded in March 2023. This “discovery dark action” manga revolved around a mysterious coma-inducing illness and an asylum discovered in Antarctica. He also worked on Shi mo mata Shi suru mono nareba and Robotics;Notes – Senomiya Misaki no Mihappyou Shuki.
Contributions to Anime and Other Media
Kaihō is also a recognized name in the anime industry, having contributed to the scripts and series composition of numerous popular titles. He was the series composer and scriptwriter for the anime adaptation of his own School-Live! manga. His other notable anime credits include being the head writer for both Danganronpa 3 anime arcs, co-writing Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka, and co-writing the original anime Akudama Drive. Most recently, he wrote for the Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers anime. He has also written light novels and game scenarios, including works for the Guilty Gear franchise.
