The official production website for the upcoming television anime adaptation of Kakunaru Ue wa, known in English as Now That We Draw, has officially announced a sweeping array of updates. Originally created as a collaborative romantic comedy manga effort by writer Kyuu Takahata and illustrator Yuuji Kaba, the animated series has garnered significant attention following the release of its first official promotional video, a fresh character visual, and an extensive roster of supporting staff members. Scheduled to make its official broadcast debut in January 2027, the project is steadily moving through its production pipeline under the banner of animation studio ROLL2.
The latest wave of announcements provides industry analysts, manga enthusiasts, and prospective viewers with a clearer picture of the creative forces shaping the adaptation. While primary production roles were previously disclosed, the latest update fills in the crucial technical and artistic positions necessary to bring Takahata and Kaba’s illustrated world to motion. As anticipation builds toward the January 2027 premiere window, the production committee continues to rollout promotional material designed to highlight the romantic comedy’s unique artistic sensibilities and narrative charm.
Comprehensive Breakdown of the Newly Announced Production Staff
The newly revealed secondary staff members bring a wealth of industry experience from various acclaimed anime projects, signaling a high level of technical polish for the forthcoming series. Momoka Izumi, recognized for serving as an animation director on Call of the Night (Yofukashi no Uta), has officially boarded the project to oversee sub-character designs. The vibrant aesthetic of the series will be guided by color designer Yurie Matsuura, whose previous credits include The Elusive Samurai and Studio Hibari productions like Days With My Stepsister (Koi wa Futago de Warikirenai).
In the background and environmental art department, Arei Saiga—noted for contributions to Magic Lumière Inc. (Kabushikigaisha Magi-Lumière)—has been appointed as the art director. The visual framing and photographic atmosphere of the animation will be managed by Director of Photography Hayato Kifune of EOTA, drawing on past technical expertise from projects such as Nippon Sangoku. Meanwhile, the intricate demands of the 3DCG elements have been entrusted to Masashi Watanabe, who previously lent technical proficiency to Lessons in Personnel Management and Akebi’s Sailor Uniform (Akebi-chan no Sailor-fuku).
Pacing and narrative flow within the editing suite will be handled by Mai Hasegawa of editz, whose credits include the massive sports phenomenon Blue Lock. On the auditory front, sound direction has been placed in the capable hands of Fumiyuki Gou, known for work on Management of a Novice Alchemist and My Sister, My Writer (Tomodachi no Imouto ga Ore ni dake Uzai). Sound effects will be meticulously crafted by Ryuuta Nakahara, adding depth to the comedic and romantic interactions. Finally, the musical score that underscores the emotional beats of the series will be composed by Yoshiaki Miura, completing a robust and seasoned production lineup.
Core Creative Leadership and Studio Infrastructure
These newly announced technical roles complement the core creative team that was previously established for the adaptation. Shunsuke Ishikawa, celebrated for directing Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, is spearheading the project as director. Ishikawa’s directorial vision is being executed at animation studio ROLL2, an enterprise dedicated to bringing dynamic visual storytelling to the screen.
The vital task of series composition and scriptwriting has been placed with Deko Akao, a veteran industry writer widely recognized for contributions to prominent titles such as Witch Watch, Komi Can’t Communicate, and Noragami. To ensure the character designs translate seamlessly from the printed page to the animated screen, Hiromi Nakagawa—whose previous work includes Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence (Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi) and If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord—has been tapped to serve as the primary character designer. The synergy between Ishikawa’s direction, Akao’s structural pacing, and Nakagawa’s visual adaptation forms the foundational backbone of the entire production.
Chronological Timeline of the Manga and Media Franchise
The journey of Kakunaru Ue wa from a serialized magazine feature to an internationally recognized multimedia property spans several years of steady growth and commercial milestone achievements. Understanding the chronology of the franchise provides critical context for the momentum driving the upcoming anime adaptation.
February 2023 marked the official commercial launch of the property. Creators Kyuu Takahata and Yuuji Kaba debuted the romantic comedy manga series within the pages of Hakusensha’s seinen-focused magazine, Young Animal. The publication quickly carved out a dedicated readership due to its engaging premise, relatable character dynamics, and sharp comedic timing centered around creative endeavors and interpersonal relationships.
As chapters continued to accumulate in Young Animal, Hakusensha began compiling the serialized instalments into tankōbon volumes. The commercial footprint of the manga expanded rapidly throughout 2023 and 2024. By April 28, Hakusensha had published the seventh collected volume in Japan. This was followed closely by the release of the eighth volume on September 29, demonstrating a reliable and swift publication cadence that satisfied domestic consumer demand.
International expansion followed shortly after the domestic success of the title. In September 2024, North American manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment officially announced that it had licensed Kakunaru Ue wa for an English-language release, introducing the series to a broader global audience under its localized banner. Seven Seas maintained a steady distribution schedule, culminating in the release of the fifth English volume on July 28, with plans already solidified for the sixth volume to hit shelves on December 22.
The announcement of the television anime adaptation on Thursday represents the pinnacle of the franchise’s commercial trajectory thus far. By securing a broadcast window for January 2027, the production committee has afforded the studio ample time to maintain rigorous animation standards while allowing the source manga sufficient room to build out its narrative arcs in print.
Analysis of Market Implications and Industry Positioning
The transition of Kakunaru Ue wa into a fully fledged anime series highlights ongoing trends within the contemporary anime production ecosystem. Romantic comedy titles, particularly those featuring unique subcultures, artistic pursuits, or idiosyncratic character pairings, continue to enjoy high priority greenlight status among Japanese publishers and production committees. By utilizing the pages of Young Animal—a publication renowned for cultivating diverse demographic hits—Hakusensha has once again demonstrated a strategic pipeline for cross-media adaptation.
The involvement of studio ROLL2, alongside seasoned industry veterans like director Shunsuke Ishikawa and writer Deko Akao, suggests a calculated approach to maximizing the crossover appeal of the property. Romantic comedies require precise comedic timing, emotive character expressions, and consistent visual fidelity to retain viewer engagement over a standard television broadcast cour. The assembled staff, featuring specialists from high-profile action, drama, and slice-of-life productions, indicates that the committee intends to deliver an adaptation that transcends basic, low-budget formulaic approaches.
Furthermore, the simultaneous availability of the manga in English via Seven Seas Entertainment positions the franchise advantageously in the global marketplace. Historically, anime adaptations serve as powerful catalysts for manga sales, often resulting in significant spikes in international volume circulation. With the fifth and sixth English volumes circulating through North American markets ahead of the January 2027 premiere, international fans will have robust access to the source material well in advance of the broadcast, potentially amplifying simulcast streaming interest and merchandise demand worldwide.
Official Promotional Assets and Future Outlook
The release of the first promotional video and the inaugural character visual serves as the starting gun for the marketing campaign leading up to the January 2027 premiere. The newly unveiled visual provides a direct look at the character art produced under Hiromi Nakagawa and Momoka Izumi, offering fans an accurate preview of the aesthetic tone the series aims to strike.
As the production progresses through its scheduled timeline, additional announcements regarding primary voice casting, opening and ending theme song artists, and specific broadcast network affiliations are anticipated in the coming months. For now, the combination of a talented, cross-disciplinary staff, an established source material backed by Hakusensha and Seven Seas, and a well-paced production schedule at ROLL2 places Kakunaru Ue wa in a strong position as one of the notable upcoming romantic comedy titles to watch in the years leading up to 2027.
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