Vocalist lia’s band shallm will perform the opening theme song for the Now That We Draw anime adaptation

The upcoming television anime adaptation of Kyō Takahata and Yōji Kaba’s romantic comedy manga, Now That We Draw (Kakunaru Ue wa), has confirmed a significant musical addition to its production. On Thursday, the official website for the series announced that the band shallm, fronted by the acclaimed vocalist lia, has been tapped to perform the opening theme song, titled "Kimiiro Hikari" (The Light of Your Color). This track was composed specifically for the anime, marking a creative collaboration intended to capture the unique, meta-narrative spirit of the source material. The series is currently slated for a January 2027 broadcast debut, positioning it as a key entry in the winter 2027 anime season.

Production and Creative Leadership

The anime adaptation is being helmed by director Shunsuke Ishikawa, known for his work on the commercially successful BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-. The project is being produced by the studio ROLL2, with the production house Infinite overseeing the broader development. A cornerstone of the production’s narrative structure is the involvement of series composition writer Deko Akao. Akao, a veteran in the industry with credits ranging from the eccentric Arakawa Under the Bridge to the hit series Komi Can’t Communicate, is expected to bring a nuanced approach to the manga’s complex, self-referential humor.

Character design duties have been assigned to Hiromi Nakagawa. Nakagawa’s portfolio, which includes visually distinct titles such as WATATEN!: an Angel Flew Down to Me and Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence, suggests an aesthetic focus on character-driven storytelling, which is essential for a narrative that relies heavily on the evolving chemistry between its two leads.

The Source Material: A Meta-Romance

Now That We Draw, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine starting in 2023, has garnered attention for its satirical take on the creative process of manga authorship. The story follows Yūki Uehara, a high school student who is deeply invested in the tropes of the romantic comedy genre. Uehara prides himself on having designed the "perfect" heroine—a character defined by bashfulness, an airheaded nature, and total chastity. However, his aspirations suffer a blow when an editor at his dream publishing house rejects his work, citing it as trite, unrealistic, and derivative.

This rejection serves as the catalyst for his encounter with Niina Miyamoto, a bubbly and attractive classmate who is also an aspiring manga artist. Miyamoto, having faced similar critiques regarding her own work, enters into an unconventional arrangement with Uehara: a "fake" relationship designed to provide them with the romantic experience they both lack, which they hope to channel into their respective manga projects. The irony of the narrative lies in the fact that neither protagonist matches the idealized archetypes they have created in their own stories, leading to a series of comedic complications and genuine growth.

Seven Seas Entertainment, which holds the license for the English publication of the manga, has released five volumes as of July 2025. The Japanese serialization continues to maintain a steady following, with Hakusensha releasing the eighth compiled volume on September 29, 2026.

Cast and Character Dynamics

The casting for the lead roles has been finalized, with industry stalwarts chosen to portray the contrasting personalities of the protagonists. Ayumu Murase, known for a wide range of vocal performances, will voice the protagonist Yūki Uehara. His portrayal will need to navigate the character’s transition from a rigid, trope-obsessed teenager to a more grounded individual. Opposing him is Sayumi Suzushiro, cast as Niina Miyamoto. Suzushiro’s ability to balance comedic timing with emotional depth is expected to be a primary driver of the show’s success, as Miyamoto is characterized by her vibrancy, which stands in stark contrast to Uehara’s more cynical, analytical approach to romance.

Musical Significance and the Role of shallm

The announcement of shallm as the performers for the opening theme is a strategic decision for the production. By selecting a band that aligns with the emotional tone of the series, the production committee aims to establish an immediate thematic connection with the audience. Lia, the vocalist for shallm, brings a significant pedigree to the project. Her involvement provides a level of industry prestige that often attracts legacy fans of the medium, while the band’s contemporary sound is intended to resonate with the younger demographic reading the manga in Young Animal.

The title of the song, "Kimiiro Hikari," implies a focus on the personal growth that occurs when two people observe one another’s perspectives—a direct reflection of the show’s plot. Music in anime adaptations frequently serves as a bridge between the reader’s expectation of the source material and the viewer’s experience of the animation, and the early announcement of the theme song indicates a high level of confidence in the show’s overall production quality.

Industry Context and Market Implications

The production of Now That We Draw enters a crowded landscape for romantic comedy anime. Recent years have seen a surge in titles that deconstruct the romance genre, such as My Dress-Up Darling or Kaguya-sama: Love is War. By focusing on the "manga-about-making-manga" angle, the show distinguishes itself from pure romance titles.

The involvement of a major publisher like Hakusensha, combined with a studio like ROLL2 and the production resources of Infinite, suggests that this title is being positioned for international distribution. The licensing by Seven Seas Entertainment in the North American market demonstrates that there is a proven demand for this specific genre of manga. The January 2027 premiere date is also strategically significant, as it follows the busy fall season and allows the series to capture the audience’s attention during the winter, a period often associated with high viewership numbers for character-focused dramas and comedies.

Timeline of Development

• 2023: The manga series, Kakunaru Ue wa (Now That We Draw), begins serialization in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine.
• July 28, 2026: Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the fifth volume of the manga in English.
• September 24, 2026: The official website for the anime adaptation releases its first full promotional video, confirming the staff list and the January 2027 debut window.
• September 29, 2026: Hakusensha releases the eighth compiled book volume in Japan.
• October 8, 2026: The production committee announces that shallm will perform the opening theme, "Kimiiro Hikari."
• January 2027: Scheduled premiere of the television anime.

Analytical Outlook

The success of the Now That We Draw anime will likely hinge on its ability to translate the internal monologues and meta-commentary of the manga into a visual medium. Directing the series is Shunsuke Ishikawa, whose experience with high-energy sports anime will be tested as he transitions into the slower-paced, character-driven environment of a romantic comedy. However, the synergy between the production staff—specifically the inclusion of Deko Akao for screenwriting—points toward a faithful adaptation that understands the inherent humor of the source material.

Furthermore, the choice of a specific band for the opening theme is an indicator of the importance of the music-marketing loop in the current anime industry. By aligning the brand of shallm with the thematic content of the anime, the producers are creating a multi-layered marketing campaign that seeks to engage both anime enthusiasts and fans of the band. As the January 2027 release date approaches, the industry will be watching to see if the series can successfully bridge the gap between niche manga appeal and mainstream anime success. Given the high-profile staff and the consistent performance of the manga, the adaptation is well-positioned to be one of the notable series of the winter 2027 season.