ABEMA started streaming the full trailer for Vacance no Hōsoku (The Vacation Rules), a new live-action series with original concept, direction, and scripts by manga creator Akiko Higashimura (Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, Princess Jellyfish), on Tuesday. The trailer announces and previews the opening theme song “I Got Your Back” by the group ILLIT.

The series centers on Midori Hoshino, who decides to take a vacation away from the bustle of her daily life, and falls in love with Hoshino, the mysterious caretaker of the vacation estate at which she is staying.

Kanna Hashimoto (live-action Kingdom, Gintama) stars in the series as Midori Hoshino, while South Korean actor Chae Jong Hyeop (Nevertheless, Castaway Diva) stars as Nishigami.

The series will premiere on the ABEMA Special channel on July 27. 18 15-minute episodes will run for free on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is Higashimura’s first time directing and scripting a live-action series.

Higashimura’s Princess Jellyfish manga has inspired a 2010 television anime adaptation, as well as a 2014 live-action film, and a 2018 live-action series. Many of her other manga have inspired live-action adaptations as well, including Bishoku Tantei Akechi Gorō, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, Do You Remember Me? (Watashi no Koto o Oboeteimasu ka?), Himawari – Kenichi Legend, and A Fake Affair (Gisō Fūrin).

Kodansha USA Publishing released Higashimura’s Princess Jellyfish, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, and Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns manga in English. WEBTOON published A Fake Affair in English.

Higashimura’s Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey manga inspired a live-action film that opened in May 2025. The manga won the grand prize at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs’ 19th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards and the eighth Manga Taisho award in 2015. Seven Seas Entertainment released the manga in English.

Sources: ABEMA‘s YouTube channel, Comic Natalie

The official website for Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island), the first anime film adaptation of Nagano‘s Chiikawa manga, announced two more cast members on Tuesday. 

Momoka Terasawa and Sayumi Suzushiro voice Hitoha and Futaba, respectively, the two islanders that Chiikawa and friends encounter. 

The film is based on the manga’s arc posted on X (formerly Twitter) from March to November 2023, nicknamed the “Siren Arc” or “Island Arc.”

The film’s story begins with Chiikawa and Hachiware relaxing, when a rabbit with a flyer on its face suddenly appears. Hachiware looks at the flyer, which reads, “Invitation to a special island.” Lured by tempting promises including great rewards for simple hunts on the island and essentially free sweet and spicy dishes such as limited-edition island ramen and sweets, Chiikawa and friends decide to go to the island. Suspicious with the flyer, Rakko goes with them to the island. What awaits them when they arrive on the island?

Nagano is credited for the original story and is also writing the film’s script. Under Nagano‘s supervision, Kei Oikawa (Uma Musume Pretty Derby 3 seasons, Hinamatsuri, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax) is directing the film at Cygames Pictures. QTORY inc. is managing the production, and TOHO is distributing the film.

Additional staff members include:

Makoto Tanaka, who voices Hachiware, performs the opening theme song “Kutsuzure” (Shoe Sore). Series creator Nagano wrote the lyrics.

The film will open in Japan on July 24.

Nagano originally started serializing the manga under the title Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu on X (then Twitter) in January 2020.

The manga’s television anime premiered in April 2022, and it previously aired every Friday within Fuji TV‘s morning news and entertainment program Mezamashi Terebi, before it began airing twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays in April 2023. Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime, and is streaming it on HIDIVE with English subtitles.

Child actress Haruka Aoki (Liza in the Japanese dub of Mighty Express) voices the titular character Chiikawa as her first television anime voice acting role. Child actor Makoto Tanaka (Okko’s Inn) voices Hachiware. Ari Ozawa voices Usagi.

The anime’s new series premiered in July 2025. Before that, the anime had been rebroadcasting older “pivotal” episodes after its previous series ended regular airing of new episodes in April 2025.

Sources: Chiikawa film’s website, Comic Natalie

The staff for the television anime of Ezogingitune and illustrator DeeCHA‘s I Became a Legend After My 10 Year-Long Last Stand (Koko wa Ore ni Makasete Saki ni Ike to Ittekara 10-nen ga Tattara Densetsu ni Natteita.) light novel series confirmed on Tuesday that the anime has cast Chō as Gerberga, a chicken worshipped as divine by Luccira’s family. The character debuted in the anime’s third episode on Monday.

Square Enix and Comikey are releasing the novel series’ manga adaptation in English, and they describe the story:

With no other options, Luck makes the choice to hold the line against the unending demonic hordes alone, to make sure his comrades can escape with their lives. However, through a combination of fortune, skill, and ingenuity, he holds that line for ten straight years, eventually coming out on top single handedly. Now he has to tackle the dilemma of how to occupy himself in a world where he holds a myriad of roles: that of a legend, that of a veteran, and that of a brand new face.

The anime stars:

Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kōsuke Toriumi, Takehito Koyasu, Shinya Takahashi, and Satoshi Hino will voice the vampires who hold the key to the story.

Hiroyuki Kanbe (Viper’s Creed) is directing the anime at Gekkō. Mitsutaka Hirota (Edens Zero) is handling the series scripts. Majiro (Macross Delta) is designing the characters. sajou no hana performs the anime’s opening theme song “Soredemo Donten o Koeteyuku” (Even So, We Go Past the Cloudy Skies). Rock-idol girl group MEISHOHIKOKAI will perform the ending theme song “Ari Kitari na Nichijō to Kōun na Hibi e” (Lucky in the Ordinary, or literally, Onwards to Ordinary and Fortunate Days).

Additional staff members include:

The anime premiered first on Amazon Prime Video on July 3, before debuting on the ABEMA and d Anime Store streaming services on July 6, as well as making its television debut on Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, TV Aichi, and BS11 on July 6. The anime debuted on AT-X on July 9. The anime’s premiere was delayed to July “to present an even more enjoyable work for everyone.” The anime was initially announced to premiere in April.

Crunchyroll is streaming the anime as it airs in Japan.

The web novel began in June 2018 on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website. The light novel series’ first volume debuted in February 2019, and the eighth volume will ship on July 15. Chaco Abeno launched a manga adaptation with composition by Kitsune Tennōji on Square Enix‘s Manga UP! service in August 2019. Square Enix published the manga’s 19th compiled book volume on April 7. The novel and manga series combined has over 4.45 million copies in circulation.

Sources: I Became a Legend After My 10 Year-Long Last Stand anime’s X/Twitter account, Comic Natalie