Former KAT-TUN Member Yūichi Nakamaru's Manga Series "Chikyū Daisuki! Kikkun" to be Adapted into Anime
Former KAT-TUN member and talented illustrator Yūichi Nakamaru's beloved four-panel (yonkoma) manga Chikyū Daisuki! Kikkun is receiving an official anime adaptation. Set to begin airing in July, this short anime series is seen as one of the most important steps in Nakamaru's transition from his idol career to his identity as a mangaka. The project stands out as a professional fruit of the artist's long-standing passion for drawing.
The series follows the adventures of Kikkun, a cute alien who comes to Earth with the intention of invading it, but quickly abandons his plans after becoming fascinated by human culture and the beauty of the planet. The story, which was first shared as a daily series on Nakamaru's social media accounts and Johnny's Web during the COVID-19 pandemic, gained great popularity among fans for its sincere humor and positive messages. Born in the restrictive atmosphere of the pandemic, this character is now preparing to come to life on television screens.
Yūichi Nakamaru is not just an idol, but also a name known for his drawing talent for many years. Having made his professional mangaka debut in 2023 with Yamada-kun no Zaigai Kissa (Yamada's Overseas Cafe) in Kodansha's prestigious Monthly Afternoon magazine, the artist is now bringing his own created universe to the animation world with Chikyū Daisuki! Kikkun. Nakamaru's success proves once again how competent idols can be in different art forms in the Japanese entertainment industry and how they can turn their hobbies into professional careers.
More information regarding the production details and voice cast of the short anime series, which will begin in July, is expected to be shared in the coming weeks. For both KAT-TUN fans and anime lovers who enjoy fun, short stories, this production is a candidate to be one of the most sincere and anticipated projects of the summer season. Kikkun's journey of discovering the world seems set to remind viewers of the small joys of everyday life.
