Creating stories from scratch is never an easy path, but when the passion for drawing burns inside you, there’s no turning back. After airing the twelfth episode that marked the end of its initial run, the animated adaptation of Draw This, Then Die! (Kore Kaite Shine) officially confirmed it will have a second season.

The news came immediately after the conclusion of its first part, satisfying the anticipation of viewers captivated by this emotional work about artistic creation. The production sensitively captured the weight of creative work, the doubts of those starting to draw, and the emotional impact of meeting admired figures.

The project was directed by Hiroaki Akagi with animation by Shin-Ei Animation. Hiroko Fukuda and Aki Itami stood out in the scripts, alongside Kanichi Kato, successfully bringing the essence from paper to screen with character designs by Takekazu Segawa and music by Hiroaki Tsutsumi. The main songs also left a mark, featuring the opening theme by Tatsuya Kitani and the ending by the band Regal Lily.

The voice cast excelled with outstanding performances. Actress Akira Sekine portrayed passionate Ai Yasumi, joined by Saori Hayami as Rei Teshima, Saya Hitomi as Kokoro Fujimori, and Kanon Fujimura as Sachi Akafuku. The cast was completed brilliantly with Inori Minase as Hikaru Sekiryu, Noriko Hidaka as the lovable Pokota, Atsumi Tanezaki as Nana Teramura, Yukana as editor Hana Kongoji, and Kikuko Inoue as experienced author Hebichika.

About Draw This, Then Die!

Born from the pen and pencil of author Minoru Toyoda, the work began its serialization in Shogakukan’s Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine in November 2021, earning widespread acclaim from critics. The series won the prestigious Manga Taisho Award in 2023 and was honored at the 70th Shogakukan Manga Awards, establishing itself as a genuine tribute to the art of storytelling through comics.

The story follows Ai Yasumi, a first-year high school student living on the remote island of Izu Oshima with a deep devotion to manga. Her routine changes dramatically when she discovers her favorite author and cult figure, known as Yasuno, will appear at the Comitia convention. Without hesitation, Ai embarks on a journey to meet her idol, triggering a series of face-to-face encounters with the reality of drawing, frustrated genius, and the true meaning of creating one’s own work.

Did you have the chance to follow this beautiful story during its broadcast or will you prepare to watch it before its return?