Staying for remedial classes at school is usually the worst punishment, but when your desk mate turns out to be the current idol, academic torture becomes the best part of your life. The Hokago no Idol ni wa Himitsu ga Aru (Everyone’s Darling Has a Secret) franchise has officially announced its anime adaptation, confirming that this school romance story will premiere on screens in April 2027.

The story follows Hizashi Hiruno, a first-year student focused on his studies who lives under constant family pressure to maintain perfect grades. After an unexpected stumble in his first exams of the year, the young man fails and is sent directly to evening remedial sessions. What seemed like a total disaster takes a complete turn when he discovers his study partner is Rei Kuromiya, the star of the popular idol group Blue Impulse.

Despite projecting a perfect image as a prodigy balancing stages and school effortlessly, Rei faces her own dilemma after promising her mother she will leave the group if her grades drop too low. Sharing the same space after the school bell, they secretly study together, discovering that behind the facade of the perfect idol and model student are two ordinary people who connect sincerely while trying to save their futures.

The animated project is produced by studio Gekko under the direction of Hikaru Sato, known for his work on productions like The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You and Dropkick on My Devil!. The story composition and scripts are handled by Fumihiko Shimo, while Kibidango 14-go takes charge of character design. The soundtrack features the talent of Satoru Kosaki and the collective monaca, backed by the production of Ryo Aizawa.

For the voice cast, actor Reiji Kawashima will play Hizashi Hiruno, while Hikaru Tono will voice Rei Kuromiya. The main cast is completed with Iori Noguchi, a member of the idol group =LOVE, voicing Sakura Akai, the oldest and most reliable member of the musical group, and Ami Maeshima as Sora Konno, the most relaxed member of Blue Impulse.

Hokago no Idol ni wa Himitsu ga Aru is a romantic comedy manga written and illustrated by Kashiko Amane, which began serialization on Hakusensha’s digital platforms Young Animal Web and Manga Park in September 2022. The work has compiled nine volumes so far in Japan, earning reader affection for its sweet take on the clash between an artist’s public life and everyday school life.

What do you think of this romance between remedial classes and idols?