Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll has the opportunity to capitalize on the success of Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters with a new release. Though Crunchyroll hasn’t announced any plans to acquire the upcoming K-pop anime, it’s such a logical fit for the dedicated anime streaming service that its arrival feels inevitable.
As covered by Japan Anime News, the hit manga series Girl Crush is set to become Japan’s first anime series based around the K-pop industry. The anime will air on TBS Television in Japan, with few other details revealed.
To celebrate the announcement, TBS released a teaser trailer that is mostly just art from the manga given special effects and a pumping beat, clearly meant to evoke the manga’s K-pop theme.
Girl Crush Could Be Crunchyroll’s Big Swing For a Piece of Kpop Demon Hunters Mania
Very little is known about the upcoming anime adaptation of Midori Tayama’s manga, including the studio that is producing the anime and when it will be released.
Given this, no streaming information has been revealed at the time of writing.
Despite this, however, it’s difficult to deny that Girl Crush represents a huge opportunity for Crunchyroll. Kpop Demon Hunters is Netflix’s biggest movie ever, leading fans to seek out animated series like it.
While Girl Crush doesn’t have the supernatural elements or thrilling action of Kpop Demon Hunters, its focus on K-pop music definitely makes it an easy sell for fans of Netflix’s latest sensation.
Korea Is Becoming a Bigger Force In Japanese Media
More than just what’s happening with other streaming services, however, Crunchyroll’s own history makes Girl Crush quite a desirable acquisition.
Anime adaptations of mahnwa have been exploding on the service. Solo Leveling season 2 broke several records on Crunchyroll, and though it’s the biggest example of Korean culture making a splash on the service, it’s far from the only one.
There are dozens of anime adapting manhwa releasing both next year and the year following that, meaning Korea’s influence on anime culture will probably only grow stronger in the near future.
Does Girl Crush Have What It Takes To Compete With Industry Giants?
Girl Crush itself is an example of Korea’s increased presence in Global media. The manga follows a pair of Japanese girls who travel to South Korea to try and make it as K-pop idols.
With Tayama’s stylish art and a unique premise that capitalizes on the world’s obsession with K-pop, the manga has been a hit, both in Japan and in America, where it is published by Viz.
Given that the manga is already successful, there’s a good chance Girl Crush could be a big hit for whatever streaming service it does land on.