A Star Brighter Than the Sun

A Star Brighter Than the Sun
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Koki Kamishiro
太陽よりも眩しい星
(Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi)
GenreRomance[1]
Manga
Written byKazune Kawahara
Published byShueisha
English publisher
ImprintMargaret Comics
MagazineBessatsu Margaret
Original runJune 11, 2021 – present
Volumes13
Anime television series
Directed bySayaka Kobayashi
Written byYasuhiro Nakanishi
Music by
  • Natsumi Tabuchi
  • Miki Sakurai
StudioStudio Kai
Licensed byAmazon Prime Video
Original networkJNN (TBS)
Original run October 2, 2025 – present
Episodes12

A Star Brighter Than the Sun (Japanese: 太陽よりも眩しい星, Hepburn: Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazune Kawahara. It began serialization in Shueisha's shōjo manga magazine Bessatsu Margaret in June 2021. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Kai aired from October to December 2025. A second season has been announced.

Characters

Sae Iwata (岩田 朔英, Iwata Sae)
Voiced by: Sayumi Suzushiro[2] (PV), Minori Fujidera[3] (anime) (Japanese); Isabella Crovetti[4] (English)
Koki Kamishiro (神城 光輝, Kamishiro Kōki)
Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi[2] (PV), Yūki Ono[3] (anime) (Japanese); Maxwell Donovan,[4] Anjali Kunapaneni[4] (young) (English)
Hisui Onodera (小野寺 翡翠, Onodera Hisui)
Voiced by: Hina Yōmiya[5] (Japanese); Yuuki Luna[4] (English)
Yota Ayukawa (鮎川 陽太, Ayukawa Yōta)
Voiced by: Taito Ban[5] (Japanese); Stephen Fu[4] (English)
Mio Kagawa (香川 美織, Kagawa Mio)
Voiced by: Mutsumi Tamura[5] (Japanese); Anjali Kunapaneni[4] (English)
Yushin Izawa (井沢 優心, Izawa Yūshin)
Voiced by: Ryōta Ōsaka[5] (Japanese); Caleb Yen[4] (English)
Subaru Kamishiro (神城 昴, Kamishiro Subaru)
Voiced by: Haruka Shiraishi[6] (Japanese); Cherami Leigh[4] (English)

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Kazune Kawahara, A Star Brighter Than the Sun began serialization in Shueisha's shōjo manga magazine Bessatsu Margaret on June 11, 2021.[7][1] The series' chapters have been collected into thirteen tankōbon volumes as of December 2025.[8] In May 2024, Viz Media announced that they licensed the series for English publication.[9]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 October 25, 2021[10]978-4-08-844539-7March 4, 2025[11]978-1-9747-5166-2
2 February 25, 2022[12]978-4-08-844579-3June 3, 2025[13]978-1-9747-5501-1
3 June 23, 2022[14]978-4-08-844612-7September 2, 2025[15]978-1-9747-5787-9
4 October 25, 2022[16]978-4-08-844698-1December 2, 2025[17]978-1-9747-5788-6
5 February 24, 2023[18]978-4-08-844707-0March 3, 2026[19]978-1-9747-6222-4
6 June 23, 2023[20]978-4-08-844750-6——
7 October 25, 2023[21]978-4-08-844836-7——
8 February 22, 2024[22]978-4-08-844873-2——
9 July 25, 2024[23]978-4-08-843028-7——
10 November 25, 2024[24]978-4-08-843061-4——
11 April 24, 2025[25]978-4-08-843129-1——
12 August 25, 2025[26]978-4-08-843169-7——
13 December 24, 2025[8]978-4-08-843213-7——

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on February 10, 2025.[27] It was produced by Studio Kai and directed by Sayaka Kobayashi, with series composition by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, characters designed by Jinfeng Zeng, and music composed by Natsumi Tabuchi and Miki Sakurai. The series aired from October 2 to December 18, 2025, on TBS and its affiliates.[3] The opening theme song is "Stellar Days", performed by Motohiro Hata,[5] while the ending theme song is "Saishin-wa" (最新話; 'Latest Episode'), performed by Wanuka.[6] Amazon Prime Video is streaming the series worldwide.[28]

Following the airing of the final episode, a second season was announced.[29]

Episodes

No.Title [30][31]Directed by [a]Storyboarded by [a]Original release date [32]
1"The Day I Reached Out My Hand"
Transliteration: "Te o Nobashita Hi" (Japanese: 手を伸ばした日)		Sayaka KobayashiSayaka KobayashiOctober 2, 2025 (2025-10-02)
Sae Iwata recalls her time in elementary school with her childhood friend Koki Kamishiro. They fell in love, while Sae encouraged him to grow up. Koki trained hard to grow up and joined the soccer team. When they entered middle school, Koki had grown up so fast that he was attracting other girls. In the lead-up to the sports festival in her third year of middle school, Sae and Koki served as the representatives for their class, working together on the banner, and afterwards have a conversation about their relationship. During scavenger hunt event of the sports festival, Sae chooses her friend instead of Koki when drawing a card looking for someone she loves, while Koki brings Sae when he drew a card that has him looking for a cute girl, which he does not reveal until after the event. Months later, Sae and Koki graduate from middle school and end up in the same class at Hokkaido North High School.
2"Call My Name"
Transliteration: "Namae wo Yonde" (Japanese: 名前を呼んで)		Hisaya TakabayashiHisaya TakabayashiOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
On the first day of high school, Sae tears her skirt, prompting Koki to lend her his hoodie to cover up the tear, which Sae returns the next day. Sometime later, the class is assigned to groups for trash pickup with Sae and Koki in the same group, along with Hisui Onodera, Mio Kagawa, Yushin Izawa, and Yota Ayukawa. During the pickup, Koki calls Sae by her first name that raises suspicion by the rest of the group. The next day, Sae tries out for the judo club despite saying that she intends to join the tennis club, and Koki notices her absence due to the soccer and tennis teams practicing next to each other. Days later, the students have their first midterm exams and they both pass their exams, with Koki pointing out how smart Sae is despite only looking at her test score in her strongest subject. With the school trip coming up, Koki asks Sae to be in the same group, but Sae is hesitant due to the attention she would bring to herself. They end up in the same group, and afterwards Sae admits to Hisui that she has had a crush on Koki since elementary school.
3"No Matter How Far"
Transliteration: "Donna ni Tōkute mo" (Japanese: どんなに遠くても)		Fumiaki Usui &
Sayaka Kobayashi		Sayaka KobayashiOctober 16, 2025 (2025-10-16)
The class goes on the school trip. While Sae remembers Koki for easily getting carsick, he has since gotten over it. As the class checks into their hotel, Sae recalls more memories about Koki and especially remembers how he smiled at everybody as she keeps staring at him. Afterwards, the class goes to the youth center to prepare a presentation about products featuring local ingredients. As the group prepares to leave the youth center, Hisui tells Mio in private letting her know that Koki sees both of them as friends. Meanwhile, Sae and Koki are shopping for souvenirs at the gift shop, and Sae gets a cut on her forehead after failing to stop a bottle of wine another student accidentally knocked off the shelf from breaking. Afterwards, the class returns to the hotel and as the students prepare for bedtime, Sae and Koki go out in the courtyard. Sae asks about Kokis crush whom he says is 'Brighter than the Sun', and tells him that his crush is certain to like him back, before they're interrupted by the others.
4"He's Still There Even When I Close My Eyes"
Transliteration: "Mabuta Tojite mo Soko ni Aru" (Japanese: まぶた閉じてもそこに在る)		Natsumi YasueIchizō KobayashiOctober 23, 2025 (2025-10-23)
As the students go to bed, Sae tells Hisui and Mio that she plans to avoid talking to Koki. The next morning, Sae is approached by Koki during breakfast that immediately throws her plan off track. Sae gives her group's presentation before the class leaves the hotel. Afterwards, the class goes on a marathon run through the forest in boy-girl pairs. Not wanting to be paired up with Koki, Sae chooses Yota to be her partner, while Koki ends up with Mio. However, they cross paths again when Sae and Yota struggle to put a fallen bird feeder back on the tree. The trip concludes with the class rowing boats down the river, with Sae and Koki ending up in the same boat after being left out by the others. The two row together and the boat capsizes that has Koki having to pull Sae out of the water. Afterwards, Koki tells Sae to not distance herself for his sake and to keep on talking as friends instead of lovers, and Sae agrees to keep being friends with Koki. The trip ends with Sae and Koki sitting together on the bus ride back.
5"Jumping and Swinging"
Transliteration: "Hanete, Yuraide" (Japanese: 跳ねて、揺らいで)		Madoka YaguchiIchizō KobayashiOctober 30, 2025 (2025-10-30)
Following a physical test in gym class, Sae sees how much she has grown. Afterwards, the homeroom teacher announces the school's class jump rope competition, and Sae and Koki have been chosen as the rope swingers. Class 1-A practices, but Mio keeps on messing up. After Sae spots Mio practicing in private using an imaginary jump rope, she and her circle of friends practice together with Mio for the rest of the afternoon. The next day, the class continues to practice during gym class with improved results. After class, Sae and Koki share hand cream after swinging the rope for a long time that causes Sae to get flustered. On the day of the competition, class 1-A wins the first-year division with 178 jumps. After school, Sae spaces out during tennis practice and realizes something is wrong with her mind after Koki dislodges a ball stuck in the fence for her.
6"Brains, Heart, and Courage"
Transliteration: "Chie to Kokoro to, Sorekara Yūki" (Japanese: 知恵と心と、それから勇気)		Kōichirō TakatsuAimi YamauchiNovember 6, 2025 (2025-11-06)
Sae, Hisui, and Mio eat at a ramen restaurant alongside with Koki and his soccer teammates. Koki orders extra noodles for Sae that causes her to be unsure about her relationship with him. After dinner, Sae admits that she is fine with just being friends, but Hisui and Mio tell her to continue building a romantic relationship. The next day, Sae stays home dealing with stomach cramps as Koki drops by to lend her his notes to study from, with Sae doing the same the next day after Koki sprains his ankle during soccer practice. Afterwards, Sae decides that she will confess her feelings. The next day, the class prepares for the English Festival with the class choosing to do a play for The Wizard of Oz in English with Hisui and Koki cast as leads, and Sae as a stagehand. The class practices the play and Koki struggles with his lines due to his poor English fluency, but he is determined to practice hard to get better. On Sunday, Sae meets with Koki at a park the two used to play at as kids to practice his lines when it suddenly starts raining with Koki lending Sae his jacket.
7"Sun-Shower"
Transliteration: "Tenki Ame" (Japanese: 天気雨)		Shigatsu YoshikawaKenji SetōNovember 13, 2025 (2025-11-13)
Sae and Koki spend the day practicing for the play, and Koki talks about his love for American films and invites her to watch some of them over the summer. As preparations for the festival come along, Koki greatly improves his delivery. On the day of the festival, Sae notices that three students sitting up front try to take a perverted photo of Hisui and interrupts the play to stop them, ruining the performance. While cleaning up, Koki overhears those said students and gets in a fight with them and gets in trouble. But Koki's cousin Subaru Kamishiro comes to his defense, convincing the teachers that it was an act of self-defense. On the following Sunday, the class holds a post-festival party at a yakiniku restaurant with Koki joining after his match that day. During the party, Ayukawa talks with Sae about his life in the countryside he grew up in, and he chose to attend this school because of the lack of a pool. On the train ride home after the party, Sae and Koki talk about the movie they want to see, while also talking about how much Ayukawa has in common with Sae.
8"Ten Years"
Transliteration: "Jūnenkan" (Japanese: 10年間)		KotoSayaka KobayashiNovember 20, 2025 (2025-11-20)
Summer arrives, and following tennis practice, Sae meets Ayukawa inside the clubroom for the Shogi Club, which Ayukawa is currently the only member. Sae and Ayukawa have a match and never having played shogi before, Sae loses. Afterwards Koki arrives after finishing soccer practice to let her know about his practice schedule in the summer. The next day, Sae meets up with Subaru, who talks about Koki's growth and how he used to be very childish. A few days later, Sae and Koki go out together to see a movie. Afterwards, the two have dinner and Koki tells Sae that it has been ten years since the two first met. After dinner, while Koki is using the restroom, Sae helps two guys with directions, and Koki mistakenly thinks they were hitting on her. This has Sae realizing that Koki has been looking out for her. Meanwhile, Subaru begins planning for the upcoming school festival.
9"Someone's Feelings"
Transliteration: "Dareka no Kimochi" (Japanese: 誰かの気持ち)		Yuhi SuzukiKenji SetōNovember 27, 2025 (2025-11-27)
10"Rumors"
Transliteration: "Uwasa" (Japanese: 噂)		Kōichirō TakatsuTakashi SanoDecember 4, 2025 (2025-12-04)
11"A Star Without a Constellation"
Transliteration: "Seiza ni Naranai Hoshi" (Japanese: 星座にならない星)		Sayaka KobayashiSayaka KobayashiDecember 11, 2025 (2025-12-11)
12"A Star Brighter Than the Sun"
Transliteration: "Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi" (Japanese: 太陽よりも眩しい星)		Sayaka KobayashiImamuraDecember 18, 2025 (2025-12-18)

Reception

The series was nominated for the 12th An An Manga Award in 2021.[33] It later won the 14th edition in 2023.[34] The series was also ranked eighth in the 2023 edition of Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook for the best manga for female readers.[35]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.

References

  1. ^ a b 河原和音の新連載が別マで開幕！ちょっと大きめ女子×人気者に成長した男子のピュア恋. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 11, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "【イケメンになった幼なじみとのきらめき初恋ストーリー】「太陽よりも眩しい星」スペシャルPV【CV：鈴代紗弓、武内駿輔】" (in Japanese). Bessatsu Margaret. February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2025 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c Cayanan, Joanna (April 23, 2025). "A Star Brighter Than the Sun Anime's Teaser Unveils Cast, Staff, October Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "A Star Brighter Than The Sun English Dub Credits". Imgur. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 8, 2025). "A Star Brighter Than the Sun Anime Reveals More Cast, October 2 Debut in 1st Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Cayanan, Joanna (September 4, 2025). "A Star Brighter Than the Sun Anime Reveals New Cast Member, Ending Song Artist in 2nd Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 12, 2021). "My Love Story, Aozora Yell's Kazune Kawahara Launches New Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ^ a b 太陽よりも眩しい星 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  9. ^ Luster, Joseph (May 31, 2024). "VIZ Media Announces Vagabond Definitive Edition, One Piece: Heroines and More". Crunchyroll. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  10. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "A Star Brighter than the Sun, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  12. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 2 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "A Star Brighter than the Sun, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  14. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 3 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  15. ^ "A Star Brighter than the Sun, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  16. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 4 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "A Star Brighter than the Sun, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  18. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 5 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "A Star Brighter than the Sun, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  20. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 6 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  21. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 7 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  22. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 8 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 9 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  24. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 10 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  25. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  26. ^ 太陽よりも眩しい星 12 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  27. ^ Hazra, Adriana (February 10, 2025). "A Star Brighter Than the Sun Manga from 'My Love Story!!,' Aozora Yell's Kazune Kawahara Gets TV Anime This Year". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  28. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 23, 2025). "Amazon's Prime Video to Stream A Star Brighter Than the Sun Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  29. ^ Chapman, Paul (December 18, 2025). "A Star Brighter Than the Sun Anime Season 2 Announced". Crunchyroll. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  30. ^ "Story | Terebi Anime『Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi』" あらすじ｜TVアニメ『太陽よりも眩しい星』 [:Story | TV Anime『A Star Brighter Than the Sun』]. tamahoshi-anime.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  31. ^ "Prime Video: A Star Brighter Than the Sun". Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  32. ^ "Hōsō ・Haishin Jōhō | Terebi Anime『Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi』" 放送・配信情報｜TVアニメ『太陽よりも眩しい星』 [Broadcast ・Distribution Information | TV Anime『A Star Brighter Than the Sun』]. tamahoshi-anime.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  33. ^ 山田南平「恋するMOON DOG」ananマンガ大賞受賞、犬に変身する年下男子とのラブ. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  34. ^ 「太陽よりも眩しい星」第14回ananマンガ大賞の大賞に、河原和音のインタビューも掲載. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 27, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 12, 2022). "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2023 Rankings (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
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