Award-Winning Manga 'Draw This, Then Die!' Anime Sets July 3, 2026 Premiere Date
Featured image property of its respective copyright owner. Used for review purposes only.
Aspiring creators and manga lovers, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Minoru Toyoda's award-winning manga Draw This, Then Die! (Kore Kaite Shine) has officially secured its release date.
The series is scheduled to premiere on July 3, 2026, broadcasting on Nippon TV’s (NTV) prominent "Friday Anime Night" programming block at 11:30 p.m. JST.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming series, including the staff, theme songs, and what makes this coming-of-age story a must-watch for the Summer 2026 anime season.
The Staff and Studio Behind the Craft
Bringing a story about the passion of drawing manga to life requires a team that understands the art form, and the production has lined up some incredible talent:
Animation Studio: Shin-Ei Animation, the studio renowned for delivering stunningly detailed slice-of-life and drama adaptations like The Dangers in My Heart and Teasing Master Takagi-san.
Director: Hiroaki Akagi, who previously directed both The Dangers in My Heart and Teasing Master Takagi-san, making him the perfect fit to helm this gentle yet deeply emotional narrative.
Opening Theme: "Isho" (Will) by Tatsuya Kitani, the brilliant artist behind the iconic Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 OP "Ao no Sumika" (Where Our Blue Is).
Ending Theme: "Conifer" by the alternative rock band Regal Lily, bringing a warm, reflective vibe to close out each episode.
What is 'Draw This, Then Die!' About?
Winner of the prestigious 15th Manga Taisho Award in 2022, Draw This, Then Die! is a love letter to the medium of manga and the creative process.
The story is set on Izu Ōshima, a quiet and beautiful volcanic island located south of Tokyo. It follows Ai Yasumi, a first-year high school student who is absolutely obsessed with reading manga. Despite her passion, she has never considered making it herself—until a fateful series of events turns her world upside down.
After a life-changing encounter with a veteran creator and an eye-opening visit to the independent manga convention COMITIA, Ai decides to take the plunge. Alongside her friends and a supportive school adviser, she establishes a manga creation club. Together, they navigate the overwhelming joy, grueling frustration, and raw vulnerability of putting pen to paper and sharing their own stories with the world.
Why You Should Be Excited
Unlike typical school club anime, Draw This, Then Die! dives deep into the actual mechanics and emotional reality of being a creator. It doesn't shy away from the struggles of artist's block, self-doubt, and the vulnerability of letting others read your work, balancing those challenges with the infectious thrill of creative breakthroughs.
With Minoru Toyoda's acclaimed source material and Hiroaki Akagi's experienced direction under Shin-Ei Animation, the anime promises to be an inspiring, heartfelt journey for anyone who has ever dreamed of creating something of their own.
Draw This, Then Die! will be available for streaming and broadcast starting July 3, 2026. Stay tuned to MangaMotive for episode recaps and depth reviews as the season begins!