Production company DMM Pictures has officially announced that the manga series Kusunoki-san wa Koukou Debut ni Shippai Shite Iru, internationally known as Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up, is receiving a television anime adaptation. The announcement arrived alongside a promotional trailer and a key visual, though no premiere window has been disclosed yet.
The project brings together a notably experienced creative team. Midori Yui, known for episode work on Carole & Tuesday and Renai Flops, will handle both direction and screenplay. Character design falls to Koji Haneda, whose credits include the remake of Spice & Wolf and Saihate no Paladin. The musical score is being composed by Hyadain, recognized for his work on Kanojo Okarishimasu! and Yomawari Neko. Animation production is a joint effort between studio Passione (Ishuzoku Reviewers, Mieruko-chan) and Hayabusa Film (Mato Seihei no Slave 2).
What Is Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up About?
The story centers on Keisuke Shizuki, a middle school student who endured a deeply traumatic experience when the girl he liked told him he was disgusting. Determined to escape his past, Keisuke resolves to enter high school as an entirely different person—a clean slate, a new personality, and no trace of his former self. He aims to become an ordinary, unremarkable boy.
On his very first day of high school, however, he crosses paths with Shizuka Kusunoki, a former classmate who is also pretending to be someone she is not. The critical difference is that Shizuka has only changed her appearance. She remains utterly incapable of handling social interactions. Desperate to complete her transformation, she asks Keisuke to help her become more communicative. There is one complication: Keisuke has not yet conquered his fear of attractive girls, making every interaction with Shizuka a constant test of his new identity.
Staff and Production Details
Director and Screenplay
Midori Yui steps into a dual role as director and screenwriter. Yui’s portfolio includes episode direction for Carole & Tuesday and Renai Flops, demonstrating a capacity for both emotional storytelling and comedic timing—qualities essential for adapting a manga that blends social anxiety, self-reinvention, and romantic tension.
Character Design
Koji Haneda is responsible for character design. Haneda’s recent work on the Spice & Wolf remake and Saihate no Paladin indicates a strong command of expressive, detailed character art that can convey subtle emotional shifts—a crucial requirement for a story where much of the drama hinges on unspoken social cues and internal conflict.
Music
Hyadain, the composer behind the scores for Kanojo Okarishimasu! and Yomawari Neko, is handling the music. Hyadain’s style tends toward energetic, emotionally resonant compositions that support both comedic and heartfelt moments, aligning well with the manga’s tonal range.
Animation Studios
The production is split between two studios. Passione has gained recognition for its work on Ishuzoku Reviewers and Mieruko-chan, both of which required strong character animation and atmospheric direction. Hayabusa Film, currently working on Mato Seihei no Slave 2, brings additional production capacity. This dual-studio arrangement is becoming increasingly common in the industry as a means of managing schedules and maintaining quality.
What Is the Premiere Date for the Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up Anime?
As of the announcement, no premiere date has been set. DMM Pictures released a trailer and a key visual but did not specify a broadcast window. Given that production has been publicly confirmed with a full staff lineup, a 2026 or early 2027 release is plausible, though an official date has yet to be announced.
The Appeal of a Social-Reinvention Story
At its core, Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up taps into a universally relatable theme: the desire to reinvent oneself after a painful past. The manga distinguishes itself by placing two flawed, self-conscious characters at the center—both pretending, both struggling, and both needing each other in ways they are not fully prepared to admit.
Keisuke’s fear of attractive girls is not played purely for comedy; it is presented as a genuine psychological barrier that stems from his past rejection. Shizuka’s inability to socialize despite her physical transformation creates a dynamic where appearance alone is insufficient. The story interrogates the idea of a “glow-up” by showing that external change without internal growth is hollow. This gives the narrative a layer of emotional depth that sets it apart from more straightforward romantic comedies.
Comparisons to Similar Works
Fans of series like Komi Can’t Communicate, Horimiya, or My Dress-Up Darling will find familiar territory here: socially anxious characters, the slow build of trust, and the comedy that arises from awkward interactions. However, Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up differentiates itself by making both protagonists active participants in their own deception. They are not simply shy or misunderstood—they are deliberately constructing false identities, which raises the stakes and adds a layer of dramatic irony. The audience knows who they really are, but the characters themselves must navigate the gap between their true selves and the personas they project.
Why This Adaptation Matters
The announcement of a television anime adaptation signals that the manga has reached a level of popularity and commercial viability that justifies the investment. DMM Pictures, as a production company, has been expanding its presence in the anime space, and this project represents a continuation of that strategy. The involvement of experienced staff and two established studios suggests a serious commitment to quality.
For English-speaking audiences, the series holds particular appeal because the universal themes of social anxiety, self-reinvention, and the fear of judgment resonate across cultures. The manga’s title, Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up, captures the core irony: a glow-up is supposed to be a triumph, but here it is fraught with failure, awkwardness, and self-doubt. That inversion of expectations is what makes the story compelling.
What to Expect from the Trailer and Visual
The released trailer offers a first look at the character designs, animation style, and tone. While specific footage details are not fully described, the visual released alongside the announcement depicts Shizuka Kusunoki in her transformed appearance, emphasizing her beauty and the gap between her polished exterior and her internal struggle. The art style, informed by Koji Haneda’s design work, appears faithful to the manga’s aesthetic while adapting it for animation.
The trailer likely teases the central dynamic between Keisuke and Shizuka, showcasing both comedic moments and hints of the emotional depth that defines their relationship. For fans of the manga, the adaptation represents an opportunity to see the characters brought to life with voice acting, motion, and music. For newcomers, the trailer serves as an entry point into a story that balances humor, heart, and relatable anxiety.
As the anime industry continues to adapt rom-com and slice-of-life manga at a rapid pace, standing out requires either a unique hook or exceptional execution. Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up has the hook—a story about two people failing at reinvention together—and the staff lineup suggests the production team is well-equipped to deliver on its potential. The absence of a premiere date leaves room for anticipation, but the foundation has been laid for what could be one of the more emotionally resonant romantic comedies of its season.
