Picture book "Danchi no Sannin" born from the drama original "Danchi no Futari" starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi!

U-NEXT, a video distribution service operated by U-NEXT Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tenshin Tsutsumi), part of the USEN & U-NEXT GROUP, will release the picture book "Danchi no Sannin" as a spin-off of Chiyo Fujino's novel "Danchi no Futari" on June 30 (Tue) at bookstores nationwide. "Danchi no Futari" has become a bestseller with over 240,000 copies sold and is an original U-NEXT publication.

The "Danchi no Futari" series is a novel that depicts the refreshing friendship and relaxed apartment life of two childhood friends in their 50s, Natsuko and Noe.

In the original novel and the drama, the protagonist, illustrator Natsuko, speaks of her future dream to draw a picture book about her other childhood friend, "Sora-chan," and "Danchi no Sannin" is the realization of that dream.

The book was completed through the collaboration of Chiyo Fujino for the text and Daisuke Kitazawa, who has been in charge of the cover and illustrations for the series.

The original novels "Danchi no Futari" and "Mata Danchi no Futari" are available on U-NEXT. Paperback editions are also available from Futaba Bunko, and a comic adaptation by Takako Shimura is being serialized in "JOUR."

U-NEXT "Danchi no Futari" "Mata Danchi no Futari"

https://video.unext.jp/book/title/BSD0000520270

https://video.unext.jp/book/title/BSD0000881226

Futaba Bunko "Danchi no Futari" "Mata Danchi no Futari"

https://www.futabasha.co.jp/book/97845755276500000000

https://www.futabasha.co.jp/book/97845755292720000000

Futabasha "JOUR"

https://www.futabasha.co.jp/magazine/jour

Furthermore, starting at 10 PM on July 14 (Tue), the 10-episode drama "Danchi no Futari," starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi, will be broadcast on NHK General TV. This popular drama, which aired on NHK BS Premium 4K/NHK BS in 2024, will be enjoyed by a wider audience.

Chiyo Fujino / Daisuke Kitazawa "Danchi no Sannin"

https://video.unext.jp/book/title/BSD0001194647

Chiyo Fujino (Fujino Chiyā)

https://video.unext.jp/browse/credit/PER0642587/PNC0015453/book

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. A novelist. After working as a manga editor, she debuted in 1995 with "Gogo no Juhwari," winning the 14th Kaien Newcomer Literature Prize. She later won the 20th Noma Literary Newcomer Award for "Oshaberi Kaidan" in 1998, the 122nd Akutagawa Prize for "Natsu no Yakusoku" in 2000, and the 6th Miyazaki Book Award for "Jiisanpo" in 2005. "Danchi no Futari" was adapted into a TV drama and became a topic of conversation. Other works include "Route 225," "Henshuu Doma Shuugou!", "Danchi Meshi!", and "Toki An Mimika." This is her first picture book.

Daisuke Kitazawa (Kitazawa Daisuke)

https://video.unext.jp/browse/credit/PER0689866/PRN0443665

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. An illustrator. After living in the United States for 16 years, she began her career as an illustrator upon returning to Japan. She handles illustrations for a wide range of fields both domestically and internationally, including book covers, advertisements, and product packaging. In 2026, she won the 41st Tsubota Joji Literary Award for "Unicorn Letter Story." Other works include "Shiori to Mekuri Daisuke Kitazawa Sakuhinshu," "Hige ga Nagasugiru Neko," and "Yukai Youkai Note."

Bibliographic Information

Title: "Danchi no Sannin"

Authors: Chiyo Fujino / Daisuke Kitazawa

Specifications: 46-ban / Hardcover / 48 pages

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Price (tax included): 1,760 yen (1,600 yen excluding tax)

ISBN: 978-4-910207-60-5

Book Design: Kumi Suzuki

U-NEXT's original book list can be found here (https://video.unext.jp/book/originals/book). For the latest information, please check the official book X account (https://twitter.com/UNEXT_publish) (@UNEXT_publish).

About U-NEXT

U-NEXT is the No. 1 video distribution service in terms of the number of titles available for unlimited viewing*. You can enjoy over 460,000 titles including movies, dramas, and anime, as well as watch live music, stage performances, and world-class sports such as soccer, golf, and martial arts in real-time. In addition, with over 1.29 million manga and books available, it offers a genre-defying entertainment experience where you can seamlessly enjoy "Video," "Books," "Sports," and "Live" all within a single app. With the service integration of Paravi in July 2023, we have further expanded our lineup to include a large number of dramas and variety shows from TBS and TV Tokyo, offering an even more attractive service.

U-NEXT Co., Ltd. is a group company of U-NEXT HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yasuhide Uno).

U-NEXT: https://video.unext.jp

*Survey by GEM Partners / As of May 2026

Survey of major domestic subscription video distribution services for Western films, Japanese films, overseas dramas, Korean/Asian dramas, domestic dramas, and anime. Paid content is available separately.