Enjoy Watching, Reading, and Creating on One Platform: "StellaJean" Begins Streaming Live-Action Short Drama "Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode" Based on Popular BL Manga Today!

BookLive Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tadashi Awano), a group company of TOPPAN Holdings Inc., announces that it has begun streaming a live-action short drama adaptation of "Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode," a popular Boys' Love (BL) manga from its original comic series "Live Comics," on "StellaJean," Japan's first new entertainment platform where users can enjoy video works, novels, and scenarios in one place. The streaming starts today.

©Higashizumu/Live Comics

Rura Asahina, a finalist in the 36th Junon Superboy Contest, takes on his first Boys' Love drama as the lead. He co-stars with Yuta Tanokura, a veteran actor who has made his presence felt in numerous話題 works. The drama delicately portrays the process of two individuals with different generations and values connecting with each other.

[Synopsis]

Ukigaya, a single man with a decent job and a carefree life, used to be a wild party-goer but has since distanced himself from romance, enjoying a peaceful life in his late thirties. Into his life comes Shindo, a younger, handsome elite. The serious and cheeky Shindo and the elusive Ukigaya often clashed, but one day, their relationship changes when Ukigaya learns Shindo's "certain secret"--.

Usually harsh and cold, but completely changes when he gets attached!? A pure, puppy-like young elite × a former playboy uncle with a wounded heart – an awkward, heart-fluttering age-gap BL!

■Comment from Original Author Higashizumu-sensei

Immediately after I started watching the completed video, I was filled with the joy and excitement of experiencing the characters and story with a fresh perspective. Before I knew it, I was completely drawn into the power of the drama... I found myself engrossed in the latter half! Many people were involved in bringing the short drama version of "Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode" to life, so please watch it until the end.

■Cast Comments

[Keisuke Shindo played by Rura Asahina]

I am Rura Asahina, and I played the role of Keisuke Shindo. I remember various emotions welling up when I received the notification of the audition results. Shindo is capable at work but has no romantic experience, and he learns about love for the first time after meeting Ukigaya-san. In preparing for the role, I constantly thought about the difference between "like" and "love." Through acting with Tanokura-san, I felt trust and straightforward words, realized love, and faced it with all my might. And! I am very happy to have been involved in this work, which was created as a team with everyone from the Ryan group, as StellaJean's first original short drama. Please enjoy the growth of these two awkward individuals and their exciting story.

[Shin Ukigaya played by Yuta Tanokura]

When I first read the original work, to be honest, I felt a little scared. I felt that if I acted with half-hearted feelings, it would all become a lie. I went to the set with a sense of anxiety, also considering the theme of romance between men. However, by entrusting myself to Rura Asahina-san's straightforward and clear demeanor, a natural relationship was born, and the director and staff quietly watched over that time. Also, regarding vertical short dramas, I had always had the impression that they were "something that just flows by," but I felt that the aspect ratio, which captures even the smallest details of the face, rather makes it impossible to deceive. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this work will reach everyone on "StellaJean," a new platform.

■Comment from Director Ryan Sone

First, I am deeply honored to have been able to adapt Higashizumu-sensei's wonderful original work into a video. In order to depict the deep affection between Shindo and Ukigaya, this work attempted to realistically portray the subtle emotional changes of the two, which can be experienced precisely through a vertical short drama viewed on a smartphone. Thanks to the wonderful cast, including Mr. Asahina and Mr. Tanokura, who truly acted as if the characters were alive beyond the screen, it became a drama that evokes strong emotions. It is a drama that will resonate with anyone, regardless of their views on love, so please watch it.

■Overview of the Short Drama "Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode"

・Title: Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode

・Streaming Start Date: May 11, 2026 (Monday)

・Streaming Platform: StellaJean

・Production: StellaJean

・Production Companies: Minto Studio / vivito / 4thFILM

・Director: Ryan Sone

・Screenplay: Izumi Funasaki

・Copyright (Domestic): StellaJean

・Original Work: "Otona no Koi wa Bukiyou nanode" (Higashizumu / Live Comics)

・Official Hashtag: #ドラマ恋ぶき

[Cast]

Keisuke Shindo: Rura Asahina

Ukigaya