Kyoko Koizumi x Satomi Kobayashi's Double Lead Drama 'Futari wa Danchi' Becomes a Hot Topic. Novelist Chiya Fujino x Manga Artist Takako Shimura, a Miracle Tag Team is Realized!
The article announces the comic adaptation of Chiya Fujino's novel 'Futari wa Danchi' (Two People in the Housing Complex) by manga artist Takako Shimura in the women's manga magazine 'JOUR'. The novel, previously a popular drama starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi, follows the heartwarming friendship of two single women in their 50s living in a housing complex. This collaboration marks a reunion of Fujino and Shimura after 20 years.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 07:21 (352h 50m after Collected)
The masterpiece novel "Futari wa Danchi" (Futaba Bunko) by Chiya Fujino, which was adapted into a drama in 2024 starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi, received a great response with comments like "Friendship in their 50s is too precious" and "I want to grow old like this."
This work will now be serialized as a manga by popular manga artist Takako Shimura in the women's manga magazine "JOUR" starting with the May issue (released April 2nd).
This marks the second collaboration between Chiya Fujino and Takako Shimura, following their serialization of "Route 225" in "Monthly Shonen Sirius" (Kodansha) from 2007 to 2008. After 20 years, this miracle tag team has reunited!
Synopsis of "Futari wa Danchi"
The story is set in an old housing complex with a lingering Showa-era atmosphere. Noechi (Noe) and Nacchan (Natsuko), childhood friends who are both single and in their 50s, live in their respective family homes. Noechi, an adjunct lecturer at a university, and Natsuko, an unsuccessful illustrator, enjoy small joys by having dinner together or listing unwanted items on flea market apps. Although they have vague anxieties about the future, life is surprisingly enjoyable today with delicious food and close friends. This is a heartwarming story of friendship for adult women living in the modern age.
Comment from Original Author, Chiya Fujino
Regarding the start of this serialization, we received a comment from the original author, Chiya Fujino.
Chiya Fujino
Following the "two people" in the drama, here are the "two people" in the manga by Takako Shimura! How luxurious! What a happy original work. I'm excited! I can't wait to read about the peaceful and carefree days of Nacchan and Noechi, depicted with Takako-san's beautiful touch.
For those who experienced "Danchi-loss" after the drama version, please reunite with Noechi and Nacchan in the manga this time. Please enjoy a new "Futari wa Danchi" unique to Takako Shimura in the pages of "JOUR"!
Sample Reading of Original Novel "Futari wa Danchi"
https://colorful.futabanet.jp/articles/-/3194
JOUR Official HP
https://www.futabasha.co.jp/magazine/jour
Profiles
Chiya Fujino
In '95, she won the 14th Kaien Newcomer Literature Award for "Gogo no Jikangari." In '98, she won the 20th Noma Literary Newcomer Award for "Oshaberi Kaidan." In 2000, she received the 122nd Akutagawa Prize for "Natsu no Yakusoku." Her other works include "Route 225," "Kimi no Ita Hibi," "Henshuu Domo Atsumare!", "Toki An Mimika," and many others. "Futari wa Danchi" was broadcast as a drama in September '24, starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi, and was well-received. In '25, she received the 6th Miyazaki Hon-taisho for "Jiisanpo," followed by its sequel "Jiisanpo: Tsuma no Hanran." Recent works include "Danchi Meshi!" and "Boku, Baka Janai yo."
Takako Shimura
Her unique style of softly weaving together complex human dramas has earned her support from people of all ages and genders, transcending genres from seinen manga to yuri and BL. Her representative work "Otonani Natte mo" is scheduled for a drama adaptation in 2025, and "Awashima Hyakkei" is set for a TV anime adaptation starting in Spring 2026.
Bibliographic Information for Original Novel "Futari wa Danchi" (Futaba Bunko)
Price: 693 yen (tax included)
Format: Bunko (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-4-575-52765-0
Release Date: July 10, 2024
Book Information for Women's Manga Magazine "JOUR"
The women's manga magazine "JOUR" is a monthly manga magazine for women, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. It features a diverse lineup of works, from long-running popular series like "Madam Joker" and "Kaze no Pension" to the highly successful digital comic "Sefure no Shinkaku." It has many works adapted for screen, including the theatrical film "Sefure no Shinkaku." Recent TV dramas include "Shijukara" (2022), "Katakoi Gourmet Diary 2" (2022), "Mahou no Rinobe" (2022), "Guranma no Yuuutsu" (2023), and "Kita-kun ga Kawai Sugite Te ni Amaru node, 3-nin de Share suru Koto ni Shimashita." (2025). Several more works are planned for screen adaptation in the future. The magazine also focuses on born-digital works, with many hits including "Tonari no Shiba-kun wa Misete Kurenai."