『Danchi no Futari』, a Drama Co-starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi, Now a Comic Adaptation! A Miraculous Collaboration Between Novelist Chiyo Fujino and Manga Artist Takako Shimura!

Chiyo Fujino's masterpiece novel 'Danchi no Futari' (Futaba Bunko), which was adapted into a drama in 2024 co-starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi and received a huge response with comments like "The friendship of women in their 50s is too precious" and "I want to age like this," will now be serialized as a comic adaptation by popular manga artist Takako Shimura in the women's manga magazine "JOUR," starting with the May issue (released April 2).

This is the first time Takako Shimura has adapted a novel by Chiyo Fujino into a comic since 'Route 225,' which was serialized in "Monthly Shonen Sirius" (Kodansha) from 2007 to 2008. After 20 years, a miraculous collaboration has been realized once again!

Synopsis of 'Danchi no Futari'

The setting is an old housing complex with a lingering Showa-era atmosphere. Noechi (Noe) and Nacchan (Natsuko), childhood friends, both single and in their 50s, live in their respective family homes. Noechi, a part-time university lecturer, and Natsuko, a struggling illustrator, enjoy small pleasures in their daily lives, such as sharing dinner or selling unwanted items on a flea market app. While they have vague anxieties about the future, life is surprisingly enjoyable today, savoring delicious food and having a close friend. This is a heartwarming story of friendship for adult women living in the modern age.

Comment from Original Author Chiyo Fujino

We received a comment from the original author, Chiyo Fujino, regarding the start of this serialization.

For those who experienced "danchi loss" after the drama version, please reunite with Noechi and Nacchan in the manga this time. Enjoy Takako Shimura's unique, new 'Danchi no Futari' in the pages of "JOUR"!

Trial Reading of the Original 'Danchi no Futari'

https://colorful.futabanet.jp/articles/-/3194

JOUR Official Website

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

Profiles

Chiyo Fujino

In 1995, she won the 14th Kaien New Writers' Award for 'Gogo no Jikanwari'. In 1998, she received the 20th Noma Literary New Face Award for 'Oshaberi Kaidan'. In 2000, she won the 122nd Akutagawa Prize for 'Natsu no Yakusoku'. Her other works include 'Route 225', 'Kimi no Ita Hibi', 'Henshu-domo Atsumare!', and 'Tokiana Mimika'. 'Danchi no Futari' was broadcast as a drama co-starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi in September 2024 and was well-received. In 2025, she won the 6th Miyazaki Book Award for 'Jii Sanpo', with a sequel 'Jii Sanpo Tsuma no Hanran'. Recent works include 'Danchi Meshi!' and 'Boku, Baka Janai yo'.

Takako Shimura

Her unique style, gently weaving swaying human relationships, has garnered support from all ages and genders, transcending genres from seinen manga to yuri and BL. Her representative work 'Otona ni Nattemo' is scheduled for a drama adaptation in 2025, and 'Awashima Hyakkei' is set to be adapted into a TV anime from spring 2026.

Original Work 'Danchi no Futari' (Futaba Bunko) Bibliographic Information

Price: 693 yen (tax included)

Format: Bunko (paperback)

ISBN: 978-4-575-52765-0

Release Date: July 10, 2024

Featured Magazine: Women's Manga Magazine 'JOUR' Book Information

The women's manga magazine 'JOUR' celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. It features a diverse lineup of works, from popular long-running series like 'Madam Joker' and 'Kaze no Pension' to 'Sefure no Hinkaku,' which was a huge hit in electronic comics. Many of its works have been adapted into visual media, including 'Sefure no Hinkaku' which was made into a theatrical film, 'Shijukara', 'Katakoi Gourmet Nikki 2', 'Mahou no Rinobe' in 2022, 'Grandma no Yuuutsu' in 2023, and 'Kita-kun ga Kawaisugite Te ni Amaru node, 3-nin de Share Suru Koto ni Shimashita.' in 2025, all adapted into TV dramas. Multiple other works are also planned for visual adaptation. Furthermore, the magazine is focusing on born-digital works, with many hit titles emerging, including 'Tonari no Shiba-kun wa Misetekurenai'.