=LOVE's Hana Oba to Release Comic Essay 'Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~' on August 7th, 'Hana Day'!
KADOKAWA Corporation will release 'Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~,' a comic essay by Hana Oba of the idol group =LOVE, on August 7, 2026. The book, an adaptation of her popular web series, depicts the daily life and behind-the-scenes stories of idols, with commemorative events also planned.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 15:00
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KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Takeshi Natsuno) will release "Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~" on Friday, August 7, 2026.
©KADOKAWA
Hana Oba, a member of the idol group =LOVE (Equal Love) produced by Rino Sashihara, is also involved in producing official merchandise using her special skill in illustration.
Her comic essay "Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~," which was serialized on the WEB media "Walker Plus" from September 2022 to March 2026 and garnered a huge response as it allowed a peek behind the scenes of idols, has now been decided for a long-awaited book release.
This work, in which Hana Oba herself depicts the "daily life of an idol," such as music production, lessons, handshake events, and live performances, with loose and cute illustrations, also includes production secrets of hit songs. These include "Zettai Idol Yamenaide" (Don't Ever Quit Being an Idol), which became a big topic mainly on SNS as "the ultimate love song of the Reiwa era," and "Tokubetsu shite" (Do Something Special for Me), for which producer Rino Sashihara won the poetry award at "The 67th Japan Record Awards" broadcast on December 30, 2025.
In addition to members of =LOVE, members of their sister groups ≠ME (Not Equal Me) and ≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy) also appear. The loveliness of =LOVE, ≠ME, and ≒JOY members, depicted from the closest perspective of being idols themselves, is also a must-see.
Furthermore, the book includes original content such as newly drawn episodes depicting the origin of her aspiration to become an idol, and specially shot live-action photos taken for this work.
It is a fulfilling single volume that allows readers to feel as if "an idol is right next to them."
◇Hana Oba's Comment
The book adaptation of "Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~" has been decided! !
A book adaptation has always been my dream! I have diligently drawn towards this goal! !
If you compare the early Hanacomi with the current Hanacomi, I think it has become quite a growth story! !(lol)
I also had new manga, illustrations, and newly taken photos! ♡
I would be delighted if you would pick it up and read it many times! ! Thank you very much! !
＜Bibliographic Data＞
Title: Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~
Price: 1,760 yen (10% tax included)
Release Date: Scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026
Specifications: A5 size / 160 pages
Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation
◆Special Release Event to be Held!
To commemorate the release of this book, a special release event featuring Hana Oba herself will be held on the following dates!
■Hand-over Event
【Date】
Saturday, August 15, 2026, at a certain location in Tokyo *Only participants will be notified.
【Event Details】
《3-book ticket》
- Sign and personalize one book brought by the customer on the spot.
- Staff will hand over one special poster.
- Staff will hand over two regular books.
《5-book ticket》
- Sign and personalize one book brought by the customer on the spot.
- Personalize one pre-signed special poster on the spot and hand it over directly from Hana Oba.
- Staff will hand over four regular books.
■Online Autograph Session
【Date】
Friday, August 7, 2026
【Event Details】
《3-book ticket》
- Sign, personalize, and write a comment in one book.
- One special newly shot visual postcard (random from 3 types).
- Two regular books.
◆Digital Bonus Edition with Illustrations from the Book Also to be Released!
■Amazon.co.jp Exclusive Original Smartphone Wallpaper
For those who purchase the physical book on Amazon, an original smartphone wallpaper using illustrations from this book will be distributed! (Bonus distribution period: until October 23, 2026)
*The bonus is for those who purchase by 23:59 on October 23. Purchases made after the eligible period will not receive the bonus.
*The Kindle version does not include the bonus.
*The bonus download email will be sent at the time of product shipment. Please note that shipping may be delayed from the scheduled date due to weather, customer purchase status, and other conditions.
©KADOKAWA
Hana Oba, a member of the idol group =LOVE (Equal Love) produced by Rino Sashihara, is also involved in producing official merchandise using her special skill in illustration.
Her comic essay "Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~," which was serialized on the WEB media "Walker Plus" from September 2022 to March 2026 and garnered a huge response as it allowed a peek behind the scenes of idols, has now been decided for a long-awaited book release.
This work, in which Hana Oba herself depicts the "daily life of an idol," such as music production, lessons, handshake events, and live performances, with loose and cute illustrations, also includes production secrets of hit songs. These include "Zettai Idol Yamenaide" (Don't Ever Quit Being an Idol), which became a big topic mainly on SNS as "the ultimate love song of the Reiwa era," and "Tokubetsu shite" (Do Something Special for Me), for which producer Rino Sashihara won the poetry award at "The 67th Japan Record Awards" broadcast on December 30, 2025.
In addition to members of =LOVE, members of their sister groups ≠ME (Not Equal Me) and ≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy) also appear. The loveliness of =LOVE, ≠ME, and ≒JOY members, depicted from the closest perspective of being idols themselves, is also a must-see.
Furthermore, the book includes original content such as newly drawn episodes depicting the origin of her aspiration to become an idol, and specially shot live-action photos taken for this work.
It is a fulfilling single volume that allows readers to feel as if "an idol is right next to them."
◇Hana Oba's Comment
The book adaptation of "Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~" has been decided! !
A book adaptation has always been my dream! I have diligently drawn towards this goal! !
If you compare the early Hanacomi with the current Hanacomi, I think it has become quite a growth story! !(lol)
I also had new manga, illustrations, and newly taken photos! ♡
I would be delighted if you would pick it up and read it many times! ! Thank you very much! !
＜Bibliographic Data＞
Title: Hanacomi! ~An Idol Next Door~
Price: 1,760 yen (10% tax included)
Release Date: Scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026
Specifications: A5 size / 160 pages
Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation
◆Special Release Event to be Held!
To commemorate the release of this book, a special release event featuring Hana Oba herself will be held on the following dates!
■Hand-over Event
【Date】
Saturday, August 15, 2026, at a certain location in Tokyo *Only participants will be notified.
【Event Details】
《3-book ticket》
- Sign and personalize one book brought by the customer on the spot.
- Staff will hand over one special poster.
- Staff will hand over two regular books.
《5-book ticket》
- Sign and personalize one book brought by the customer on the spot.
- Personalize one pre-signed special poster on the spot and hand it over directly from Hana Oba.
- Staff will hand over four regular books.
■Online Autograph Session
【Date】
Friday, August 7, 2026
【Event Details】
《3-book ticket》
- Sign, personalize, and write a comment in one book.
- One special newly shot visual postcard (random from 3 types).
- Two regular books.
◆Digital Bonus Edition with Illustrations from the Book Also to be Released!
■Amazon.co.jp Exclusive Original Smartphone Wallpaper
For those who purchase the physical book on Amazon, an original smartphone wallpaper using illustrations from this book will be distributed! (Bonus distribution period: until October 23, 2026)
*The bonus is for those who purchase by 23:59 on October 23. Purchases made after the eligible period will not receive the bonus.
*The Kindle version does not include the bonus.
*The bonus download email will be sent at the time of product shipment. Please note that shipping may be delayed from the scheduled date due to weather, customer purchase status, and other conditions.