A Star Brighter than the Sun

Sae Iwata grew up a little tougher and more blunt than the other kids, but she never forgot the soft smile of Koki Kamishiro, the fragile boy who once stole her heart. Years later, they're back under the same roof of junior high, and Koki has become popular and distant in a way that makes Sae rethink what she thought she knew. When they're paired on the sports festival committee, a lot of small, awkward moments — shared tasks, quiet looks, and old memories resurfacing — start to shift the way they relate. The show keeps its focus on everyday scenes and the slow, awkward unfolding of first love without relying on big twists.

Released in 2025, the animated series was created by Yasuhiro Nakanishi and Kazune Kawahara. The voice cast includes Minori Fujidera as Sae Iwata, Yuki Ono as Koki Kamishiro, Hina Youmiya as Hisui Onodera, Taito Ban as Yota Ayukawa, and Mutsumi Tamura as Mio Kagawa, bringing the characters to life with a light, expressive performance style.

Audience response so far leans positive, with a 7.9/10 average from early votes. Reviewers and viewers have highlighted how the show mixes comedy and quieter drama, using small-school rituals and social awkwardness to build emotional stakes. The writing gives space to misread signals, tentative courage, and the everyday humor that comes from being an adolescent.

As a recent release it hasn't yet left a broad cultural footprint, but its distinct school-festival set pieces and warm, character-driven scenes make it likely to find a niche among fans who like soft romances and slice-of-life moments. The visual attention to facial expressions and timing could help specific scenes stick with viewers.

At this stage there are no major industry awards or nominations reported for the series. Its future recognition will depend on how its word-of-mouth grows over the next award cycles.