Image: Hotaru no Hikari Band 1
AMBot | 06/01/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The Japanese manga series "Hotaru no Hikari" (roughly "Firefly Light") by Satoru Hiura is being adapted into a US series. As the industry portal Deadline exclusively reports, the production company Unapologetic Projects, known for the Sundance winner "Dìdi," has acquired the development rights. The series carries the English title "Hotaru’s Way."
The story revolves around the young woman Hotaru Amemiya, who by day appears as a competent assistant in the office and costume, but in the evenings eats takeout in dirty sweatpants and binge-watches reality shows. She strictly keeps her messy private life separate from work—until her former boss unexpectedly returns to their shared apartment. This conflict forces her to reconsider her career, love, and coming of age.
The manga was published from 2004 to 2009 in the magazine Kiss (Kodansha) and comprises 15 volumes. Over five million copies have been sold worldwide. As early as 2007, a successful live-action series was produced in Japan starring Haruka Ayase and Naohito Fujiki, followed by a second season in 2010 and a film in 2012 that grossed over 22 million US dollars.
The US adaptation will be helmed by Angela Nissel and Sasha Leigh Henry as showrunners. Nissel has been involved as a writer and producer on "Scrubs" and "Ginny & Georgia," among others, while Henry wrote for "Workin’ Moms" and created the comedy series "Bria Mack Gets a Life." The project is produced by Paige Hooper (head of the TV department at Unapologetic Projects), Motoko Kimura (known for the Japanese adaptation of "Yami no Ushijima-kun" and international co-productions), and Kate Kugler.
Satoru Hiura expressed surprise and delight: "Unbelievable—'Hotaru no Hikari' takes its first step into the world! When I received the inquiry, I thought it was a joke, but it seems to be true. I admire the work of Unapologetic Projects, which I experienced on a flight overseas in the film 'Dìdi,' and I am grateful that Motoko Kimura, whom I trust greatly with media adaptations of manga, is overseeing the project. As a drama fan, I am curious what kind of 'himono onna' (dried fish woman) will emerge."
Paige Hooper stated: "We are very excited to launch this new series. It is the first of several projects with which we are building a long-term development strategy. We have a strong pipeline and are eager to bring new works to the audience."
Motoko Kimura added: "Satoru Hiura's works always contain universal themes. I look forward to presenting this story, so long beloved in Japan, to a global audience together with great Hollywood creatives. The 'himono onna'—the dried fish woman—certainly exists everywhere in the world."
A broadcaster or streaming service, as well as the cast, have not yet been announced. The project is in the development phase.
The story revolves around the young woman Hotaru Amemiya, who by day appears as a competent assistant in the office and costume, but in the evenings eats takeout in dirty sweatpants and binge-watches reality shows. She strictly keeps her messy private life separate from work—until her former boss unexpectedly returns to their shared apartment. This conflict forces her to reconsider her career, love, and coming of age.
The manga was published from 2004 to 2009 in the magazine Kiss (Kodansha) and comprises 15 volumes. Over five million copies have been sold worldwide. As early as 2007, a successful live-action series was produced in Japan starring Haruka Ayase and Naohito Fujiki, followed by a second season in 2010 and a film in 2012 that grossed over 22 million US dollars.
The US adaptation will be helmed by Angela Nissel and Sasha Leigh Henry as showrunners. Nissel has been involved as a writer and producer on "Scrubs" and "Ginny & Georgia," among others, while Henry wrote for "Workin’ Moms" and created the comedy series "Bria Mack Gets a Life." The project is produced by Paige Hooper (head of the TV department at Unapologetic Projects), Motoko Kimura (known for the Japanese adaptation of "Yami no Ushijima-kun" and international co-productions), and Kate Kugler.
Satoru Hiura expressed surprise and delight: "Unbelievable—'Hotaru no Hikari' takes its first step into the world! When I received the inquiry, I thought it was a joke, but it seems to be true. I admire the work of Unapologetic Projects, which I experienced on a flight overseas in the film 'Dìdi,' and I am grateful that Motoko Kimura, whom I trust greatly with media adaptations of manga, is overseeing the project. As a drama fan, I am curious what kind of 'himono onna' (dried fish woman) will emerge."
Paige Hooper stated: "We are very excited to launch this new series. It is the first of several projects with which we are building a long-term development strategy. We have a strong pipeline and are eager to bring new works to the audience."
Motoko Kimura added: "Satoru Hiura's works always contain universal themes. I look forward to presenting this story, so long beloved in Japan, to a global audience together with great Hollywood creatives. The 'himono onna'—the dried fish woman—certainly exists everywhere in the world."
A broadcaster or streaming service, as well as the cast, have not yet been announced. The project is in the development phase.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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