A Galaxy Next Door

Kodansha

Industry	Publishing
Founded	December 13, 1909 (1909-12-13) in Tokyo, Japan
Headquarters	Tokyo , Japan
Products	Manga, magazines, books

is a Japanese manga created by . It was serialized in Kodansha's seinen publication Good! Afternoon from April 2020 until June 2023, encompassing six volumes. A live-action television drama adaptation was broadcast on NHK between April and May 2023, followed by an anime series produced by Asahi Production, which aired from April through June 2023.

Plot

Ichiro Kuga, a manga artist facing financial difficulties, takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings after their father's passing. To provide for them, he rents out rooms in his apartment and dedicates himself to completing his manga despite poor sales and demanding deadlines. His situation improves when Shiori Goshiki, an emerging artist with great potential, joins him as an assistant. Their collaboration encounters obstacles within the industry, and a supernatural incident causes Shiori to claim they are engaged. Ichiro now must juggle this unexpected relationship alongside his familial duties and creative work.

Characters

A 23-year-old manga creator who made his debut shortly after finishing high school. After losing his father, he remains devoted to funding his siblings’ education. Writing under the pseudonym Kokone Momoty, he transitioned from shōnen manga to shōjo manga, with his work serialized in Monthly Anko. Following an incident involving Shiori’s thorn, he becomes mystically linked to her, experiencing pain when separated.

A 19-year-old princess from the shooting star clan serving as Ichiro’s assistant. Though traditionally promised in marriage by her family, she chose love instead. Their bond through her thorn compels them to live together, which blossoms into a romantic relationship.

Ichiro’s younger sister who dreams of becoming a fortune teller.

The younger brother of Ichiro and Machi, shy but genuine and maintains close relationships.

A 16-year-old cousin of Ichiro residing in the same apartment complex.

The editor overseeing Ichiro’s manga projects.

Masahiro’s spouse and author of Shishi no Kenshi under the pen name Katamari Niku; admired by Shiori.

Creator of magical girl manga who is assisted by Shiori and acquainted with Ichiro’s family.

Shiori’s strict mother who raised her as the heir to their family legacy.

Shiori’s gentle father.

A devoted retainer of the Goshiki family who supports Shiori.

Another follower of the Goshiki household who opposes Ichiro due to his intention to marry Shiori.

Manga

Authored and illustrated by , A Galaxy Next Door started its run in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Good! Afternoon on April 7, 2020. The series concluded on May 6, 2023, with a final epilogue chapter released on June 7, 2023. Kodansha collected the chapters into six volumes published between November 6, 2020, and July 6, 2023.

In June 2021, Kodansha USA announced plans for an English-language release in North America. The six volumes were issued from April 26, 2022, through May 14, 2024.

Drama

A television drama adaptation was revealed in January 2023, directed by Yoshihito Okashita, Izuru Kumasaka, and Masayuki Kokuryō. The show aired a total of 32 episodes on NHK from April 3 until May 25, 2023.

Episodes

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Anime

In April 2022, it was revealed that the series would receive an anime television adaptation, with production handled by Asahi Production. The project was directed by Ryuichi Kimura, featuring scripts written by Gigaemon Ichikawa and character designs crafted by Fuyuka Ōtaki. The anime broadcasted from April 9 through June 25, 2023, on Tokyo MX and BS11. Chinatsu Matsumoto performed the opening theme, while the ending theme, titled "Near Stella," was sung by Yū Wakui.

For audiences outside of East Asia, Crunchyroll provided streaming access to the series. Meanwhile, Medialink secured licensing rights for Asia and Oceania—excluding Australia and New Zealand—and distributed it via Ani-One YouTube channels.

See also

• Sweetness and Lightning, another manga created by the same author