Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Cherry Magic!

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Entertainment (Manga, Anime, Television, Film)
Founded	2018
Founder	Yuu Toyota
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, anime television series, live-action TV drama, film, stage musical

is a Japanese boys' love (BL) manga series created by Yuu Toyota. The author first shared the comics on her Twitter and Pixiv platforms in January 2018. Subsequently, Gangan Comics approached Toyota, leading to the manga's digital serialization under their label through Pixiv Comics.

A live-action TV drama adaptation was broadcast from October 9 to December 24, 2020, on TV Tokyo's block, garnering strong viewership throughout its airing. This was followed by a sequel film released on April 8, 2022. Additionally, an anime television series produced by Satelight aired between January and March 2024.

Plot

Kiyoshi Adachi, having reached 30 years of age without any sexual experience, suddenly acquires the ability to hear people's thoughts upon physical contact, becoming a "". He soon uncovers that his popular colleague Yuichi Kurosawa harbors secret romantic feelings for him. As Adachi navigates the discomfort of hearing Kurosawa's honest emotions, he comes to recognize Kurosawa’s profound affection and gradually begins to reciprocate those feelings.

Characters

Adachi is a salaryman who gains telepathic powers through touch after turning 30 as a virgin. Characterized as "serious and straightforward," he initially struggles with self-esteem but experiences personal growth through his relationship with Kurosawa.

Kurosawa is an attractive and well-liked salaryman who secretly loves Adachi. Though confident outwardly, he conceals sincere and deep emotions.

Tsuge, a college friend of Adachi and a romance novelist, also develops mind-reading abilities at age 30. He cares for a rescued cat named Udon and begins to develop feelings for Minato.

Minato works as a deliveryman in Tsuge’s neighborhood and forms a connection through Tsuge’s cat Udon.

Rokkaku is one of Adachi’s co-workers.

Fujisaki is another colleague of Adachi.

Urabe is also part of Adachi’s workplace.

Development

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! originated as a four-page comic posted by Yuu Toyota on Twitter and Pixiv in January 2018. The concept was developed years earlier, inspired by the notion of acquiring magical abilities after remaining a virgin beyond age 30 and exploring the nuances of inexperienced love. Initially, the main couple was envisioned differently; however, Toyota found it more compelling for the character with magical powers to be the one pursued. The protagonists Adachi and Kurosawa were crafted to contrast in confidence levels and experience. Toyota deliberately left their relationship dynamics ambiguous.

The narrative highlights that self-assurance is crucial for personal development, even when magical powers are involved. Shortly after the initial posting, editor Ito reached out via Twitter offering a publishing opportunity and assigned Kawai as Toyota’s editor. The manga attracted a broad audience including male readers and younger demographics, prompting Toyota to add a disclaimer regarding mature themes without explicit content.

Manga

Created by Yuu Toyota, Cherry Magic! has been digitally serialized on Gangan Pixiv since September 2018. Square Enix has compiled the chapters into fifteen tankōbon volumes.

A drama CD adaptation released in October 2019 featured voice actors Atsushi Abe (Adachi), Takuya Satō (Kurosawa), Kazuyuki Okitsu (Tsuge), and Kōhei Amasaki (Minato), with narration by Kentaro Tone.

A Chinese radio drama adaptation began airing on MissEvan in April 2022, consisting of 13 episodes plus two special episodes.

At Anime Expo 2019, Square Enix announced plans to distribute the series in English starting in 2020, marking their inaugural boys’ love title.

Television Drama

In September 2020, a live-action television adaptation was revealed, featuring Eiji Akaso in the role of Adachi and Keita Machida portraying Kurosawa. The cast also includes Kodai Asaka, Yutaro, Takuya Kusakawa, Ryo Sato, and Suzunosuke. Directed by Hiroki Kazama with a script by Erika Yoshida, the series was broadcast from October 9 through December 24, 2020, within TV Tokyo's programming lineup. Additionally, it was made available on Tsutaya's digital streaming platform. The opening track is "Ubugoe" by Omoinotake, while Deep Squad performs the ending theme "Good Love Your Love." On December 24, Tsutaya released two special episodes exclusively via their streaming service.

Yuu Toyota initially questioned Akaso’s suitability for the "nerdy" character of Adachi but ultimately praised his portrayal. She also requested that the production avoid any disparaging remarks about the genre or those who are virgins.

By December 2020, Crunchyroll had acquired licensing rights to distribute the series in English-speaking regions outside Asia.

Film

A live-action movie continuation premiered across Japan on April 8, 2022, acting as a sequel to the television adaptation with the original cast returning to their roles. The film’s theme song is "Shinon" by Omoinotake, complemented by the insert track "Gimme Gimme" performed by Deep Squad.

Upon release, the film ranked sixth at the box office during its opening weekend. Yuu Toyota, creator of the original manga, contributed a portion of the adaptation rights revenue to Marriage for All Japan, an organization advocating for marriage equality.

Anime

On July 14, 2023, an anime television adaptation was announced. Produced by Satelight and helmed by director Yoshiko Okuda, the series features scripts written by Tomoko Konparu, character designs by Takahiro Kishida, and a musical score composed by Tomoki Hasegawa. It aired from January 11 to March 28, 2024, on TV Tokyo and BS TV Tokyo.

The opening theme song is "Hajimete wa Zenbu-kun ga Ii," performed by Koe ni Naranai yo. The ending theme "Magical Love" is sung by Chiaki Kobayashi and Ryōta Suzuki. Outside Asia, Crunchyroll holds distribution rights, whereas Medialink manages streaming in South and Southeast Asia via Ani-One Asia.

In July 2024, Crunchyroll announced an English-language dub of the series.

Following the anime’s finale, a theatrical compilation film was scheduled for release in Japan on December 13, 2024. The ending theme for this film is "Love Candle," performed again by Chiaki Kobayashi and Ryōta Suzuki.

Additional adaptations

In November 2022, approval was granted for a Thai television drama adaptation, which premiered in December 2023. This series is directed by Nuttapong Mongkolsawas and features performances by Tawan Vihokratana and Thitipoom Techaapaikhun.

A stage musical titled CheriMaho The Musical is planned to be performed at Tokyo Dome City Hall from April 11 to 20, 2025, followed by a run at iplaza Toyohashi in Aichi from April 25 to 27, 2025. The production is both written and directed by Keita Kawajiri and stars Ryo Matsuda as Kiyoshi Adachi, Yoshihiko Aramaki portraying Yuichi Kurosawa, alongside other prominent cast members.

Reception

Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network commended the narrative, comedic elements, and romantic aspects, although she remarked that the storyline occasionally became "convoluted" and somewhat restrained considering its mature content rating. Faye Hopper appreciated the "adorable" romantic dynamic but raised concerns about humor derived from Kurosawa's explicit daydreams about Adachi. During its release week, Volume 2 achieved seventh place in sales at Tsutaya.

The live-action drama adaptation experienced a progressive increase in viewer satisfaction ratings, beginning at 27/100 for the initial episode and climbing steadily to reach 90/100 by episode ten. Throughout its broadcast, it consistently ranked among the top-rated weekly programs. In Taiwan, the drama maintained its position as the most-watched show on for six consecutive weeks.

See also

• Papa and Daddy's Home Cooking, another manga title authored by Yuu Toyota