I'm Standing on a Million Lives
| Company type | Manga series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manga, Anime |
| Founded | June 9, 2016 |
| Founder | Naoki Yamakawa, Akinari Nao |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga, Anime adaptation, Novel |
| Parent | Kodansha |
| Website | kodansha |
I'm Standing on a Million Lives is a Japanese manga series created by Naoki Yamakawa and Akinari Nao. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine since June 2016 and is licensed for North American distribution by Kodansha USA. The anime adaptation, produced by Maho Film, aired across two seasons from October 2020 through September 2021.
Plot
Yuusuke Yotsuya, Iu Shindo, and Kusue Hakozaki find themselves summoned by a mysterious half-masked entity to undertake time-limited quests. They possess near-immortality, reviving after death provided that at least one member remains alive until the countdown ends.
Later joined by Yuka Yukitate, Keita Torii, and Glenda Carter, the team completes their missions and returns to everyday life, only to be called back again for fresh challenges after several years. Following each quest, the enigmatic creature answers their inquiries, revealing that their adventures span numerous alternate realities and timelines.
Characters
- Pragmatic and socially withdrawn, Yuusuke focuses primarily on survival rather than social conventions. His layered emotions compel him to act benevolently only when it aligns with his survival in the game’s high-stakes death-or-right-choice scenarios.
- Summoned by the game master, Iu comes from a difficult past and views the game as an opportunity for self-betterment.
- A frail participant aspiring to become a physician, Kusue engages in quests to increase her endurance and personal growth.
- Although rescued by Yuusuke, Yuka remains wary of his tactics. Inspired by magical girl anime, she pursues the path of a mage.
- An NPC knight hailing from Cortanel who assists the group during a cargo mission. She develops romantic feelings for Yuusuke, eventually has two children, loses her sword arm fighting the Deokk Empire, and passes away from old age during the fifth round.
- A former assailant spared from arrest thanks to Yuusuke’s intervention. In gratitude for having his family’s debts cleared, he embraces gaming and joins Yuusuke’s team after being summoned.
- An NPC who performs ritual dances alongside Aoyu within their island community.
- Yana’s dance partner who falls in love with Yuusuke and later expresses a desire to retire and marry him.
- A mercenary commander who survives initial events, becomes a sorcerer by the sixth round, but dies in the seventh round.
- An island native turned mercenary warrior who sacrifices himself defending villagers against orc attacks and volcanic hazards.
- A foreign adventurer who documents her journey with a camera and joins as another player summoned by the game master.
- Habaki Futashige
- A salaryman who becomes a player following his company’s bankruptcy and subsequent unpaid wages.
- Malita
- An NPC militia fighter involved in covert conflicts. After losing loved ones in battle, she transforms into a berserker by the seventh round.
Manga
I'm Standing on a Million Lives, authored by Naoki Yamakawa with illustrations by Akinari Nao, began its run in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine on June 9, 2016. The storyline entered its "final decisive battle" arc on June 9, 2023. Kodansha has released the chapters compiled into tankōbon volumes; the inaugural volume was published on October 7, 2016. As of April 9, 2025, twenty-one volumes are available.
In North America, Kodansha USA holds the English licensing rights and has issued digital versions since July 3, 2018, followed by print editions beginning May 28, 2019.
Anime
On March 3, 2020, an anime television adaptation was officially revealed, with production handled by Maho Film and direction by Kumiko Habara. The series broadcasted from October 2 through December 18, 2020, across Tokyo MX and additional networks. The opening theme, "Anti world," was performed by Kanako Takatsuki, while the ending theme, "Carpe Diem," featured vocals by Liyuu. This 12-episode installment was made available internationally outside Asia via Crunchyroll, and Medialink secured licensing rights for Southeast and South Asia, streaming it on the Ani-One YouTube channel and iQIYI.
Following the conclusion of the first season, a second season was announced on December 18, 2020. It aired from July 10 to September 25, 2021. The opening theme for this season, "Baddest," was performed by VTuber Kaede Higuchi, while Takatsuki returned to provide the ending theme titled "Subversive."
On May 18, 2021, home video distribution rights were obtained by Sentai Filmworks.
Season 1
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Novel
A novelization authored by Sawako Kobayashi with artwork by Nao was released through Kodansha on July 9, 2021.
See also
- My Home Hero, a manga series penned by Naoki Yamakawa
- Trinity Seven, a manga illustrated by Akinari Nao
External links
- ↑ "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime "Hyakuman no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatte Iru" Kōshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ「100万の命の上に俺は立っている」公式サイト [Story | TV Anime "I'm Standing on a Million Lives" Official Website]. 1000000-lives.com (in 日本語). Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ↑ "I'm Standing on a Million Lives - Watch on Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ↑ "On'ea | Terebi Anime "Hyakuman no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatte Iru" Kōshiki Saito" ONAIR | TVアニメ「100万の命の上に俺は立っている」公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime "I'm Standing on a Million Lives" Official Website]. 1000000-lives.com (in 日本語). Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.