Crunchyroll, the leading international streaming service for anime, has begun simulcasting the highly anticipated anime special, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – Stairway to Adulthood. The special premiered on Wednesday, December 31, bringing new content to fans worldwide shortly after its broadcast in Japan.
Diving into “Stairway to Adulthood”
The Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – Stairway to Adulthood special marks the end of a three-year hiatus for the anime series and features a never-before-seen narrative. It picks up sometime after the events of the third season, offering fans a fresh look at the beloved characters of Shuchiin Academy. The special is currently available on Crunchyroll exclusively in Japanese, with subtitle options in multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Production Details and Returning Staff
Many key figures from the staff of Kaguya-sama Seasons 1-3 returned to produce “Stairway to Adulthood,” ensuring a consistent quality and feel for the series. The special was announced in June 2025 and premiered on December 31 of the same year. The opening theme song is “Abunai Kioku” by Masayuki Suzuki feat. Aoi Koga.
The End of an Era: A New Film Announced
Following the release of the Stairway to Adulthood special in Japan, a brand-new Kaguya-sama: Love is War film was announced, which will serve as the anime’s grand finale. This concluding feature film will present an original story concept drafted by the series creator, Aka Akasaka, described as “new, but nostalgic.” Akasaka revealed that the team decided on this route about four years ago, and the new film will not be an adaptation of the manga, meaning any skipped manga material will not be covered.
The Enduring Appeal of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a popular slice-of-life romantic comedy that uniquely explores the “enemies-to-lovers” trope. The story centers on Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, the vice president and president of the elite Shuchiin Academy’s student council, respectively. Despite being ostensibly in love, their immense pride prevents them from confessing their feelings, leading to a continuous “war” of elaborate schemes to force the other to confess first.
Crunchyroll has been a long-standing platform for the Kaguya-sama anime, streaming previous seasons like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Ultra Romantic-. Fans interested in catching up on the series can find the first few seasons also streaming on Crunchyroll. This commitment to the franchise ensures that both new and long-time viewers can follow the intricate and hilarious mind games of Kaguya and Miyuki.
