The official website for the anime adaptation of Kazune Kawahara’s popular manga, A Star Brighter Than the Sun (Taiyō Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi), announced today that a second season is officially in production. The news comes swiftly after the broadcast of the first season’s 12th and final episode, which aired on December 18, 2025.
Original manga creator Kazune Kawahara shared a special commemorative illustration and a comment in celebration of the sequel’s confirmation, expressing gratitude to fans and the production staff. While the announcement confirms the continuation of the beloved romance story, specific details regarding the second season’s release date have not yet been revealed.
First Season’s Successful Run and Production Details
The first season of A Star Brighter Than the Sun premiered on October 2, 2025, broadcasting on the TBS channel and its affiliates in Japan. For international viewers, Amazon’s Prime Video streamed the series worldwide, making it accessible to a global audience. The anime also had its world premiere at Anime Expo in July.
Studio KAI was responsible for the animation production of the first season. Sayaka Kobayashi directed the series, with Yasuhiro Nakanishi handling the series scripts. Jin Feng Zeng designed the characters, and the musical score was composed by Natsumi Tabuchi and Miki Sakurai. The opening theme song, “Stellar Days,” was performed by Motohiro Hata, while Wanuka performed the ending theme, “Saishin-wa” (Latest Episode).
The main voice cast for the first season included:
- Minori Fujidera as Sae Iwata.
- Yūki Ono as Kōki Kamishiro.
- Hina Yomiya as Hisui Onodera.
- Taito Ban as Yōta Ayukawa.
- Mutsumi Tamura as Mio Kagawa.
- Ryōta Ōsaka as Yūshin Izawa.
- Haruka Shiraishi as Subaru Kamishiro.
The Story of Sae and Kōki Continues
A Star Brighter Than the Sun is based on Kazune Kawahara’s shōjo manga, which began serialization in Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine in June 2021. Viz Media has licensed the manga for English publication, releasing its first volume on March 4 and the fourth volume on December 2.
The romantic narrative follows Sae Iwata and Kōki Kamishiro, who have been childhood friends. Sae experiences a revelation at the end of middle school, realizing her feelings for Kōki. As they navigate high school, Sae finds herself grappling with these emotions, especially as Kōki’s popularity grows. The story explores the complexities of first love and growing up, with Sae’s long-hidden feelings stirring once more when they are paired together for a school event. Fans eagerly await to see how the next chapter of their sparkling first-love story will unfold in the newly announced second season.
