Play It Cool, Guys
Play It Cool, Guys (Japanese: クールドジ男子, Hepburn: Kūru Doji Danshi, lit. "Cool Clumsy Guys") is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Kokone Nata. It has been serialized on the Pixiv website since February 2019, with its chapters collected into five tankōbon volumes as of October 2022. An anime television series adaptation by Pierrot aired from October 2022 to March 2023. A television drama adaptation premiered in April 2023.
| Play It Cool, Guys | |
 Cover of the first tankōbon volume | |
| クールドジ男子 (Kūru Doji Danshi) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy,[1] slice of life[2] |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Kokone Nata |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Gangan Comics Pixiv |
| Magazine |
|
| Demographic | Josei |
| Original run | February 23, 2019 – present |
| Volumes | 5 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Chiaki Kon |
| Written by | Makoto Uezu |
| Music by | Masato Nakayama |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
| Original network | TV Tokyo, AT-X, BS11 |
| Original run | October 11, 2022 – March 28, 2023 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Original net animation | |
| Petit Cool Doji Danshi no Hitokoma | |
| Directed by | Yū Hayata |
| Written by | Mao Emura |
| Studio | Aqua Aris |
| Released | March 21, 2023 – March 28, 2023 |
| Episodes | 2 |
| Television drama | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by | Hiroyuki Komine |
| Original network | TV Tokyo |
| Original run | April 15, 2023 – present |
| Episodes | 7 |
Characters
- Hayate Ichikura (一倉 颯, Ichikura Hayate)
- Voiced by: Chiaki Kobayashi[3]
- Portrayed by: Yuta Nakamoto[4]
- Hayate is a 20-year-old university student majoring in economics. He gets embarrassed whenever he becomes clumsy. He loves animals and enjoys reading.
- Shun Futami (二見 瞬, Futami Shun)
- Voiced by: Koki Uchiyama[3]
- Portrayed by: Maito Fujioka[4]
- Shun is a 17-year-old high school student who is athletic. He tends to pretend whatever clumsy action he has done was made on purpose. He enjoys playing sports.
- Takayuki Mima (三間 貴之, Mima Takayuki)
- Voiced by: Yūichirō Umehara[3]
- Portrayed by: Dori Sakurada[4]
- Mima is a 27-year-old salaryman who is seen as a mascot by his co-workers. He tends to be unfazed and oblivious whenever he becomes clumsy. He is childhood friends with Motoharu.
- Sōma Shiki (四季 蒼真, Shiki Sōma)
- Voiced by: Shōya Chiba[3]
- Portrayed by: Takumi Kawanishi[4]
- Sōma is a 19-year-old vocational student studying at a vocational design school. He tends to be positive whenever he does something clumsy.
- Motoharu Igarashi (五十嵐 元晴, Igarashi Motoharu)
- Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa[5]
- Igarashi is a 27-year-old author and a friend of Mima's from elementary school. He is described as a genius who can be clumsy as well.
- Asami Futami (二見 あさみ, Futami Asami)
- Voiced by: Satomi Satō[6]
- Portrayed by: Ryō Satō[7]
- Asami is Shun's older sister and the owner of the cafe Hayate and Sōma work at.
- Sōta Shiki (四季 爽太, Shiki Sōta)
- Voiced by: Kazuyuki Okitsu[6]
- Portrayed by: Kazuma Sano[7]
- Sōta is Mima's superior at work and Sōma's older brother.
- Kurosaki (黒崎)
- Voiced by: Taku Yashiro[6]
- Portrayed by: Kentarō Tomita[7]
- Akai (赤井)
- Voiced by: Kengo Takanashi[6]
- Kida (黄田)
- Voiced by: Seiichiro Yamashita[6]
- Aoyama (青山)
- Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki[6]
- Momo Momosaki (桃崎 もも, Momosaki Momo)
- Voiced by: Haruka Shiraishi[6]
- Akane Kōno (紅野 茜, Kōno Akane)
- Voiced by: Yō Taichi[6]
- Shirakawa (白川)
- Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi[8]
Production
While the manga series is in full color, Kokone Nata can color one page in about 30 minutes so she can finish the coloring work of 19 pages within one day.[9]
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Kokone Nata, Play It Cool, Guys started as a series of illustrations published on the author's Twitter account since May 11, 2018,[10] before being serialized as a web manga on Pixiv on February 23, 2019.[11] The manga has also been serialized on Pixiv's Pixiv Comic service.[12] As of October 2022, five tankōbon volumes have been released by Square Enix under its Gangan Comics Pixiv imprint.[13] In North America, Yen Press is publishing the series in English.[14]
Volumes
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 2019[15] | 978-4-75-755934-9 | March 9, 2021[16] | 978-1-97-532152-9 |
| 2 | March 21, 2020[17] | 978-4-75-756544-9 | June 29, 2021[18] | 978-1-97-532408-7 |
| 3 | January 22, 2021[19] | 978-4-75-756821-1 | May 24, 2022[20] | 978-1-97-533826-8 |
| 4 | November 22, 2021[21] | 978-4-75-757585-1 | September 27, 2022[22] | 978-1-97-534668-3 |
| 5 | October 21, 2022[13] | 978-4-75-758150-0 | January 23, 2024[23] | 978-1-97-537540-9 |
Novel
A novel adaptation written by Shino Kaida, titled Cool Doji Danshi: Connect It Cool, Guys, was published by Square Enix on March 21, 2020.[24]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on April 22, 2022. It is produced by Pierrot and directed by Chiaki Kon, with scripts written by Makoto Uezu, and music composed by Masato Nakayama. Eri Taguchi is handling the character designs and serving as chief animation director.[3][1] The series aired from October 11, 2022, to March 28, 2023, on TV Tokyo, AT-X, and BS11.[lower-alpha 1] It ran for two cours, and consisted of 15-minute episodes.[25] The opening theme songs are "Seishun Kippu" (青春切符, "Youth Ticket") by Mafumafu and "Warau na!" (笑うな！, "Don't Laugh!") by Syudou.[8] The ending theme songs are "Flash!" and "Taisetsu" (たいせつ, "Precious"), both performed by PICG, a unit composed of Chiaki Kobayashi, Koki Uchiyama, Yūichirō Umehara, and Shōya Chiba.[6][5][26] Crunchyroll licensed the series.[27]
A two-episode spin-off anime, titled Petit Cool Doji Danshi no Hitokoma, premiered on NTT Docomo's dTV streaming service on March 21 and March 28, 2023. It is produced by Aqua Aris, with Yū Hayata directing and providing the character designs, and Mao Emura writing the screenplay.[28]
Episodes
| No. | Title [29][30] | Directed by [29] | Written by [29] | Storyboarded by [29] | Original air date [31] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Ichikura Hayate" Transcription: "Ichikura Hayate" (Japanese: 一倉颯) | Chiaki Kon | Makoto Uezu | Chiaki Kon | October 11, 2022 |
| 2 | "Futami Shun" Transcription: "Futami Shun" (Japanese: 二見瞬) | Chiaki Kon | Yasuko Aoki | Chiaki Kon | October 18, 2022 |
| 3 | "Mima Takayuki" Transcription: "Mima Takayuki" (Japanese: 三間貴之) | Nozomi Fukui | Tomoharu Suzuki | Chiaki Kon | October 25, 2022 |
| 4 | "Shiki Souma" Transcription: "Shiki Sōma" (Japanese: 四季蒼真) | Nozomi Fukui | Yasuko Aoki | Chiaki Kon | November 1, 2022 |
| 5 | "Shared Table" Transcription: "Aiseki" (Japanese: 相席) | Yūta Suzuki | Makoto Uezu | Chiaki Kon | November 8, 2022 |
| 6 | "Things in Common" Transcription: "Kyōtsūten" (Japanese: 共通点) | Yūta Suzuki | Tomoharu Suzuki | Chiaki Kon | November 15, 2022[lower-alpha 2] |
| 7 | "Loop" Transcription: "Rūpu" (Japanese: ループ) | Takahiro Enokida | Makoto Uezu | Chiaki Kon | November 22, 2022 |
| 8 | "Detour" Transcription: "Mawarimichi" (Japanese: まわりみち) | Takahiro Enokida | Yasuko Aoki | Chiaki Kon | November 29, 2022 |
| 9 | "Bento" Transcription: "Obentō" (Japanese: お弁当) | Chiaki Kon | Tomoharu Suzuki | Chiaki Kon | December 6, 2022 |
| 10 | "Day Off" Transcription: "Yasumi no Hi" (Japanese: 休みの日) | Chiaki Kon | Chiaki Kon | Chiaki Kon | December 13, 2022 |
| 11 | "Everyday" Transcription: "Nichijō" (Japanese: 日常) | Nozomi Fukui | Tomoharu Suzuki | Chiaki Kon | December 20, 2022[lower-alpha 3] |
| 12 | "Progress" Transcription: "Zenshin" (Japanese: 前進) | Nozomi Fukui | Yasuko Aoki | Nozomi Fukui | December 27, 2022[lower-alpha 4] |
| 13 | "Reunion" Transcription: "Saikai" (Japanese: 再会) | Shizutaka Sugahara | Makoto Uezu | Shizutaka Sugahara | January 10, 2023 |
| 14 | "Nice Location" Transcription: "Ii Tokoro" (Japanese: いいところ) | Shizutaka Sugahara | Tomoharu Suzuki | Nozomi Fukui | January 17, 2023 |
| 15 | "Talking About Love" Transcription: "Koibana" (Japanese: 恋バナ) | Kaito Asakura | Yasuko Aoki | Yūta Suzuki | January 24, 2023 |
| 16 | "Umbrella and..." Transcription: "Kasa to..." (Japanese: 傘と…) | Yūta Suzuki | Tomoharu Suzuki | Yūta Suzuki | January 31, 2023 |
| 17 | "Catalyst" Transcription: "Kikkake" (Japanese: きっかけ) | Yūta Suzuki | Makoto Uezu | Yūta Suzuki | February 7, 2023 |
| 18 | "Takayuki and Motoharu" Transcription: "Takayuki to Motoharu" (Japanese: 貴之と元晴) | Kaito Asakura | Chiaki Kon | Shizutaka Sugahara | February 14, 2023 |
| 19 | "New Member" Transcription: "Menbā-iri" (Japanese: メンバー入り) | Nozomi Fukui | Makoto Uezu | Nozomi Fukui | February 21, 2023 |
| 20 | "Things You Don't Like" Transcription: "Nigate na Mono" (Japanese: 苦手なもの) | Nozomi Fukui | Yasuko Aoki | Nozomi Fukui | February 28, 2023 |
| 21 | "Friends" Transcription: "Tomodachi" (Japanese: 友達) | Yūta Suzuki | Tomoharu Suzuki | Yukihiro Matsushita | March 7, 2023 |
| 22 | "Summer Festival" Transcription: "Natsumatsuri" (Japanese: 夏祭り) | Takahiro Enokida | Tomoharu Suzuki | Yukihiro Matsushita | March 14, 2023 |
| 23 | "Summer Sky and Sea" Transcription: "Natsuzora to Umi" (Japanese: 夏空と海) | Takahiro Enokida | Tomoharu Suzuki | Yukihiro Matsushita | March 21, 2023[lower-alpha 2] |
| 24 | "Cool and Awkward Guys" Transcription: "Kūru Doji na Danshi-tachi" (Japanese: クールドジな男子たち) | Chiaki Kon, Nozomi Fukui | Makoto Uezu | Chiaki Kon, Yūta Suzuki, Nozomi Fukui | March 28, 2023 |
Drama
A television drama adaptation was announced on February 24, 2023. It will be directed by Hiroaki Yuasa, Yuka Eda, and Akina Yanagi, based on a screenplay by Hiroyuki Komine. The series premiered on April 15, 2023, on TV Tokyo.[32] Yuta Nakamoto of NCT 127, Takumi Kawanishi of JO1, Dori Sakurada, and Maito Fujioka were cast to play the main roles.[4]
Reception
In 2019, the manga was ranked 16th in Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook for best manga series in 2019 for female readers,[33] placed 7th in Pixiv and Nippon Shuppan Hanbai's Web Manga General Election,[34] and was placed 16th in the Next Manga Awards.[35]
Notes
- TV Tokyo lists the series premiere at 25:30 on October 10, 2022, which is effectively 1:30 a.m. JST on October 11.
- This episode aired at 1:40 a.m. JST, 10 minutes after the original air time on TV Tokyo.
- This episode aired at 2:19 a.m. JST, 49 minutes after the original air time on TV Tokyo.
- This episode aired at 2:00 a.m. JST, 30 minutes after the original air time on TV Tokyo.
References
- Dempsey, Liam (April 22, 2022). "Play It Cool, Guys Comedy Manga Gets TV Anime Adaptation". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- クールでかっこよくて、でもドジ！「クールドジ男子」単行本化、描き下ろし50P超. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 22, 2022). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Manga Gets TV Anime in October". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- Mateo, Alex (March 2, 2023). "'Play it Cool, Guys' Live-Action Series Reveals Main Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 11, 2022). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime Casts Makoto Furukawa, Reveals Ending Song Artists". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 7, 2022). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, Staff, Opening Song, October 10 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 7, 2023). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Live-Action Series Reveals More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- Loo, Egan (December 26, 2022). "Play It Cool, Guys Anime Previews 2nd Half's New Character, Opening Song in Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- Ichibo Harada @HEW (February 22, 2022). "We asked the author of "Cool Doji Danshi" about the secrets of coloring - How to create beautiful works in full color?". Pixivision. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- Nata, Kokone [@natakokone] (May 11, 2018). クールドジ男子シリーズ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved April 22, 2022 – via Twitter.
- 【漫画版】クールドジ男子【♯01】. Pixiv (in Japanese). Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- クールドジ男子. Gangan Pixiv (in Japanese). Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- 【10月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- Hazra, Adriana (September 5, 2020). "Yen Press to Release Date A Live, Do You Like the Nerdy Nurse?, 7 More Manga/Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- 【6月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys, Vol. 1". Yen Press. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- 【3月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 21, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys, Vol. 2". Yen Press. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- 【1月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys, Vol. 3". Yen Press. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- 【11月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys, Vol. 4". Yen Press. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys, Vol. 5". Yen Press. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- 小説 クールドジ男子 Connect It Cool, Guys (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 23, 2022). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime to Air for Half Year With 15-Minute Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- Mateo, Alex (December 12, 2022). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime's Main Cast Unit PICG Perform 2nd Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- Mateo, Alex (October 20, 2022). "Crunchyroll Streams 'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 13, 2023). "'Play It Cool, Guys' Anime Gets 2-Episode Mini-Anime on March 20, 27". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- "Sutōrī｜Terebi Anime "Kūru Doji Danshi"" STORY｜TVアニメ『クールドジ男子』 [Story｜TV Anime "Play It Cool, Guys"]. cooldoji-pr.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- "Play It Cool, Guys - Watch on Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "On'ea｜Terebi Anime "Kūru Doji Danshi"" ONAIR｜TVアニメ『クールドジ男子』 [On Air｜TV Anime "Play It Cool, Guys"]. cooldoji-pr.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- 那多ここね「クールドジ男子」アニメに続きドラマ化！横顔で構成されたティザービジュ. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 12, 2019). "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2020 Rankings". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- Loveridge, Lynzee (October 17, 2019). "Voters Crown My New Boss is Goofy as #1 in Web Manga General Election". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- Loveridge, Lynzee (August 22, 2019). "SPY × FAMILY, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Win Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
External links
- Official anime website (in Japanese)
- Play It Cool, Guys (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
