Shiroyagi Shugo’s smash hit comic “My Daughter Was Bullying Me,” which has sold over 100 million yen, is being adapted into a live-action original short drama for the first time by “BUMP”!
emole Co., Ltd. Press release: September 4, 2025 To Members of the Press Shiroyagi Shugo’s smash hit comic “My Daughter Was Bullying Me,” which has sold over 100 million yen, has been adapted into a live-action short drama for the first time as a “BUMP” original! An ambitious semi-fictional work depicting modern families and the issue of bullying from the perspectives of both the perpetrator’s and the victim’s families, exclusively available on “BUMP” emole Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naomichi Sawamura), operator of the short drama app “BUMP,” has begun streaming an original “BUMP” short drama, a live-action adaptation of the popular comic “My Daughter Was Bullying Me” (KADOKAWA) by Shiroyagi Shugo, exclusively on “BUMP” from 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Digital sales of the original comic exceeded 100 million yen, and it became a hot topic on social media, with many people expressing their feelings, such as “It’s heartbreaking” and “This is not just someone else’s problem.”
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contradictions of a mother who, despite being a victim, eventually becomes a perpetrator, posing powerful questions to the viewer. Takafumi Imai, who has recently expanded his career beyond acting to include producing, screenwriting, and directing, plays Kanako’s husband, Yusuke Akagi. Initially, he dismisses the problem as a misunderstanding between the children and is unable to fully empathize with his wife’s suffering, making him an ordinary father like any other. In a stark departure from his comical role in the “BUMP” original short drama “Gotanda Hop Gakuen,” he earnestly portrays the helplessness and confusion felt in the face of family tragedy, adding depth to the story. The victim who triggers this tragedy, Baba Koharu, is played by the young and talented actress Tanaka Noa, who has appeared in many television dramas. Despite her challenging role with few lines, she delicately conveys the depth of emotional pain and despair, tugging at the viewer’s heartstrings. A breathtaking clash of emotions woven together by a talented cast. All of this will leave you pondering the profound question, “What if it were me?”, piercing your heart. ■”BUMP” Original Short Drama “My Daughter Was Bullying” Synopsis “What would you do if your child was a bully?” Kanako, a mother living a happy life, suddenly receives a phone call. The unbelievable news is that her daughter, Mana, is bullying others. The mother and daughter visit to apologize, but the victim, Koharu, continues to skip school. Soon, the name of the “perpetrator, Akagi Ai” is exposed and spread across social media. “It’s only my child,” she thought she believed… Kanako, who was bullied in the past, is devastated by the reality that she is the parent of the bully. The truth revealed at the parent-teacher meeting is beyond her
imagination. “As a mother, I should always be on my daughter’s side…?” Facing a reality with no solution in sight, what choice did the family make? ■Work summary Title of work ‘My daughter was being bullied’ Streaming start date and time Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 7:00 PM (30 episodes) Distribution Location Short Drama App “BUMP” ▶Product Details Page: https://emolebump.go.link/25Ua7 Appearance Asuka Hamaru (Kanako Akagi), Sakiko Takezawa (Ai Akagi), Honoka Murakami (Chiharu Baba), Takafumi Imai (Yusuke Akagi), Noa Tanaka (Koharu Baba) and others Production staff Director: Katsurika Screenplay: Yura Yamashina Executive Producer: Naomichi Sawamura (emole) Content Planner: Risa Sawamura (emole) Producers: Hibiki Shimabukuro (emole), Natsukimi Miura (MMJ), Kazuki Kawasaki (MMJ), Kohei Ogane (MMJ), Nagaharu Kane Production Company: MMJ Produced by: emole ■Original Information “My daughter was being bullied” Author: Shiroyagi Shugo Release Date: March 30, 2023 Price: Paperback: ¥1,350 tax E-book: Suggested retail price ¥1,200 tax Publisher: KADOKAWA Co., Ltd. ISBN: 978-4-04-682118-8
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-2caaea73eb2f3db66b6c86b1427e341b-1753×2475.jpg ■Comments from author Akigo Shiroyagi The work was adapted into a stage play in May, and I’m very pleased that it has now been made into a short drama. It deals with the heavy theme of bullying, but I hope that many people will watch it, especially now that everyone has a smartphone and it’s so easy to hurt others. Thank you very much to everyone involved in the production of this drama. ■Cast Profiles and Comments Asuka Hamaru (as Kanako Akagi)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-ac8ade6d801ca2de2eebfa7e259c2aa4-864×1014.jpg She is a member of the theater troupe “Kakikuu-kyaku.” She made her film debut in the lead role in “Goodbye Midori,” directed by Yamanishi Tatsuya, which won the grand prize at the 6th Quarter Star Contest. Since then, she has appeared in a succession of popular films, including “Theater” and “Any Crybabies?”, and the drama “Kasumi Arimura’s Shooting Break.” She is also a regular in director Kasumi Katsura’s films, and is highly trusted by up-and-coming directors. She has worked in a wide range of genres, from stage to film, including Takashi Miike’s “The Great Yokai War Guardians” and the stage production “Flash Story,” in which she co-starred with Shota Yasuda and Haru Kuroki. ＜Comment＞ As the title suggests, “My Daughter Was Bullying” is a unique work that is told from the perspective of the parents of the bully. The main character, Kanako, is troubled and confused by her daughter’s behavior, but she struggles to do something about it. Seeing this will surely stir emotions, making you wonder, “What would you do if your own child were being bullied?” Director Katsurika and the wonderful staff have created a thrilling film. I hope it reaches many people, both those who are familiar with the original work and those who are reading it for the first time. Sakiko Takezawa (Akagi Ai)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-68f40a0589318f04afbfe7f76ced438e-1850×2700.jpg Born in 2014. Originally from Tokyo. Began her entertainment career at the age of 5, joining Joby Kids. He has appeared in the TV dramas “The Galaxy Next Door” (NHK), “Kotaro Returns! Kotaro Lives Alone” (EX), “To You Who Shines” (NHK), “Wings on a Tiger” (NHK), and “Kokoro Ninjutsu Popomaru!” (NHK Educational TV) for the first time. He is also active in a variety of fields, including movies, commercials, and TV. ＜Comment＞ This was my first role. I thought a lot about how to express feelings of love, as well as the feelings of the mother and friends, as I approached the role. During filming, Director Kudzu, Hamamaru-san, my co-stars and the staff were all very kind and the atmosphere on set was very warm. What I felt again through this film is that you should never do to others what you would not like done to you. I hope you will pay attention to the conversations between Ai and her mother and the changes in their feelings. Honoka Murakami (as Chiharu Baba)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-38f286d11418ad6f30805222a900f075-1718×2700.jpg Born in Ehime Prefecture in 1995. Films: “Mitorishi” (Director: Yato Shiraha, 2019), “Someone’s Flower” (Director: Yusuke Okuda, 2021) Drama: NTV “Voice II 110 Emergency Control Room,” TV Tokyo “The Chef is a Great Detective,” NHK Night Drama “The Reason She Can’t Rest in Peace” Stage plays: “Me, Rather Than That Girl” (written and directed by Ayuka Kishimoto, 2022), “Consultants” (written and directed by Kenji Yamauchi, 2017), and Shiroyamayachi no Kai’s “Apology of the Withered Flower” (written and directed by Kenji Yamauchi, 2023). Recently, she has appeared in JA Bank’s “Connecting with the Community” commercial and Saishunkan Pharmaceutical’s latest commercial. The film “Michikusa Kitchen” is scheduled for release in 2025. ＜Comment＞ Bullying is a very heavy topic, a reality that many people want to turn a blind eye to. While playing the role of a mother whose child is being bullied, I was reminded of the strength and importance of believing in your child and walking alongside them no matter what difficulties they face. I wondered what kind of conflicts and worries there are as you watch your child grow up. It was a time to think deeply about the “mother” I have yet to become. I hope you can get a sense of what each family is like. Takafumi Imai (as Yusuke Akagi)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-35e913c18aa9bf9c1b526789ac269335-1017×1500.jpg Born July 27, 1985, in Tokyo. From 2007 to 2019, he served as the leader of the Prestige Theater Company, acting, writing, and directing. Since then, he has appeared in the plays “When Was It” and “The Dodo Falls,” the film “Analog,” and the worldwide hit Netflix series “House of Ninjas,” for which he wrote and starred. This year, he has appeared in the dramas “Gold Sunset” (WOWOW), “My Story is Long ~2025 Spring~” (NTV), and “Happy Marriage” (EX), as well as in TV commercials for “Mercari Haro” and “AC Japan.” ＜Comment＞ I understand what’s happening to me because it’s happening to me, but I honestly don’t know what’s happening to my family. Even if you hear the story, only the person involved can know whether it’s true or not. I have a child who started first grade this year, so I often worry about bullying, which is very timely. I’ve been thinking about how even the smallest things can lead to bullying in school life, and how a child can become either the perpetrator or the victim. So, as a parent, this work was unsettling, and it really hit home. I think it depicts the desire to believe in one’s child, but the indecision of not being able to fully trust it. Noa Tanaka (as Koharu Baba)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-88416a76cdc9b0dd0da02035782abc12-800×1067.jpg Born in 2013. Born in Tokyo. Began her entertainment career at the age of 0. Major appearances include the TV dramas “Natsuzora” and “Yell” (NHK), His major appearances include the historical dramas “Kirin ga Kuru” and “The 13 Lords of the Kamakura” (NHK), “Blue Moment” (CX), “PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit” (CX), and “Kaasan no Mitazono” (EX). ＜Comment＞ Koharu, the character I played, has a quiet and reserved personality. It’s a story about events involving Koharu’s beloved childhood friend Ai-chan and her classmates, and when I received and read the script, it gave me a lot to think about. The scene that left the biggest impression on me was when Koharu tells her mother her true feelings and thoughts. In this scene, I played Koharu, imagining myself as Koharu, while thinking about how I would express my feelings if I were really Koharu. What happened among the close classmates? How were they feeling? How was the bullied child feeling? And how will it end? I hope you will watch the film while paying attention and thinking about not only Koharu’s feelings, but everyone’s! ■Comments from the Production Team Director: Kuzu Rika ＜Comment＞ My name is Kuzu, and I directed “My Daughter Was Bullying Me.” This was a first-time challenge for me, and I carefully considered themes of “bullying” and the role of a mother while directing, hoping to convey the merits of the original work, which has been well-received by so many people, in a way that only a film can. Once again, I was blessed with wonderful actors and staff, and Hamamaru-san fully expressed Kanako’s fluctuating emotions, making this a very rich production. I would be most happy if this film inspires viewers to think about something in their own lives. Screenplay: Yuro Yamashina ＜Comments＞ Stories that unilaterally condemn bad people are popular these days because they’re
“refreshing.” But in reality, it’s rare for either party to be completely at fault. Everyone makes mistakes, and of course, you’re no exception. When you’re on the wrong side, what do you see and think? “My Daughter Was Bullying Others” is a story that depicts such universal, painful imaginations. It was a very rewarding job to think about how to turn Shiroyagi Shugo’s manga into an interesting short drama. It’s difficult to forgive the unforgivable, but it won’t end unless someone puts an end to it. The cycle of hatred is one of the themes of this story, and I think it’s a familiar story that is relevant to our times. Thanks to director Kuzu-san and the entire cast and staff, we’ve created a wonderful production. It may not be very satisfying, but I hope you enjoy it. Content Planner: Risa Sawamura (emole) ＜Comment＞ When I read Shiroyagi Shugo’s original work, “My Daughter Was Bullying,” I was deeply struck by the way it portrayed bullying from the perspective of the parents of the child who was bullying. Bullying tends to seem like a problem between children, but it reminded me that behind it there are also conflicts between parents and other adults. Love as a parent and emotions as a human being. I wanted to convey to many people the oscillation between them, so I took on the challenge of making it into a live-action film. When I watched the finished video, I naturally found myself empathizing with the feelings of each character, and there were many moments when my heart tightened. Bullying is no one’s problem. I would be happy if this drama provided an opportunity for people to think seriously about the issue of bullying. Producer: Hibiki Shimabukuro (emole) The beginning of this project dates back to June of last year. When I read the original story, it coincided with my school days, and I remember finishing it all at once, feeling the pain and wondering what would become of this family. From there, we carefully worked together with everyone we had a good relationship with, and finally we were able to reach the release date. Conflicts that arise between the families, parents, and children that appear in the story cannot be dismissed as good or bad. Still facing each other. The script, direction, and play all worked together, and I couldn’t hold back my tears. As the second semester begins, there are people somewhere today who are worried and suffering from the reality of “bullying.” And even now, “seeds of bullying” may be born somewhere. I hope that this story will ask questions and leave something that will remain in the hearts of those who have watched it up to the final episode. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone at KADOKAWA, including Shugo Shiroyagi, who entrusted me with the live-action adaptation of this short drama. Producer: Miura Natsumi (MMJ/Net Distribution/PR Department) I have done several YouTube and TikTok dramas so far, but I thought it was very
challenging to depict the sensitive content of “elementary school bullying” in a short drama with short cuts and overall length. When I was making this book, I was torn between wanting to portray the emotions carefully and not wanting to slow down the tempo. This time, the staff who have worked on many movies and commercials, as well as the actors who are also active on stage, carefully created each and every cut, resulting in a work that is as satisfying and profound as a single movie. When we finished watching the final episode in the editing studio, we all felt our hearts tighten at the vividness of the story and the positions of each of the characters, and I think we all found it difficult to say anything. This may be a bit of a painful story for parents with children, but I hope people of all ages can watch it and get something out of it. ■About BUMP
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-7b912829176c1a18fc5faff17661e121-1080×600.jpg “BUMP” is a new short drama app operated by emole that has been downloaded more than 2.4 million times*, with each episode lasting 1 to 3 minutes. Users can enjoy the drama “for free if you wait” like a manga app, and can enjoy the drama even if they pay 97 yen (tax included) per episode or watch advertisements. We deliver works in a variety of genres, from romantic comedies to revenge, mysteries, pure youthful love, and action. The cutout video for promotional
announcements sent from the official “BUMP” account has been viewed more than 3 billion times*, delivering exciting short drama content to a wide range of users, mainly Generation Z women. *As of August 2025 App download URL: https://emolebump.go.link/k3mPC ●YouTube:
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https://www.instagram.com/bump_drama/ ●X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/bump_drama ●Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bump.drama ■About emole
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/39336/90/39336-90-f6cd3a0e5af19fe17dea26d85f2824eb-1920×960.jpg Company name: emole Inc. Location: 2-23-7 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Nikei Building 1st floor Established: November 15th, 2018 Representative: Sawamura Naomichi, CEO and CEO Company website: https://emole.co.jp/home
