Draw This, Then Die! has released a brand-new trailer ahead of its July premiere, giving viewers another look at the emotional coming-of-age story about manga creation, friendship and the difficult joy of making art.
The new trailer also reveals and previews the anime’s ending theme song, “Conifer”, performed by Regal Lily. The song was written specifically for the anime, making it an important part of the adaptation’s atmosphere rather than just a standard tie-in track.
Second Trailer Highlights the Ending Theme
The latest trailer for Draw This, Then Die! puts more focus on the emotional tone of the series while previewing the ending theme “Conifer” by Regal Lily. The song’s softer and reflective feeling fits the story’s focus on creativity, uncertainty and the personal weight behind making manga.
Unlike action-heavy anime where the music is used to sell intensity, Draw This, Then Die! seems to be leaning into something more intimate. The trailer reinforces the idea that this is a story about young people discovering the world of creation, not only as a dream, but also as something that can be painful, frustrating and deeply rewarding.
The Anime Premieres on July 3
Draw This, Then Die! is scheduled to premiere in Japan on July 3, 2026. The anime will air on Nippon TV’s Friday Anime Night programming block and its affiliated stations.
The series is based on the manga Kore Kaite Shine, written and illustrated by Minoru Toyoda. The original work has earned strong recognition in Japan, including the 16th Manga Taisho Award in 2023 and the 70th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2025.
What Is Draw This, Then Die! About?
Draw This, Then Die! follows Ai Yasumi, a first-year high school student living on Izu Oshima, an island south of Tokyo. Ai loves reading manga, but her relationship with the medium changes when she begins to understand what it means to actually create manga herself.
The story explores the joy, pain and vulnerability of making art. For Ai, manga is not just something to consume anymore. It becomes a way to express herself, connect with others and face the difficult question of what it means to create something with her own hands.
That premise gives the anime a quieter but very personal kind of drama. Instead of focusing on battles, fantasy worlds or supernatural powers, Draw This, Then Die! looks at the emotional journey of a young girl learning that creativity is beautiful, but also demanding.
Main Voice Cast
The anime has confirmed a strong voice cast for its central characters, including Akira Sekine in the lead role as Ai Yasumi. The cast brings together several notable names who will help bring the manga club and its emotional dynamics to life.
- Akira Sekine as Ai Yasumi
- Saori Hayami as Rei Teshima
- Saya Hitomi as Kokoro Fujimori
- Kanon Fujimura as Sachi Akafuku
- Inori Minase as Hikaru Sekiryu
The cast is especially important for a series like this because much of the story depends on subtle emotion. Ai’s discovery of manga creation is not only about technique or ambition. It is also about insecurity, excitement, comparison and the complicated feeling of wanting to make something meaningful.
Opening and Ending Theme Songs
The anime’s opening theme is “Isho”, performed by Tatsuya Kitani. The ending theme is “Conifer”, performed by Regal Lily.
- Opening theme: “Isho” by Tatsuya Kitani
- Ending theme: “Conifer” by Regal Lily
The combination of Tatsuya Kitani and Regal Lily gives the anime a strong musical identity before it even premieres. Since Draw This, Then Die! is built around the inner world of creation, the theme songs may play a major role in shaping how viewers emotionally connect with Ai’s journey.
Staff Behind the Anime
The anime adaptation is being produced by Shin-Ei Animation. Hiroaki Akagi is directing the series, with Hiroko Fukuda handling series composition. Scripts are being written by Hiroko Fukuda, Aki Itami and Kanichi Kato. Character designs are by Takekazu Segawa, while the music is composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi.
- Original creator: Minoru Toyoda
- Director: Hiroaki Akagi
- Series composition: Hiroko Fukuda
- Scripts: Hiroko Fukuda, Aki Itami and Kanichi Kato
- Character design: Takekazu Segawa
- Music: Hiroaki Tsutsumi
- Animation production: Shin-Ei Animation
The staff gives the adaptation a promising foundation, especially because Draw This, Then Die! needs careful direction to capture the emotional details of its characters. This is not a story that depends on spectacle alone. It needs timing, atmosphere and a strong sense of how creativity feels from the inside.
A Story About the Pain and Joy of Creating Manga
One of the reasons Draw This, Then Die! stands out is that it treats manga creation as something both inspiring and difficult. Ai’s journey is not simply about deciding to draw and instantly finding success. The story looks at the emotional process behind creation, including doubt, effort and the fear of not being good enough.
That makes the series relatable even for viewers who have never drawn manga themselves. Anyone who has tried to create something personal can understand the anxiety of sharing work, the frustration of improving slowly and the excitement of finding people who understand the same passion.
In that sense, the anime has the potential to become more than a story about manga. It can also speak to anyone who has ever wanted to make art, write a story, draw a page or create something that feels honest.
Why This Anime Could Stand Out
The July 2026 anime season includes many fantasy, action and romance titles, but Draw This, Then Die! has a very different kind of appeal. It is quieter, more grounded and centered on the emotional experience of young creators.
Stories about making manga have a special place in anime and manga culture because they allow the medium to look at itself. They show not only finished works, but also the messy, vulnerable and often exhausting path that leads to creation. Draw This, Then Die! seems ready to explore that space with sincerity.
The island setting of Izu Oshima also gives the story a distinct atmosphere. Rather than taking place in a typical urban school environment, the setting can emphasize Ai’s personal world and the feeling of discovering creativity from a place that feels slightly removed from the center of the manga industry.
Final Thoughts
The second trailer for Draw This, Then Die! gives the anime a stronger emotional identity ahead of its July 3, 2026 premiere. With Regal Lily performing the ending theme “Conifer” and Tatsuya Kitani handling the opening theme, the adaptation already has music that fits its reflective coming-of-age tone.
For viewers who enjoy stories about art, friendship, self-discovery and the difficult process of creating something meaningful, Draw This, Then Die! may become one of the most heartfelt anime of the season. Ai Yasumi’s journey begins with a love for manga, but the real story is about what happens when that love turns into the desire to create.
