Absolute Boyfriend | |
![]() Cover of the first volume of the original Japanese release of Absolute Boyfriend | |
絶対彼氏。 (Zettai Kareshi) | |
---|---|
Genre | Romance [1] |
Manga | |
Written by | Yuu Watase |
Published by | Shogakukan |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Shōjo Comic |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | March 25, 2003 – February 25, 2005 |
Volumes | 6 |
Television drama | |
|
Absolute Boyfriend (絶対彼氏。, Zettai Kareshi) is a Japanese manga series by Yuu Watase, first serialized in Shōjo Comic. Chuang Yi licensed it for an English release in Singapore, with the first volume released in March 2005. Viz Media licensed the series for an English release in North America, serializing the series in its Shojo Beat manga anthology as well as releasing the volumes.
The manga series was adapted into an 11-episode live-action drama series that aired in Japan in 2008. [2] A 13-episode Taiwanese adaption aired in 2012, and a 40-episode South Korean adaptation aired in 2019 under the title My Absolute Boyfriend. [3] [4][ better source needed]
Riiko Izawa never had a boyfriend and has been rejected by every boy she ever had a crush on. When Riilp returns a lost cell phone to an strangely-dressed salesman, she mentions wanting a boyfriend. Wanting thank her, he directs her to his company's website, Kronos Heaven. As Riiko visits the site, she finds it is a site to create someone's perfect lover. Thinking it is a game, Riiko customizes and accidentally orders one. The next day, her new lover arrives. Following the instruction manual, she kisses him to wake him up, which configures him to be in love with only her, and names him "Night". Three days later, Riiko is shocked to learn that she only had him for a free trial for 72 hours. The salesman, Gaku Namikiri, tells her that Riiko must now pay ¥100,000,000 for Night. However, they will waive the fee if she helps them to collect data about how women think and feel to help perfect future models.
Riiko must keep Night's true nature a secret from everyone around her. She also soon finds herself in a love triangle between Night and her childhood friend Soshi, who declares his love for her out of fear he will lose her. As the series progresses, Night begins to develop real human emotions, enabling him to truly love Riiko but also resulting in system malfunctions. When Riiko almost loses Night due to the malfunctions, she realizes that he is the one she really loves. She apologizes to Soshi, who moves to Spain with his brother to live with their dad. Night and Riiko spend a few happy weeks together, during which they go on dates, get their picture taken together, and purchase matching rings as symbols of their undying love.
As the series ends, Night begins to grow sleepier. The problems developed by him exceeding his abilities eventually causes his machinery to stop working, resulting in his "death". Before Night died, he wrote a letter directed to Soshi telling him what was happening and asking him to take care of Riiko. Night also sends his ring, which Riiko noticed he has not been wearing immediately prior to his death. In the letter, Night tells Riiko that she does not have to cry for him anymore but always smile, so she laughs and forever treasures her rings and memories of Night.
Written by Yuu Watase, Absolute Boyfriend premiered in Japan in the March 2003 issue of Shōjo Comic. It appeared monthly until the thirty-fifth and final chapter was published in the February 2005 issue. The chapters were published in six collected volumes by Shogakukan with the first volume released on October 25, 2003, and the final volume released on February 25, 2005. [5]
Absolute Boyfriend is licensed for both English and Chinese releases in Singapore by Chuang Yi, which has released all six volumes of the series. [6] [7] Madman Entertainment subsequently imported and republished the English-translated Chuang Yi volumes in Australia from May 17 until October 11, 2006. [8] [9] In North America, the series was licensed for an English translated release by Viz Media. It was one of the first six manga series Viz included in the June 2005 premiere issue of the company's new manga anthology Shojo Beat. [10] It continued to be serialized in Shojo Beat until it reached its conclusion in the March 2008 issue. [11]
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 25, 2003 | 4091384617 | March 2005 (Singapore) May 17, 2006 (Australia) [12] February 7, 2006 (North America) [13] |
981-260-381-6 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-28-6 (Australia) 1-4215-0016-7 (North America) | |
| |||||
2 | January 26, 2004 | 4091384625 | June 21, 2006 (Australia)
[14] August 1, 2006 (North America) [15] |
981-260-411-1 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-29-3 (Australia) 1-4215-0568-1 (North America) | |
| |||||
3 | April 26, 2004 | 4091384633 | July 26, 2006 (Australia)
[16] February 6, 2007 (North America) [17] |
981-260-454-5 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-67-5 (Australia) 978-1-4215-1003-3 (North America) | |
| |||||
4 | June 26, 2004 | 4091384641 | August 16, 2006 (Australia)
[18] August 7, 2007 (North America) [19] |
981-260-454-5 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-68-2 (Australia) 1-4215-1004-9 (North America) | |
| |||||
5 | October 26, 2004 | 409138465X | September 6, 2006 (Australia)
[20] February 5, 2008 (North America) [21] |
981-260-551-7 (Singapore) 978-981-269-090-6 (Australia) 1-4215-1535-0 (North America) | |
| |||||
6 | February 25, 2005 | 4091384668 | October 11, 2006 (Australia)
[22] May 6, 2008 (North America) [23] |
981-260-654-8 (Singapore) 978-981-269-091-3 (Australia) 1-4215-1562-8 (North America) | |
|
A drama CD based on this manga was released under the title Zettai Kareshi - Figure Darling in Japan by Marine Entertainment on August 25, 2004. [24]
A live-action adaptation of the manga began airing on Fuji TV on April 15, 2008, and ran for eleven episodes until its conclusion on June 24, 2008. In the live-action version, Riiko Izawa is an office lady in search of a boyfriend, and she ends up in possession of a "robot" known as Night Tenjo, who is programmed to be the perfect boyfriend. However, this creates a love triangle with a distinguished young man at her company who also has feelings for her. Riiko is played by Saki Aibu, Night is played by Mokomichi Hayami, and Soshi Asamoto is played by Hiro Mizushima. [25]
On October 5, 2010, a Taiwanese live-action adaptation of Absolute Boyfriend (絕對達令 Jue Dui Da Ling) was filmed, starring Taiwanese singer-actor Wu Chun as Night and South Korean actress Ku Hye-sun as Riiko. [26] On May 3, 2011, Jiro Wang replaced fellow Fahrenheit band member Wu Chun as the male lead of the drama series, now titled Absolute Darling. The series premiered on April 1, 2012, on FTV. [27]
On October 18, 2011, there were unconfirmed reports of a Korean adaptation titled Absolutely Him ( Korean: 절대 그이; RR: Jeoldae Geuyi) starring actress Kim Ha-neul as the female lead opposite singer-actor T.O.P. However, there are no follow-up news on the production. [28] [29] On February 23, 2018, according to the online platform Naver and media news site Newsen, Korean cable network OCN is in talks to adapt the manga with "Romantic Comedy King" as its working title. [30] [31] On March 15, Song Ji-hyo and Chun Jung-myung were cast as leads. [32] On April 10, Song Ji-hyo rejected the role while Yeo Jin-goo was in talks and taking consideration. [33] On May 30, reports confirmed Yeo Jin-goo and Girl's Day member Bang Min-ah as leads while Hong Jong-hyun was still in talks. [34] [35] Their first script reading was held on June 22, 2018, and filming began in July. The series was written by Yang Hyuk-moon ( Secret Healer) and directed by Jung Jung-hwa. [36] The drama finished filming in December 2018 and is airing on SBS from May 2019. [37]
Absolute Boyfriend | |
![]() Cover of the first volume of the original Japanese release of Absolute Boyfriend | |
絶対彼氏。 (Zettai Kareshi) | |
---|---|
Genre | Romance [1] |
Manga | |
Written by | Yuu Watase |
Published by | Shogakukan |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Shōjo Comic |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | March 25, 2003 – February 25, 2005 |
Volumes | 6 |
Television drama | |
|
Absolute Boyfriend (絶対彼氏。, Zettai Kareshi) is a Japanese manga series by Yuu Watase, first serialized in Shōjo Comic. Chuang Yi licensed it for an English release in Singapore, with the first volume released in March 2005. Viz Media licensed the series for an English release in North America, serializing the series in its Shojo Beat manga anthology as well as releasing the volumes.
The manga series was adapted into an 11-episode live-action drama series that aired in Japan in 2008. [2] A 13-episode Taiwanese adaption aired in 2012, and a 40-episode South Korean adaptation aired in 2019 under the title My Absolute Boyfriend. [3] [4][ better source needed]
Riiko Izawa never had a boyfriend and has been rejected by every boy she ever had a crush on. When Riilp returns a lost cell phone to an strangely-dressed salesman, she mentions wanting a boyfriend. Wanting thank her, he directs her to his company's website, Kronos Heaven. As Riiko visits the site, she finds it is a site to create someone's perfect lover. Thinking it is a game, Riiko customizes and accidentally orders one. The next day, her new lover arrives. Following the instruction manual, she kisses him to wake him up, which configures him to be in love with only her, and names him "Night". Three days later, Riiko is shocked to learn that she only had him for a free trial for 72 hours. The salesman, Gaku Namikiri, tells her that Riiko must now pay ¥100,000,000 for Night. However, they will waive the fee if she helps them to collect data about how women think and feel to help perfect future models.
Riiko must keep Night's true nature a secret from everyone around her. She also soon finds herself in a love triangle between Night and her childhood friend Soshi, who declares his love for her out of fear he will lose her. As the series progresses, Night begins to develop real human emotions, enabling him to truly love Riiko but also resulting in system malfunctions. When Riiko almost loses Night due to the malfunctions, she realizes that he is the one she really loves. She apologizes to Soshi, who moves to Spain with his brother to live with their dad. Night and Riiko spend a few happy weeks together, during which they go on dates, get their picture taken together, and purchase matching rings as symbols of their undying love.
As the series ends, Night begins to grow sleepier. The problems developed by him exceeding his abilities eventually causes his machinery to stop working, resulting in his "death". Before Night died, he wrote a letter directed to Soshi telling him what was happening and asking him to take care of Riiko. Night also sends his ring, which Riiko noticed he has not been wearing immediately prior to his death. In the letter, Night tells Riiko that she does not have to cry for him anymore but always smile, so she laughs and forever treasures her rings and memories of Night.
Written by Yuu Watase, Absolute Boyfriend premiered in Japan in the March 2003 issue of Shōjo Comic. It appeared monthly until the thirty-fifth and final chapter was published in the February 2005 issue. The chapters were published in six collected volumes by Shogakukan with the first volume released on October 25, 2003, and the final volume released on February 25, 2005. [5]
Absolute Boyfriend is licensed for both English and Chinese releases in Singapore by Chuang Yi, which has released all six volumes of the series. [6] [7] Madman Entertainment subsequently imported and republished the English-translated Chuang Yi volumes in Australia from May 17 until October 11, 2006. [8] [9] In North America, the series was licensed for an English translated release by Viz Media. It was one of the first six manga series Viz included in the June 2005 premiere issue of the company's new manga anthology Shojo Beat. [10] It continued to be serialized in Shojo Beat until it reached its conclusion in the March 2008 issue. [11]
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 25, 2003 | 4091384617 | March 2005 (Singapore) May 17, 2006 (Australia) [12] February 7, 2006 (North America) [13] |
981-260-381-6 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-28-6 (Australia) 1-4215-0016-7 (North America) | |
| |||||
2 | January 26, 2004 | 4091384625 | June 21, 2006 (Australia)
[14] August 1, 2006 (North America) [15] |
981-260-411-1 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-29-3 (Australia) 1-4215-0568-1 (North America) | |
| |||||
3 | April 26, 2004 | 4091384633 | July 26, 2006 (Australia)
[16] February 6, 2007 (North America) [17] |
981-260-454-5 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-67-5 (Australia) 978-1-4215-1003-3 (North America) | |
| |||||
4 | June 26, 2004 | 4091384641 | August 16, 2006 (Australia)
[18] August 7, 2007 (North America) [19] |
981-260-454-5 (Singapore) 978-981-4204-68-2 (Australia) 1-4215-1004-9 (North America) | |
| |||||
5 | October 26, 2004 | 409138465X | September 6, 2006 (Australia)
[20] February 5, 2008 (North America) [21] |
981-260-551-7 (Singapore) 978-981-269-090-6 (Australia) 1-4215-1535-0 (North America) | |
| |||||
6 | February 25, 2005 | 4091384668 | October 11, 2006 (Australia)
[22] May 6, 2008 (North America) [23] |
981-260-654-8 (Singapore) 978-981-269-091-3 (Australia) 1-4215-1562-8 (North America) | |
|
A drama CD based on this manga was released under the title Zettai Kareshi - Figure Darling in Japan by Marine Entertainment on August 25, 2004. [24]
A live-action adaptation of the manga began airing on Fuji TV on April 15, 2008, and ran for eleven episodes until its conclusion on June 24, 2008. In the live-action version, Riiko Izawa is an office lady in search of a boyfriend, and she ends up in possession of a "robot" known as Night Tenjo, who is programmed to be the perfect boyfriend. However, this creates a love triangle with a distinguished young man at her company who also has feelings for her. Riiko is played by Saki Aibu, Night is played by Mokomichi Hayami, and Soshi Asamoto is played by Hiro Mizushima. [25]
On October 5, 2010, a Taiwanese live-action adaptation of Absolute Boyfriend (絕對達令 Jue Dui Da Ling) was filmed, starring Taiwanese singer-actor Wu Chun as Night and South Korean actress Ku Hye-sun as Riiko. [26] On May 3, 2011, Jiro Wang replaced fellow Fahrenheit band member Wu Chun as the male lead of the drama series, now titled Absolute Darling. The series premiered on April 1, 2012, on FTV. [27]
On October 18, 2011, there were unconfirmed reports of a Korean adaptation titled Absolutely Him ( Korean: 절대 그이; RR: Jeoldae Geuyi) starring actress Kim Ha-neul as the female lead opposite singer-actor T.O.P. However, there are no follow-up news on the production. [28] [29] On February 23, 2018, according to the online platform Naver and media news site Newsen, Korean cable network OCN is in talks to adapt the manga with "Romantic Comedy King" as its working title. [30] [31] On March 15, Song Ji-hyo and Chun Jung-myung were cast as leads. [32] On April 10, Song Ji-hyo rejected the role while Yeo Jin-goo was in talks and taking consideration. [33] On May 30, reports confirmed Yeo Jin-goo and Girl's Day member Bang Min-ah as leads while Hong Jong-hyun was still in talks. [34] [35] Their first script reading was held on June 22, 2018, and filming began in July. The series was written by Yang Hyuk-moon ( Secret Healer) and directed by Jung Jung-hwa. [36] The drama finished filming in December 2018 and is airing on SBS from May 2019. [37]