[Latest] Is "A Little Esper" based on a manga or novel? The truth behind Akiko Nogi's script and a detailed plot summary

Is the TV drama "A Little Bit of Esper" based on a manga? A novel? Or is it completely original? In this article, we'll thoroughly explain the production background of screenwriter Nogi Akiko, the co-starring of stars Oizumi Yo and Miyazaki Aoi, the plot, analysis, and even a Q&A that answers viewers' questions!

table of contents

1. What is "A Little Esper"? Broadcast information and cast list

2. Is it based on a manga or novel, or is it completely original?

3. Screenwriter Akiko Nogi's masterpieces and creative intentions

4. Synopsis: The meaning behind "just a little"

5. List of main cast and staff

6. Discussion: The true identity of the four seasons and the mystery of the world where "love is forbidden"

7. Q&A: 5 points to answer your audience's questions

8. Summary: Why are "original sci-fi dramas" attracting attention now?

1. What is "A Little Esper"? Broadcast information and cast list

The TV drama "A Little Bit of Esper" will begin airing on TV Asahi's "Tuesday 9pm slot" on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. It stars Yo Oizumi, with Aoi Miyazaki playing his wife. Directed by Yoshiaki Murao and Daisuke Yamauchi, and produced by Sayari Kijima, Ryosuke Yamagata, and Koji Wada, it is a sci-fi romance drama planned as a completely original TV Asahi production. The story revolves around a man who has the mysterious power of "a little bit of esper," who is burdened by the taboo rule that "you must not love people," but who takes on the mission to save the world. The sci-fi elements are combined with social messages and psychological portrayals, and the drama has been garnering attention even before it airs.

2. Is it based on a manga or novel, or is it completely original?

Many viewers look into the original source material for this drama, but the bottom line is that "A Little Bit of Esper" is not based on any manga, novel, or other source material. The script is a completely original work by Akiko Nogi, who has also worked on "Unnatural," "MIU404," and "It's Embarrassing to Run Away, but It's Useful." While many popular dramas in recent years have relied on original sources, this is a challenging attempt to create a story from scratch. There is also a children's book with the same name, "A Little Bit of Esper" (written by Masako Mochizuki and published by Iwasaki Shoten), but the theme and characters are completely different and it has no connection to the drama whatsoever.

3. Screenwriter Akiko Nogi's masterpieces and creative intentions

Akiko Nogi is highly regarded as a screenwriter who sensitively portrays human emotions and social issues. Previously, she portrayed human dignity facing death in "Unnatural" and the contradiction between justice and ethics in "MIU404." With this work, Nogi takes on a human drama set in a world where love is forbidden. She has long wanted to try her hand at the science fiction genre, and "A Little Bit of Esper" is a project that fulfills that wish. The creators commented that the work "rewraps the loneliness and anxiety of modern society in the universal theme of love," and is characterized by philosophical elements that explore the boundary between reality and fantasy.

4. Synopsis: The meaning behind "just a little"

The protagonist, Bunta (Yo Oizumi), is a man who has been fired from his job, divorced, and hit rock bottom. The story begins when he is hired by the mysterious company "Nonamare" and forced to swallow two red and blue capsules during his final interview. At that moment, Bunta awakens as a "slight esper," gaining the ability to read people's minds by touching them. However, he is also bound by rules: "You must not love people" and "Your true identity must not be revealed." He is forced to live in company housing with a woman he calls his "wife," Shiki (Aoi Miyazaki). She believes Bunta to be her real husband, and their relationship gradually blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The keyword "slightly" that permeates the story intertwines human hope, constraints, and emotional limits, posing questions to viewers about "what it means to live" and "what it means to love."

5. List of main cast and staff

The film stars Yo Oizumi and features a star-studded cast including Aoi Miyazaki, Masaki Okada, Shohei Uno, Atsuko Takahata, and Dean Fujioka. It is directed by Yoshiaki Murao and Daisuke Yamauchi, and written by Akiko Nogi. It is produced and written by TV Asahi, with producers including Sayari Kijima, Ryosuke Yamagata, and Koji Wada. The drama is carefully crafted to portray the contradictions and hopes of people living in modern society.

6. Discussion: The true identity of the four seasons and the mystery of the world where "love is forbidden"

The appeal of this work lies in the "room for speculation" that allows viewers to interpret it freely. The company name, "NON AMARE," means "do not love" in Italian and symbolizes the entire worldview. The story's greatest mystery is that Bunta's powers are realized in exchange for love, and why Shiki believes he is her real husband. It has also been suggested that Bunta's memories may have been tampered with, or that Shiki may be a resident of a virtual world. Furthermore, the VR depiction at the beginning of the story has raised the "metaverse theory," with some even suggesting that Bunta is a person who no longer exists in the real world. The "reversed structure of reality and unreality," unique to Akiko Nogi's works, is prominently displayed in this work as well.

7. Q&A: 5 points to answer your audience's questions

Q1. Is there an original story for "A Little Bit of Esper"?
No. This drama is a completely original script written by Akiko Nogi. It is not based on a manga or novel, but was written specifically for television from the beginning.

Q2. Is it related to the children's book of the same name, "A Little Bit of Esper"?
It has no relation to Masako Mochizuki's fairy tale. Although the title is the same, the story, worldview, and characters are completely different.

Q3. What genre of drama is it?
It is a "human fantasy" that combines science fiction and romance. It also contains many social satires and philosophical elements, making it different from a simple romance drama.

Q4. What is the meaning of the rule "Don't love"?
It is a metaphorical setting in which love can cause one's abilities to disappear and upset the balance of the world. It symbolizes the fragility and strength of human emotions.

Q5. What are your future plans?
The sci-fi elements, such as the metaverse and memory manipulation, will be further developed, and the final episode is expected to reveal the relationship between Bunta and Shiki, as well as the truth about the world.

8. Summary: Why are "original sci-fi dramas" attracting attention now?

"A Little Bit of Esper" is a completely original drama with no original source material, fully displaying the creativity of screenwriter Akiko Nogi. Is it a sin to still care for someone in a world where love is forbidden? This question revolves around this story, blending sci-fi gimmicks with human drama. The co-starring of talented actors Yo Oizumi and Aoi Miyazaki realistically portrays emotions torn between reality and fiction, making this one of the most talked-about dramas of the fall of 2025. The series begins airing on Tuesday, October 21st at 9pm. Be sure to tune in to this "slightly" mysterious and deeply moving world.

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