Trillion Game

Trillion Game marks Inagaki’s first foray into a seinen magazine, motivated by a desire to craft a contemporary story that glorifies extreme wealth acquisition.

Inagaki and Ikegami previously collaborated on a one-shot before partnering for this series.

The story is rooted in a scenario Inagaki envisioned during his middle school years, initially submitted for a manga award but only finalized decades later with a modern twist.

Ikegami handles the artwork, while Inagaki writes the storyboards and dialogue.

Real startup founders, investors, and tech companies were consulted to lend realism to business ventures and technical details throughout the story.

The narrative is set in a contemporary Japan dominated by mega-corporations, cut-throat competition, and tech startups.

It lays out a detailed corporate landscape, featuring behemoth companies like Dragon Bank run by Kazuma Kokuryū, as well as smaller, nimble rivals like Haru's and Manabu's Trillion Game Inc.

The series shines a spotlight on entrepreneurship, venture capital, M&A battles, and the shifting power dynamics between tech titans and ambitious newcomers.

Themes of AI, hacking, social games, and cutting-edge telecom innovations run throughout the saga.

The story follows Haru Tennōji—a charismatic, cunning, and endlessly optimistic young man—and his polar opposite, Manabu Taira, a meek, brilliant programmer with no people skills.

Haru’s dream? Earn a trillion dollars. Manabu's? Just lead a modest life.

After a tense reunion post-university, Haru convinces Manabu to ditch big company dreams and build their own empire.

They found Trillion Game Inc., using wild ideas, hacks, and sheer audacity to gather investments, win tech competitions, and break into the online retail business with a fake AI service.

Their runaway success catches the attention (and wrath) of Kirika Kokuryū—heiress of the powerful Dragon Bank.

What follows is a business war involving hacking tournaments, manipulation, talent poaching, M&A showdowns, a meteoric social game launch, a hostile talent agency takeover, and maneuvers to dominate media with Trillion TV.

As the power struggle escalates, allies and rivals emerge, from determined investors like Kazuki Kedōin to enigmatic developers like Tōru Hebijima, and fierce competitors like Kirika Kokuryū herself.

Amid boardroom betrayals, IPO fever, and kabuki-level showdowns in Tokyo’s entertainment districts, Haru and Manabu’s fortunes rise and fall on schemes that blur lines between genius and madness.

The story is often told as a flashback from the perspective of a now-wealthy Manabu, reflecting on their journey from humble origins to the gates of the world's billionaire elite.

• Trillion Game Inc.: The startup founded by Haru and Manabu to disrupt the business world with ambitious, often outrageous, ideas.
• Dragon Bank: A tech conglomerate led by Kazuma Kokuryū, the main corporate antagonist and symbol of ruthless big business.
• AI Select Shop “Yorinuki”: A fake AI-powered e-commerce venture that’s secretly powered by Rinrin Takahashi's meticulous hands-on management.
• Security Championship: A high-stakes hacking contest resembling real-world security competitions, pivotal in establishing the duo's reputation.
• PlushPlush Land: The viral social game developed under Trillion Game Inc.—a massive cash cow and proof of their creative tech prowess.
• Trillion TV: The group’s bid to conquer the media and information landscape, setting up a full-scale internet TV operation.

The original manga began serialization in Big Comic Superior in 2020 and has released 10 tankōbon volumes as of February 2025.

A live-action TV drama aired on TBS in 2023, starring Ren Meguro as Haru and Hayato Sano as Manabu, praised for capturing the manga's energetic spirit.

A theatrical feature film, serving as a sequel to the drama, premiered in 2025 with much of the cast reprising their roles.

A full-length anime adaptation by MADHOUSE aired from October 2024 to March 2025 across TBS and other networks, spanning 26 episodes and covering the main startup arc up to the explosive media battle, with a unique anime-original epilogue supervised by the original manga creator.

Real-world startup founders, tech experts, and business professionals participated heavily in technical supervision.

Flatt Security (IT/hacking), Sakaseru (florist business), venture capitalist Anri Samata, and gaming legend Yoshiki Okamoto were among the consultants.

Fashion designer Itsuki Aizawa styled Kirika's ever-changing outfits based on real fashion shoots.

Expertise in scripting realistic IPOs, hostile takeovers, and actual business methodologies sets the series apart.

The drama was filmed in modern Tokyo, with many locations borrowed from actual IT companies and the real Kabukicho nightlife scene.

• The live-action TV drama featured “Dangerholic” by Snow Man as the ending theme.
• The anime’s first cour used "&TEAM" with "Beat the odds" as its opening, with "AmbiRubble" by Klang Ruler as the ending.
• The second half featured "Over the Top" by Hiroji Miyamoto for the opening and "EGOIST" by imase as the ending.
• The live-action film’s main theme is "SBY" performed by Snow Man.

Trillion Game has garnered numerous accolades, including the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024.

The TV drama earned top spots in the TV LIFE Drama Awards, clinching Best Actor, Best Theme Song, and Best Work.

The series exceeded 2.1 million copies in circulation as of November 2024, drawing praise for its fresh, witty portrayal of modern business battles.

Both live-action and anime adaptations were celebrated for their charismatic leads, sharp humor, and high production values.

Promotions included collaborations with convenience stores and real companies, making its fictional businesses feel all the more real.

The mix of over-the-top schemes, relatable startup struggles, and buddy comedy has broadened its appeal far beyond traditional manga demographics.

• The manga incorporates QR codes and interactive mail addresses, allowing readers to “contact” main characters and receive in-universe responses.
• Real-life business strategies, startup lingo, and IT challenges are humorously yet realistically illustrated.
• Special cosplay collaborations, celebrity endorsements, and in-depth making-of content boost fan engagement.