A large number of Japanese and U.S. films based on "manga" comic strips have come out in recent years and they are enjoying wide popularity.
"Nana," a blockbuster based on the love stories described in Ai Yazawa's popular manga series targeted at girls in their early to midteens, is expected to take in 4 billion yen at the box office. The comic book series has published more than a dozen volumes.
In an attempt to replicate this success, a film adaptation of "Honey and Clover" is in production in Tokyo. The film is based on Chika Umino's popular manga, which has sold more than 3.6 million copies.