Grappara! Blu-ray Box

Sakura Katsuragi is a newcomer to gravure modeling who dreams of appearing on a magazine cover. She works hard at photo sessions, but her agency pays her almost nothing and forbids outside jobs, leaving her unable to cover the rent. After a session, a stalker attacks her and fan Shinobu Sumida intervenes, receiving a knife wound that fortunately proves minor. When Sakura admits she is considering giving up, Shinobu recognizes the disappointment he felt after abandoning his own ambition to become a film director.

Determined to help her continue, Shinobu offers Sakura a room in the house he shares with aspiring photographer Yano, who looks after the old property for a relative. Yano agrees, and their unexpected shared life begins. Swimsuit photographs he takes of Sakura attract a strong response when she posts them online, rebuilding her confidence. But manager Busujima notices the attention, and the pair must contend with exploitative schemes, sexual harassment and manipulative industry figures as they try to turn Sakura's dream into a career. The series blends romance and suggestive comedy with the pressures facing a struggling performer.

Ruka Kitano stars as Sakura, with Gaku Oshida as Shinobu, Ibuki Kimura as Yano and Nobu Morimoto as Busujima. The complete ensemble also includes Rina Hashimoto, Nanaka Yano, Yosuke Nishi, Yuka Nihei and Mariya Nagao. Adapted from Airi Katsura and Keiji Nishikida's manga, the drama is written by Shinya Hokimoto and directed by Kenji Kuwajima, with production by ABC Libra for ABC. Tokino Sora performs the theme song "Dancing Reed".

All eight episodes, totaling 186 minutes, are presented on two main discs, with a third disc containing a making-of feature. A booklet accompanies the box. Japanese Linear PCM 2.0 stereo audio is included without subtitles.