Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night is an original anime from Doga Kobo made for the studio’s 50th anniversary. Set in Shibuya, it follows four Japanese girls who form the band JELEE to chase global fame: Mahiru Kouzuki, an illustrator who’s stopped drawing; Kano Yamanouchi, a former idol trying to prove herself with singing; Nox Ryūgasaki, who calls herself the “strongest” VTuber; and Kimura-chan, a mysterious composer who wants to support her favorite artist.
The series was directed by Ryōhei Takeshita with scripts by Yūki Yaku and music by Masaru Yokoyama. It aired on Tokyo MX and other networks from April 7 to June 23, 2024, totaling 12 episodes. A manga adaptation by Niko Fujii ran on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket from April 7 to December 1, 2024, and four volumes were released. A light novel by Yūki Yaku, with art by popman3580, appeared in three volumes between May and July 2024.
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night is licensed in North America, Australia, and the British Isles by Sentai Filmworks, with Muse Communications handling Asia-Pacific. It streams on Hidive in various regions. The opening theme is “Irodori” performed by KanoeRana, and the ending theme is “Ichi-nichi wa 25-jikan” by Anna Tsurushima.
Reception to the show was mixed to positive. Some critics praised the characters and visuals, especially the nighttime Shibuya setting and musical moments, while others felt the storytelling relied too much on symbolism or blunt metaphors. Overall, many found it earnest and enjoyable, with strong animation and ambitious ideas.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:52 (CET).