Trillion Game

Trillion Game (トリリオンゲーム) is a Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami. It has been serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Superior since December 2020. A television drama adaptation aired from July to September 2023. An anime television series adaptation produced by Madhouse is set to premiere in October 2024. A live-action film adaptation is set to premiere in 2025.

The series won the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024.

Plot
The founders of big company Trillion Game, Haru and Gaku, are two young men who become the first Japanese people in the 21st century to be listed in the top 10 of The World's Billionaires. The story takes place from Gaku's perspective, who recalls how he came this far: his first encounter with Haru, their first establishment of Trillion Game, and people who are involved with the success of the company.

Main

 * Haru Tennōji (天王寺 陽)
 * A self-proclaimed "world's most selfish man" who aims to earn a trillion dollars by establishing the Trillion Game. Haru is gifted with high communication skills, intelligence, and physical strength. He is good at negotiating, has unmatched will to never give up, and willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals. As co-founder of Trillion Game, he serves as its liaison, sales representative, as well business decision maker.
 * He was once got a part of Dragon Bank, a large corporation runs by the Kokuryū, but quits on day one because Gaku was not hired. He values Gaku and his engineering ability and would support him anytime. His speciality dish is a large-portion spicy fried rice. He is multilingual; fluent in including, but not limited to English, Chinese, and French.
 * It is still unknown why he is nowhere to be seen in the present timeline.
 * He was once got a part of Dragon Bank, a large corporation runs by the Kokuryū, but quits on day one because Gaku was not hired. He values Gaku and his engineering ability and would support him anytime. His speciality dish is a large-portion spicy fried rice. He is multilingual; fluent in including, but not limited to English, Chinese, and French.
 * It is still unknown why he is nowhere to be seen in the present timeline.


 * Manabu "Gaku" Taira (平 学)
 * The narrator in most part of the story, who established Trilion Game with Haru and serves as the President of the company in the present timeline. Contrary to Haru, he is reclusive, timid, socially awkward, and weak-willed. His first encounter with Haru was when he saved Gaku from being bullied, where Haru found out about Gaku's talent. A computer otaku who, despite being self-taught, has a skill that is on par with professionals: he hacked into Dragon Bank's server, even found out the fault in the company's security system. He unintentionally admitted this during his job interview there, which caught Kirika's attention. His nickname "Gaku" (ガク) is the result of the on'yomi reading of his first name.
 * One of his treasured asset is a ¥200,000 (around $1,300) office chair that Haru bought for him using their starting fund.
 * The narrator in most part of the story, who established Trilion Game with Haru and serves as the President of the company in the present timeline. Contrary to Haru, he is reclusive, timid, socially awkward, and weak-willed. His first encounter with Haru was when he saved Gaku from being bullied, where Haru found out about Gaku's talent. A computer otaku who, despite being self-taught, has a skill that is on par with professionals: he hacked into Dragon Bank's server, even found out the fault in the company's security system. He unintentionally admitted this during his job interview there, which caught Kirika's attention. His nickname "Gaku" (ガク) is the result of the on'yomi reading of his first name.
 * One of his treasured asset is a ¥200,000 (around $1,300) office chair that Haru bought for him using their starting fund.


 * Kirika Kokuryū (黒龍 キリカ) / Kirihime (桐姫)
 * The board director of Dragon Bank as well the only daughter of its President Kazuma Kokuryū. She is nicknamed "Kirihime" by media for her atmosphere and personality. A brilliant, calm, but arrogant and irreverent, she treats everyone around her in business-like manner. Kirika likes people who "can do their job" and has a keen eye for people as well selfish nature inherited from her father. She became obsessed with Haru and Gaku after witnessing what they are capable of and has been trying to take them under her control, though none resulted in success. Despite this, there are multiple times when she helps Haru and Gaku, thinking it's more fun that way.
 * The board director of Dragon Bank as well the only daughter of its President Kazuma Kokuryū. She is nicknamed "Kirihime" by media for her atmosphere and personality. A brilliant, calm, but arrogant and irreverent, she treats everyone around her in business-like manner. Kirika likes people who "can do their job" and has a keen eye for people as well selfish nature inherited from her father. She became obsessed with Haru and Gaku after witnessing what they are capable of and has been trying to take them under her control, though none resulted in success. Despite this, there are multiple times when she helps Haru and Gaku, thinking it's more fun that way.
 * The board director of Dragon Bank as well the only daughter of its President Kazuma Kokuryū. She is nicknamed "Kirihime" by media for her atmosphere and personality. A brilliant, calm, but arrogant and irreverent, she treats everyone around her in business-like manner. Kirika likes people who "can do their job" and has a keen eye for people as well selfish nature inherited from her father. She became obsessed with Haru and Gaku after witnessing what they are capable of and has been trying to take them under her control, though none resulted in success. Despite this, there are multiple times when she helps Haru and Gaku, thinking it's more fun that way.


 * Rinrin Takahashi (高橋 凜々)
 * The President of Trillion Game, who was only a college student when she was hired. She is known for being too stiff, which was a part of the failure in her job hunting. But also because of her personality, she is sensitive to even very smallest detailーsomething that neither Haru or Gaku possess. Before joining Trillion Game, she worked as a part-timer at a flower shop, which explains her knowledge about flowers. Using this, she posed as Trillion Game's then-fake "AI system" that offers consultation about flower arrangement in the company's online flower shop "Yorinuki" under name "Torinrin." As an actual AI replaced her job and she graduated from college, Rinrin officially become the company's President.
 * The President of Trillion Game, who was only a college student when she was hired. She is known for being too stiff, which was a part of the failure in her job hunting. But also because of her personality, she is sensitive to even very smallest detailーsomething that neither Haru or Gaku possess. Before joining Trillion Game, she worked as a part-timer at a flower shop, which explains her knowledge about flowers. Using this, she posed as Trillion Game's then-fake "AI system" that offers consultation about flower arrangement in the company's online flower shop "Yorinuki" under name "Torinrin." As an actual AI replaced her job and she graduated from college, Rinrin officially become the company's President.
 * The President of Trillion Game, who was only a college student when she was hired. She is known for being too stiff, which was a part of the failure in her job hunting. But also because of her personality, she is sensitive to even very smallest detailーsomething that neither Haru or Gaku possess. Before joining Trillion Game, she worked as a part-timer at a flower shop, which explains her knowledge about flowers. Using this, she posed as Trillion Game's then-fake "AI system" that offers consultation about flower arrangement in the company's online flower shop "Yorinuki" under name "Torinrin." As an actual AI replaced her job and she graduated from college, Rinrin officially become the company's President.

Trillion Game related parties

 * Kazuki Kedōin (祁答院 一輝)
 * The President of Kedōin Venture capital as well Haru and Gaku's first investor. He is noticeable always seen wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, and leather shoes with heart and clover accessories on its soles. Despite his foul-mouthed personality, he seems to be good looking after his alliance.
 * He used to work as a manager at talent agency God Production but was forced to step out for covering one of its talent's scandal, having his life temporarily ruined. After teaming up with Haru, he successfully taking over the company and becoming its President.
 * The President of Kedōin Venture capital as well Haru and Gaku's first investor. He is noticeable always seen wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, and leather shoes with heart and clover accessories on its soles. Despite his foul-mouthed personality, he seems to be good looking after his alliance.
 * He used to work as a manager at talent agency God Production but was forced to step out for covering one of its talent's scandal, having his life temporarily ruined. After teaming up with Haru, he successfully taking over the company and becoming its President.


 * Mizuki (水樹)
 * A high school student who works part-time as Kedōin's assistant. She also appears in present timeline where she works for Gaku. She has sharp tongue and does not hesitate to speak up against Kedōin or Gaku.
 * In the live-action drama, she is always seen with sailor school uniform and has her first name revealed, being named Fūka (風華), whilst in the manga she has seen wearing other clothes and has only been called "Mizuki."
 * In the live-action drama, she is always seen with sailor school uniform and has her first name revealed, being named Fūka (風華), whilst in the manga she has seen wearing other clothes and has only been called "Mizuki."


 * Shingo Sakura (桜 心護)
 * The former President of Sakusaku Lab, a small indie game company that Haru and Gaku acquired to rival Dragon Bank's big hit game "Dragon Musume." He takes pride in game making; his employe describe as someone who is "capable of making good games, but lack of talent to make him hits" which caused all of his produced game resulted in company loss. The company's first online game, "Puchi Puchi Land," as remake of Shingo's first game. It became a hit success after Trillion Game successfully employed Dragon Musume's former producer Hebijima into the company.
 * The former President of Sakusaku Lab, a small indie game company that Haru and Gaku acquired to rival Dragon Bank's big hit game "Dragon Musume." He takes pride in game making; his employe describe as someone who is "capable of making good games, but lack of talent to make him hits" which caused all of his produced game resulted in company loss. The company's first online game, "Puchi Puchi Land," as remake of Shingo's first game. It became a hit success after Trillion Game successfully employed Dragon Musume's former producer Hebijima into the company.

Dragon Bank related parties

 * Kazuma Kokuryū (黒龍 一真)
 * The president of Dragon Bank and Kirika's father. Selfish just like his daughter, he calls his desire for control and ownership of anything that gets in the way of his business. He confessed that he does not like fighting his rivals, and would either buy them over, or just completely crush them. After Trillion Game's online flower Yorinuki's success catches his attention, he started to imitate all the business attempt that Trillion Game does, and offering a large sum of money take Trillion Game under his control. He even asked Haru to marry his daughter in order to make him part of Kokuryū.
 * The president of Dragon Bank and Kirika's father. Selfish just like his daughter, he calls his desire for control and ownership of anything that gets in the way of his business. He confessed that he does not like fighting his rivals, and would either buy them over, or just completely crush them. After Trillion Game's online flower Yorinuki's success catches his attention, he started to imitate all the business attempt that Trillion Game does, and offering a large sum of money take Trillion Game under his control. He even asked Haru to marry his daughter in order to make him part of Kokuryū.
 * The president of Dragon Bank and Kirika's father. Selfish just like his daughter, he calls his desire for control and ownership of anything that gets in the way of his business. He confessed that he does not like fighting his rivals, and would either buy them over, or just completely crush them. After Trillion Game's online flower Yorinuki's success catches his attention, he started to imitate all the business attempt that Trillion Game does, and offering a large sum of money take Trillion Game under his control. He even asked Haru to marry his daughter in order to make him part of Kokuryū.


 * Nagase (長瀬)
 * Kirika's personal bodyguard and assistant who always looks irritated whenever Haru and Gaku approach her. His first name Tadanori (忠則) was never revealed in the manga.
 * Kirika's personal bodyguard and assistant who always looks irritated whenever Haru and Gaku approach her. His first name Tadanori (忠則) was never revealed in the manga.
 * Kirika's personal bodyguard and assistant who always looks irritated whenever Haru and Gaku approach her. His first name Tadanori (忠則) was never revealed in the manga.

Manga
Written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, Trillion Game started in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Superior on December 11, 2020. Shogakukan has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on March 30, 2021. As of April 30, 2024, nine volumes have been released.

In February 2024, Viz Media announced that they licensed the manga for English publication in Q4 2024.

Live-action
A television drama adaptation was announced on March 23, 2023. The series stars Ren Meguro as Haru Tennōji and Hayato Sano as Manabu "Gaku" Taira, and aired on TBS from July 14 to September 15, 2023. Snow Man performs the theme song "Dangerholic." The drama began streaming on Netflix worldwide in October 2023.

A live-action film, featuring the same cast and staff from the drama series, is set to premiere in 2025.

Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on September 15, 2023. The series will be animated by Madhouse and directed by Yūzō Satō, with Ryunosuke Kingetsu overseeing series scripts, Kei Tsuchiya designing the characters, and Takurō Iga composing the music. It is set to premiere in October 2024 on TBS and other networks.

Reception
By September 2023, the manga had over 1.5 million copies in circulation. Trillion Game was one of the fifty nominees for the Next Manga Award in 2021. It ranked eighth on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022 list of best manga for male readers. It was nominated for the 15th Manga Taishō in 2022 and placed sixth with 55 points. Along with The Elusive Samurai, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and Sūji de Asobo, Trillion Game won the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024.