Confectionery company and conglomerate Lotte is continuing its "Gum Kare!" campaign with a new manga series, Gum Kare! -Idol Hajimemashita- (Gum Boyfriends!: The Idols Get Started). Akino Shiina is illustrating the manga based on Lotte's original concept.

In the story, the handsome personified gum characters are starting their own idol group called chu♡chu SUNSHiNE. The heroine of the story is a female high school student who suddenly becomes a tooth. The girl works as the male idol group's producer as they journey towards a major debut.

This heroine doesn't need cheeks to blush and doesn't need to be human to start a romance with anthropomorphized gum. She's a capable producer, thank you very much. Just let her do her job.

The manga's official page on the pixiv Comic website added character profiles on Saturday. The manga will officially begin serializing on the site on September 29. People with the Lotte app can get an advance look at the beginning of the first chapter of the manga from Saturday until September 28.

Lotte began streaming an ending movie for the last wave of the "Gum Kare!" campaign in March. In the video, the tooth heroine interacts with the gum boys in a variety of environments.

Lotte launched the "Gum Kare!" project in 2014 and introduced their personified gum brands as “lovers for your mouth.” The gum boys are voiced by famous male voice talents that Lotte previewed in the promotional videos:

Yuuki Kaji as Acuo Seiryo (Acuo)

Acuo: Gum Kare!

Acuo: Is math class that boring? Heh... I guess seeing your spaced-out face from the seat next to you in class is my special privilege.

Text: Age: 17

Likes: The coolness of a department store in summer, cold water baths

Dislikes: Oppressive things, things that are a pain to do

Acuo: I'm thankful to whatever god out there that gave me this seat.

Acuo: A refreshing present for you. If we're at this distance, then even in class, you... Can feel my breath, right?

Tooth: Oh, A-Acuo-kun... I'm so embarrassed...

Sound Effect: Ba-bump!

All: Gum Kare! Who do you want to bite?

Kazuya Nakai as Black Shigeki (Black Black)

Black: Gum Kare!

Black: You sure had a comfortable-looking sleeping face, you know that? You OK? Lunch break is already over. Oh... Or are you going to skip?

Text: Age: 18

Likes: Small animals, the kind of person who is not wishy-washy

Dislikes: People who bully those weaker than themselves, people who sleep in class

Black: Huh? I'm... Well, I'm the kind of guy who isn't tied down by time.

Black: Stay here just a little more. ...Dummy. You're a woman who can't feel refreshed with anything else but my harsh mouth (a pun on 'harsh taste'), right?

Tooth: I really can't win against you, Black-senpai...

Sound Effect: Ba-bump!

All: Gum Kare! Who do you want to bite?

Tomokazu Sugita as Xylit Shirakaba (Xylitol)

Xylit: Gum Kare!

Xylit: Hey you! Yeah, you, yes, I mean you! Geez, that's mean of you to just keep on walking even though I'm calling your name!

Text: Age: 18

Likes: Everything beautiful, himself in the mirror

Dislikes: Cavities, people who aren't beautiful

Xylit: Oh, I get it! I was surrounded in girls, so you couldn't see me, huh? Hahaha! I am such a sinful guy...

Xylit: I came to invite you on an after-school date. Won't you dye your daily routine in me?

Xylit: Oh, Xylit-senpai! You are sooooo bold!

Sound Effect: Ba-bump!

All: Gum Kare! Who do you want to bite?

Kenichi Suzumura as Gren Shinryoku (Greengum)

Gren: Gum Kare!

Gren: I've found one tardy student... You again?

Text: Age: 17

Likes: Organized bookshelves, peaceful walks through the woods

Dislikes: Fingerprints on glasses, people with untucked shirts

Gren: How many times do I need to warn you about this until you're satisfied? I hope you don't think you can fool me.

Gren: Honestly... The me of late has been rather strange... As I continue to meet you... My mint... Begins to gain fragrance.

Tooth: Gren-kun... Could that mean that... You feel that way about me...?

Sound Effect: Ba-bump!

All: Gum Kare! Who do you want to bite?

Hiro Shimono as Fits Yawaraka (Fit's)

Fits: Gum Kare!

Fits: Hey lady, watch out! Phew... Crisis averted.

Text: Age: 16

Likes: Dancing while chewing gum, nice upperclassmen

Dislikes: Scary upperclassmen, being treated like a child

Fits: Geez. If I hadn't caught this ball, it would have gone BANG! Right into your head.

Fits: How was I? Did you think that I was a little manly? I'm not all fun and games, you know. ...So be ready.

Tooth: Geez...! You're saying that again, Fits-kun...?

Sound Effect: Ba-bump!

All: Gum Kare! Who do you want to bite?

The campaign also held a contest in 2014 to see who fans most want to bite. Fits Yawaraka, played by Shimono, won the popularity poll.

Source: Comic Natalie