Kyotaro Ichikawa is a severe chuunibyou boy who loves reading gruesome books about murder. He secretly observes Anna Yamada — a beautiful class star who also works as a model — while harboring dangerous fantasies like "someday I'll get rid of her."
But one day, Yamada comes to Ichikawa's sanctuary, the library. Drawn to the innocent, slightly airheaded Yamada and her unpredictable actions, Ichikawa gradually can't take his eyes off her.
Airing from April 2023, produced by Shin-Ei Animation. A pure-love rom-com with full marks for bittersweetness, carefully depicting the gloomy protagonist's "dangerous" inner voice and the tantalizing, too-precious way the two grow closer. 💗
📝 Highlights & Appeal Light spoilers
01① Pure Love with Off-the-Charts Sweetness
Every time Ichikawa and Yamada grow closer, it's so bittersweet you get embarrassed yourself. Preciousness that makes you writhe.
02② Chuunibyou Boy Ichikawa's Inner Voice
Ichikawa's monologue mixing dangerous fantasies and true feelings is too funny. His growth is a highlight too.
03③ Innocent, Too-Cute Yamada
Unpredictable, a bit airheaded, yet kind — Yamada's cuteness is extraordinary. You get swept up by her every move.
04④ The "Change" in Their Relationship, Drawn with Care
The process of gloomy Ichikawa slowly changing through Yamada is drawn with care. His inner growth brings tears.
05⑤ "Inner Voice" Direction Bursting with Preciousness
The direction of monologue and expression is superb, conveying the subtleties of their bond painfully well. Careful staging shines.
06⑥ Comedy That Makes You Chuckle
Ichikawa's dangerous fantasies and the two's off-kilter exchanges are comically funny. The balance of sweetness and laughs is the best.
07⑦ Yorushika's Theme Tied Right into the World
The OP "Shayo" beautifully speaks for Ichikawa's wavering heart. The visuals and song go superbly together.
08⑧ Leaves Your Heart Warm
Watching over the two makes you feel happy too. A grin-inducing comfort that won't stop.
💡 Key Points & Predictions Some spoilers
Ahead, sparked by a chance meeting in the library, Ichikawa and Yamada slowly grow closer. Ichikawa, who at first only observed Yamada from afar, comes to notice the true feelings he'd hidden behind gruesome fantasies as he touches her kindness and innocence. The gloomy, self-doubting Ichikawa slowly changing and growing through his bond with Yamada is heart-stirring even amid the comedy. Writhing at each tantalizingly sweet exchange between the two, you can't look away from the process of a first love slowly taking shape. 💗
🧾 Story So Far Contains spoilers
Kyotaro Ichikawa — a gloomy, severely chuunibyou boy who loves gruesome books about murder — secretly observed Anna Yamada, a beautiful class star who also models, while harboring dangerous fantasies like "someday I'll get rid of her." One day, Yamada comes to Ichikawa's sanctuary, the library. Swept up by the innocent, unpredictable Yamada, Ichikawa gradually can't take his eyes off her. The presence he only watched from afar becomes a relationship where they slowly exchange words. A bittersweet first-love story begins, as Ichikawa's true feelings — hidden behind gruesome fantasies — slowly take shape through his bond with Yamada.
✅ Recommended Viewing Points
Highly recommended for fans of bittersweet pure-love rom-coms, and anyone who wants to savor a protagonist's inner growth. Above all, the two's closeness is precious and lets you grin until you writhe — its greatest charm. Fans of tantalizing rom-coms like Teasing Master Takagi-san or My Little Monster will be especially hooked. The gloomy protagonist's inner voice is funny, and watching him slowly change is heart-stirring. A gem full of bittersweetness, perfect for when you want to grin and warm your heart. 💗
👀 Trivia & Fun Facts
💫 Unresolved Foreshadowing Contains spoilers
- Ichikawa's true feelings, hidden behind gruesome fantasies.
- How the once-gloomy Ichikawa changes through his bond with Yamada.
- How Ichikawa and Yamada's relationship moves from observation to friends and beyond.
- How the appearance of Nanjo, a model at Yamada's agency, affects the two.
💌 Predicted Viral Quotes for Next Season
— Chuunibyou Ichikawa's inner voice, dangerous yet somehow cute.
"You know, Ichikawa, you're surprisingly interesting."
— A line from the innocent Yamada that stirs Ichikawa's heart.
"...I found myself wanting to change."
— A line expressing Ichikawa's yearning to grow, born from meeting Yamada.