Serialized in Kodansha's "Magazine Pocket" since 2022, it was nominated in the Web Manga category of the "Next Manga Award 2023."
The hero is first-year high schooler Yonosuke Sakai (nicknamed "A-U"), who dearly loves rom-coms—especially childhood-friend rom-coms.
True to its paradoxical title, the heroines surrounding him are all childhood friends—making for a harem rom-com.
Animated by Tezuka Productions, premiering January 5, 2026!
📝 魅力・見どころ・特徴 ネタバレ控えめ
01① Every Heroine Is a 'Childhood Friend'
The biggest feature is that every heroine around the hero is a 'childhood friend.'
The popular Shio, the gyaru Akari, the little-sister-type Runa, and the sporty Haru—childhood friends of all types gather at once.
A new-era harem rom-com that overturns the 'childhood friend always loses' cliché 💕
02② The Rom-Com Otaku Hero's Meta Perspective
The hero A-U loves childhood-friend rom-coms so much that he insists 'real childhood friends can't become a rom-com.'
That's exactly why he's oblivious to the affection aimed at him, and his cluelessness drives the comedy.
The self-aware, meta jabs at rom-com tropes are addictive 😆
03③ A Cast of Distinctive Heroines
The cheerful, beloved Shio; the bright, easygoing gyaru Akari; the earnest Runa; and the energetic Haru—each is a completely different type.
Since each closes the distance in her own way, the fun of picking a favorite is part of the appeal ✨
04④ The Thrill of Ever-Changing 'Distance'
Distances that felt natural as kids gradually turn into something heart-pounding as they grow.
Once-casual exchanges now make them self-conscious—that bittersweet shift is the essence of childhood-friend stories 💗
05⑤ Theme Songs Colored by HoneyWorks
The opening theme is 'I Love You♡' by HoneyWorks meets Shio, Akari, Runa, and Haru (the voice cast).
The ending is 'Amanojaku' by Hikari Kodama.
The sweet, fluttery songs heighten the show's charm 🎵
06⑥ Youth Drawn by Tezuka Productions
Animation is by the renowned Tezuka Productions.
Expectations are high for expressive characters and the soft, rom-com atmosphere in its art 🎬
07⑦ A Perfect Balance of Comedy and Flutter
Snappy comedy and surprise heart-fluttering moments alternate in waves.
You'll laugh, relax, and occasionally get caught off guard—a show you can enjoy without overthinking 😊
08⑧ The Source Manga's Proven Popularity
The source is a hit in 'Magazine Pocket,' nominated for the 'Next Manga Award 2023.'
This is the anime adaptation of a talked-about work that shook up the childhood-friend rom-com genre 📚
💡 注目ポイント・展開予想 軽めネタバレ
The biggest draw is whether A-U can keep insisting that 'childhood friends can't become a rom-com' to the very end.
As the differently-typed childhood friends slowly close the distance, when—and whose feelings—will the oblivious hero finally notice?
Get ready to cheer and agonize over every step your favorite heroine takes 💗
🧾 これまでのあらすじ ネタバレあり
First-year high schooler Yonosuke Sakai—'A-U'—loves childhood-friend rom-coms so much that he firmly believes 'real childhood friends can't become a rom-com.'
By his side are two childhood friends: the carefree, popular Shio and the gyaru Akari.
Distances that meant nothing as kids begin to turn heart-pounding as they grow, and his theory starts to waver.
With the little-sister-type Runa and the sporty Haru joining in, a lively rom-com—where every heroine is a childhood friend—begins.
✅ 観る・注目するおすすめポイント
Recommended for:
✅ Fans of childhood-friend heroines (they're ALL childhood friends!)
✅ Anyone who wants a sweet, funny harem rom-com to enjoy casually
✅ Fans of meta humor that pokes at rom-com tropes
✅ Anyone who wants to swoon over HoneyWorks theme songs
👀 トリビア・驚きの小ネタ集
・The source has run in Kodansha's 'Magazine Pocket' since 2022 and was nominated in the Web Manga category of the 'Next Manga Award 2023.'
・OP is 'I Love You♡' by HoneyWorks meets the four heroines; ED is 'Amanojaku' by Hikari Kodama 🎵
・It airs on TV Tokyo affiliates, AT-X, and BS Nittele, and streams on d Anime Store and others 📺
💫 未回収の伏線 ネタバレあり
Points to watch:
・When and how will A-U's belief that 'childhood friends can't become a rom-com' be overturned?
・How far will the feelings of Shio, Akari, Runa, and Haru progress?
・Will new heroines join the mix of differently-typed childhood friends?
・Whose affection will the oblivious hero notice first?
💌 次シーズンで絶対バズる名セリフ予想
💬 "Childhood friends can't become a rom-com"—A-U's motto, and a setup that the whole story plays against.
💬 The heroines' out-of-nowhere approaches throw both A-U (and the viewer) off balance.