The romantic comedy manga, Marika’s Love Meter Malfunction (茉莉花ちゃんの好感度はぶっ壊れている) by Rin Komugi, is officially set to receive an anime adaptation on AnimeFesta. The series, known for its unique twist on the “love meter” trope, will join AnimeFesta’s lineup of digital manga adaptations.
Unraveling “Marika’s Love Meter Malfunction”
Marika’s Love Meter Malfunction centers on Kanata Kitami, a timid loner with a long-standing crush on his popular childhood friend, Marika Chitose. After wishing upon a shooting star to better understand people’s feelings, Kanata awakens to find he can see “love meters” floating above the heads of girls. His confusion deepens when he discovers Marika’s meter is not just low, but “broken” and in the negative, despite her consistently kind and friendly demeanor towards him.
The Manga’s Intriguing Premise
The core of the romantic comedy lies in this central mystery: Marika secretly harbors an intense, almost obsessive affection for Kanata, so profound that it overwhelms and “breaks” her love meter. This creates a humorous and endearing dynamic as Kanata misinterprets her “broken” meter as a sign of dislike, while Marika’s actions inadvertently demonstrate her extreme devotion. The manga delves into themes of unspoken feelings, miscommunication, and the hidden complexities beneath a seemingly perfect exterior. Rin Komugi, the author, aimed to write a series featuring characters clumsy at expressing their love.
AnimeFesta: A Platform for Diverse Manga Adaptations
AnimeFesta, formerly known as ComicFesta Anime and initially “Anime Zone,” is a prominent anime streaming platform operated by WWWave Corporation. It launched in April 2017 with Sōryo to Majiwaru Shikiyoku no Yoru ni… and has since consistently debuted new series every three months.
The Dual Version Model
A distinctive feature of AnimeFesta adaptations is the release of two versions for each series: a “broadcast” (censored) version for television and a “premium” (uncensored) version distributed online. This model caters to different audiences and is particularly common given that AnimeFesta primarily adapts manga from adult, “teen’s love” (TL), and “boy’s love” (BL) genres, many of which are published by Suiseisha.
Publication and Accessibility of the Manga
Marika’s Love Meter Malfunction began its online serialization in April 2024 and is written and illustrated by Rin Komugi. The series is published by Wwwave Comics in Japanese, and an English version is made available by MangaPlaza and Coolmic, an English-language service also owned by WWWave Corporation. The manga is ongoing, with new chapters regularly released.
Anticipation for the Anime Adaptation
The announcement of an anime adaptation for Marika’s Love Meter Malfunction is expected to excite fans of romantic comedies and those familiar with AnimeFesta’s distinctive approach to adaptations. The series’ comedic potential, driven by its unique “love meter” premise and the contrasting perspectives of its two main characters, lends itself well to animation. Viewers can look forward to seeing Kanata’s baffled reactions and Marika’s intense, yet hidden, affection brought to life on screen.
