Yūki Dōmoto’s popular romantic comedy manga, “I Want to End This Love Game” (愛してるゲームを終わらせたい, Aishiteru Gēmu O Owara Setai), is officially getting a TV anime adaptation. The announcement, made on June 12, 2025, which is celebrated as “Lover’s Day” in Japan, has sparked excitement among fans of the manga.
A Sweet yet Frustrating Game of Love
“I Want to End This Love Game” revolves around the story of Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura, childhood friends who have been engaged in a peculiar game since the sixth grade. The rules are simple: they must try to make each other’s heart flutter by saying “I love you,” and the first one to get flustered loses.
Four years later, even as they enter high school, the “Love Game” continues. While they casually exchange declarations of love, both Yukiya and Miku harbor secret, genuine feelings for each other. However, they fear that confessing their true emotions might be too late, leading to a complicated dance of denial and unspoken desires.
From Web Manga to Anime Screens
Written and illustrated by Yūki Dōmoto, “I Want to End This Love Game” began serialization on Shogakukan’s online platform, Sunday Webry, on December 24, 2021. The manga has been compiled into six tankōbon volumes as of April 10, 2024, with the seventh volume slated for release on June 18, 2025.
Viz Media has licensed the manga for English release in North America, with the sixth volume already available as of May 13, 2025.
The anime adaptation was announced on June 12, 2025, with Yūki Dōmoto posting a special illustration to commemorate the occasion. Further details regarding the broadcast schedule, voice cast, and production staff are expected to be revealed at a later date.
Plot Thickens: More Than Just a Game
The story begins with Yukiya, who has undergone a significant “glow-up” after shedding his former image as a quiet nerd. His mission: to win over Miku, his best friend, using romantic tactics inspired by her favorite shōjo manga. He’s ready to sweep her off her feet with bold, over-the-top gestures, hoping to make her heart race.
However, Yukiya’s attempts to replicate romantic scenarios from fiction often result in awkward moments and misunderstandings, further complicating their already delicate relationship. Despite their mutual feelings, both Yukiya and Miku struggle to break free from the confines of their “Love Game” and express their true emotions.
Themes and Characters: A Dive Deeper
Yukiya Asagi: The Introverted Romantic
Yukiya is a multifaceted character who experiences significant development throughout the series. Initially portrayed as an introverted boy who struggles to communicate with others, especially girls, he undergoes a transformation upon entering high school. Despite his social awkwardness, Yukiya is determined to win Miku’s heart, employing various romantic strategies to fluster her and win the “Love Game”.
However, beneath his romantic antics lies a deeper vulnerability. Yukiya’s introverted nature and social insecurities often hinder his attempts to connect with Miku and her friends. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy and fears that confessing his true emotions might ruin their friendship.
Miku Sakura: The Girl Behind the Game
Miku is the female protagonist of “I Want to End This Love Game.” She is a vibrant and popular girl. While she willingly participates in the “Love Game” with Yukiya, she secretly harbors feelings for him. However, Miku is hesitant to confess her true emotions, fearing that it might disrupt the balance of their friendship.
The “Love Game”: A Reflection of Real Emotions
The “Love Game” serves as a metaphor for the complexities and uncertainties of young love. While it initially begins as a harmless competition, it gradually evolves into a shield that protects Yukiya and Miku from the vulnerability of confessing their true feelings.
Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Some reviewers have noted similarities between “I Want to End This Love Game” and “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War,” another popular romantic comedy manga. Both series revolve around two protagonists who are in love with each other but refuse to confess their feelings, engaging in elaborate schemes to make the other person confess first.
However, “I Want to End This Love Game” distinguishes itself through its focus on childhood friends and its more realistic portrayal of emotions and dilemmas common in romance. While “Kaguya-sama” often takes things to an extreme, “I Want to End This Love Game” offers a more relatable and believable depiction of young love.
What to Expect from the Anime Adaptation
With the anime adaptation on the horizon, fans can anticipate a faithful adaptation of Yūki Dōmoto’s beloved manga. The anime is expected to capture the humor, heart, and romantic tension of the original story, bringing Yukiya and Miku’s “Love Game” to life on screen.
Viewers can look forward to:
- Charming Animation: The anime is expected to feature vibrant and expressive animation that captures the personalities of the characters and the comedic moments of the story.
- Heartwarming Romance: The anime will likely delve into the emotional complexities of Yukiya and Miku’s relationship, exploring their fears, insecurities, and unspoken desires.
- Hilarious Situations: From Yukiya’s over-the-top romantic gestures to the awkward misunderstandings between the two leads, the anime is sure to deliver plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
- Memorable Soundtrack: A fitting soundtrack will likely enhance the emotional impact of the story, accentuating the romantic and comedic elements of the series.
Final Thoughts
The announcement of the “I Want to End This Love Game” anime adaptation has generated considerable buzz among manga and anime fans. With its charming characters, relatable themes, and heartwarming story, the series has the potential to become a beloved romantic comedy classic. As fans eagerly await further details about the anime, one thing is certain: the “Love Game” is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
