I Want to End This Love Game
| I Want to End This Love Game | |
![]() First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Yukiya Asagi (left) and Miku Sakura (right) | |
| 愛してるゲームを終わらせたい (Aishiteru Gēmu o Owarasetai) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy[1] |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Yuki Domoto |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Shōnen Sunday Comics Special |
| Magazine | Sunday Webry |
| Original run | December 24, 2021 – present |
| Volumes | 9 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Azuma Tani |
| Written by | Keiichirō Ōchi |
| Music by | Akito Matsuda |
| Studio | Felix Film |
| Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, MBS, BS Asahi |
| Original run | April 14, 2026 – June 30, 2026 |
| Episodes | 12 |
I Want to End This Love Game (Japanese: 愛してるゲームを終わらせたい, Hepburn: Aishiteru Gēmu o Owarasetai) is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Domoto. It has been serialized on Shogakukan's online platform Sunday Webry since December 2021. An anime television series adaptation produced by Felix Film aired from April to June 2026.
Plot
Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura are childhood friends that began a game when they were in the sixth grade, in which they both must say "I love you" to each other, with the one who gets flustered losing. Four years later and the game has continued even in high school. Though they continuously say "I love you" to each other for fun, the two have secretly developed feelings for each other, but both fear it may be too late for them to confess.
Characters
- Yukiya Asagi (浅葱 優希也, Asagi Yukiya)
- Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa[2] (Japanese); Nicholas Markgraf, Rachel Glass (young)[3] (English)
- A usually stoic, but secretly caring, high school boy, and Miku's childhood friend; the two have been close for a long time. Like Miku, he has had a deep crush on her since they were children, but he constantly becomes irritated by Miku beating him in their game. Eventually, he confesses to her for real and they begin dating.
- Miku Sakura (桜 みく, Sakura Miku)
- Voiced by: Miku Itō[2] (Japanese); Giovannie Cruz, Nia Celeste (young)[3] (English)
- A popular and playful high school girl, and Yukiya's childhood friend. She has had feelings for him since they were children and is fond of teasing him when they do their love game. She also confesses to him for real and becomes his girlfriend.
- Wakana Asagi (浅葱 若菜, Asagi Wakana)
- Voiced by: Wakana Maruoka[4] (Japanese); Rebecca Danae[3] (English)
- Masaru Shinonome (東雲 匡琉, Shinonome Masaru)
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu[4] (Japanese); Ian Sinclair[3] (English)
- Hinako Hanaba (花葉 雛子, Hanaba Hinako)
- Voiced by: Yui Ogura[4] (Japanese); Sara Ragsdale[3] (English)
- Natsuki Moegi (萌木 菜月, Moegi Natsuki)
- Voiced by: Kaede Hondo[4]
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Yuki Domoto, I Want to End This Love Game began serialization in Shogakukan's online platform Sunday Webry on December 24, 2021.[1] Shogakukan has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on April 12, 2022.[5] As of June 12, 2026, nine volumes have been released.
In June 2023, Viz Media announced that they had licensed the manga for an English release in North America, releasing the first English volume in February 2024.[6]
Volumes
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 12, 2022[7] | 978-4-09-851047-4 | February 13, 2024[8] | 978-1-9747-4276-9 | |
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| 2 | August 12, 2022[9] | 978-4-09-851220-1 | May 14, 2024[10] | 978-1-9747-4553-1 | |
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| 3 | December 12, 2022[11] | 978-4-09-851525-7 | August 13, 2024[12] | 978-1-9747-4627-9 | |
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| 4 | May 12, 2023[13] | 978-4-09-852059-6 | November 12, 2024[14] | 978-1-9747-4925-6 | |
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| 5 | December 12, 2023[15] | 978-4-09-853053-3 | February 11, 2025[16] | 978-1-9747-5184-6 | |
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| 6 | April 10, 2024[17] | 978-4-09-853254-4 | May 13, 2025[18] | 978-1-9747-5483-0 | |
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| 7 | June 18, 2025[19] | 978-4-09-854124-9 | July 14, 2026[20] | 978-1-9747-5552-3 | |
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| 8 | April 10, 2026[21] | 978-4-09-854509-4 | — | — | |
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| 9 | June 11, 2026[22] | 978-4-09-854643-5 | — | — | |
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Anime
In June 2025, it was announced that the manga would receive an anime television series adaptation.[23][24] It was produced by Felix Film and directed by Azuma Tani, with series composition and screenplays handled by Keiichirō Ōchi, characters designed by Yūki Fukuchi, and music composed by Akito Matsuda. It was broadcast for 12 episodes from April 14 to June 30, 2026, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[2][4] The opening theme song is "Kimi no Sei de Aishiteru" (君のせいで愛してる; lit. 'It's Your Fault that I Love You'), performed by CHiCO with HoneyWorks, and the ending theme song is "Little World" (リトルワールド, Ritoru Wārudo), performed by Pompadolls.[4] Crunchyroll is streaming the series.[25]
Episodes
| No. | Title [26][27] | Directed by [a] | Written by [a] | Storyboarded by [a] | Original release date [28] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "My Childhood Friend Refuses to Accept Defeat" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Maketakunai" (Japanese: 幼なじみは負けたくない) | Azuma Tani | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | April 14, 2026 |
| 2 | "My Childhood Friend Cooks" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Ryōri suru" (Japanese: 幼なじみは料理する) | Kiyoshi Murayama | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | April 21, 2026 |
| 3 | "Childhood Friend Seduction" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Sasoi o Kakeru" (Japanese: 幼なじみは誘いをかける) | Azuma Tani | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | April 28, 2026 |
| 4 | "My Childhood Friend Will Do Anything" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Nandemo suru" (Japanese: 幼なじみはなんでもする) | Kanta Shiba | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | May 5, 2026 |
| 5 | "My Childhood Friend Comes in the Morning" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Asa ni Kuru" (Japanese: 幼なじみは朝に来る) | Yasuhira Kido | Mie Kaga | Azuma Tani | May 12, 2026 |
| 6 | "My Childhood Friend Wants to Sleep Over" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Tomaritai" (Japanese: 幼なじみは泊まりたい) | Daishō Miyagi | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | May 19, 2026 |
| 7 | "My Childhood Friend Wants to Win" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Shōbu o Kimetai" (Japanese: 幼なじみは勝負を決めたい) | Azuma Tani | Mie Kaga | Azuma Tani | May 26, 2026 |
| 8 | "My Childhood Friend and the Student Council President" Transliteration: "Osananajimi to Seito Kaichō" (Japanese: 幼なじみと生徒会長) | Kanta Shiba | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | June 2, 2026 |
| 9 | "My Childhood Friend Becomes My Apprentice?" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Shitei ni Naru?" (Japanese: 幼なじみは師弟になる?) | Akesada Kanikubo | Mie Kaga | Azuma Tani | June 9, 2026 |
| 10 | "My Childhood Friend Is Unstoppable" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Tomerarenai" (Japanese: 幼なじみは止められない) | Weilun Shi | Mie Kaga | Azuma Tani | June 16, 2026 |
| 11 | "My Childhood Friend Embraces Me" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Dakishimeru" (Japanese: 幼なじみは抱きしめる) | Mineya Mori | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | June 23, 2026 |
| 12 | "My Childhood Friend is Girly" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Otome Desu kara" (Japanese: 幼なじみは乙女ですから) | Azuma Tani | Keiichirō Ōchi | Azuma Tani | June 30, 2026 |
Reception
The series was nominated for the 2022 Next Manga Award in the web manga category;[29] it ranked 12th in the 2023 edition in the same category.[30]
Notes
References
- 1 2 照れたら負け、両片思いの幼なじみラブコメ新連載「愛してるゲームを終わらせたい」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 24, 2021. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 1, 2025). "I Want to End This Love Game TV Anime Reveals Main Cast, Staff, April 2026 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dempsey, Liam (April 27, 2026). "I Want to End this Love Game English Dub Reveals Release Date, Cast and Crew". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cayanan, Joanna (March 9, 2026). "I Want to End This Love Game Anime Reveals More Cast, Staff, Theme Song Artists, April 14 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 9, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ 両片思いの幼なじみが"愛してるゲーム"に翻弄される恋愛物語、堂本裕貴が描く1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 12, 2022. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 10, 2023). "Viz Reveals 18 New Releases for Spring 2024 Including Tokyo These Days, Gokurakugai, Snowball Earth Manga, More". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ 【4月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 12, 2022. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ Mateo, Alex (February 15, 2024). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 11–17". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ↑ 【8月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ Mateo, Alex (May 15, 2024). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 12–18". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ↑ 【12月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ "I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ↑ 【5月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 12, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ "I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ↑ 【12月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ↑ "I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ↑ 【4月10日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 10, 2024. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ↑ "I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 6". Viz Media. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ↑ 【6月18日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 18, 2025. Archived from the original on April 23, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ↑ "I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 7". Viz Media. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ↑ 【2026年4月10日】本日発売のマンガ単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 10, 2026. Archived from the original on April 28, 2026. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ 【2026年6月11日】本日発売のマンガ単行本リスト 「新九郎、奔る!」23巻ほか. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 11, 2026. Archived from the original on June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
- ↑ 堂本裕貴「愛してるゲームを終わらせたい」TVアニメ化、幼なじみの両片思いラブコメ. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 12, 2025. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 12, 2025). "Yūki Dōmoto's I Want to End This Love Game Manga Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ↑ Mateo, Alex (March 24, 2026). "Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Spring 2026 Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 24, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Story". aishiteru-game.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Watch I Want to End this Love Game". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ 愛してるゲームを終わらせたい(アニメ)のあらすじ一覧. The Television (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ Morrissy, Kim (June 23, 2022). "Voting Opens for Next Manga Awards 2022". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ↑ 次にくるマンガ大賞2023、コミックス部門1位はむちまろ「生徒会にも穴はある!」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
External links
- Official manga website at Sunday Webry (in Japanese)
- Official anime website (in Japanese)
- I Want to End This Love Game (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
