My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, as I Expected

My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU

Company type	Light novel series
Industry	Publishing, Anime, Video games
Founded	March 18, 2011 (2011-03-18)
Founder	Wataru Watari
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Light novels, manga, anime television series, video games

, shortened as and , also referred to as My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, is a Japanese light novel series authored by Wataru Watari with artwork by . The plot revolves around Hachiman Hikigaya, a pragmatic and somewhat cynical teenager who is compelled to join his school's service club. There, he collaborates with two female classmates to support others while facing their own personal struggles.

This franchise features three distinct manga adaptations alongside two anthology collections. It was transformed into an anime television series that aired from April to June 2013, followed by a second season from April to June 2015, and a final third season that ran between July and September 2020. The series extended into the gaming realm with Yahari Game demo Ore no Seishun Rabukome wa Machigatteiru, developed by 5pb. for the PlayStation Vita, released in September 2013; a sequel game appeared in October 2016. Both titles were later compiled for the PlayStation 4 in October 2017 and subsequently for the Nintendo Switch in October 2022. A third installment arrived for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in April 2023.

Plot

The narrative centers on two socially isolated individuals: the pragmatic Hachiman Hikigaya and the striking Yukino Yukinoshita. Despite their contrasting temperaments, they provide assistance to fellow students through their school's Service Club, supported by the upbeat Yui Yuigahama. The story delves into the complex social dynamics encountered by high school students and examines the psychological aspects underlying their interactions.

Main characters

Hachiman is an isolated and skeptical student attending class 2F at Sōbu High School, often shunned due to his detached attitude. This social rejection heightens his awareness of people's superficial behaviors. Disillusioned with youthful idealism because of previous disappointments, he is coerced by a teacher into joining the Service Club to curb his alienation. After saving Yui’s puppy, he suffers injuries in a car accident that keeps him hospitalized for several weeks, further deepening his outsider status. Initially, he distances himself from Yui’s kindness and grows cold toward Yukino after discovering her family’s involvement in the accident; these misunderstandings are eventually cleared up. Conscious of their emotions toward him, he questions their genuineness before ultimately confessing his feelings to Yukino.

Yukino is an intelligent yet aloof student in class 2J who served as the sole president of the Service Club prior to Hachiman’s arrival. Coming from an affluent background, she is admired for both her looks and intellect but often resented by classmates who dub her the "Ice-cold Beauty." At first, she treats Hachiman with indifference but gradually becomes more approachable. Holding the belief that those with ability must lead others, she offers assistance with blunt honesty that can sometimes alienate people. Yui’s consistent warmth helps foster a close friendship between them. Yukino hides her awareness of her family’s role in the accident and feels hurt when Hachiman withdraws upon learning this truth. Over time, she develops romantic feelings for him and accepts his confession, initiating a relationship.

Yui is a lively classmate who initially approaches the Service Club seeking help with baking cookies. Unlike her more cynical peers, she has difficulty expressing herself openly and admires Yukino and Hachiman’s straightforwardness. Originally believing that talent is innate, she gradually adopts Yukino’s viewpoint through their friendship. Although part of Hayato's social group, she often yields to Yumiko's influence. After Hachiman rescues her dog, she develops feelings for him but suppresses them when she realizes his affection lies with Yukino. Despite confessing her feelings and facing rejection, her unresolved emotions remain evident even as Hachiman and Yukino grow closer together.

Class 2F

Saika, who leads the tennis club, presents an androgynous look but insists on being recognized by his correct gender. Female classmates nickname him "The Prince." He enlists Hachiman’s assistance through the Service Club to join the tennis team and enhance his abilities. Among 2F students, Saika is one of the few who calls Hachiman by his given name and often spends time with him socially. Although aware that Saika is male, Hachiman sometimes finds himself drawn to him.

Hayato, a football club star and Yukino’s childhood companion, stands out in 2F for his kindness and willingness to help others. While he comprehends the social compromises Hachiman makes, he disagrees with his approach and finds it difficult to foster a positive rapport with him. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Hayato’s strained dynamic with Yukino remains unresolved. Though well-liked and accomplished, he harbors feelings of inferiority compared to Hachiman.

Yumiko is a prominent and somewhat arrogant girl within 2F, closely aligned with Hayato’s group. She appears to harbor romantic interest in Hayato. Despite her social skills, she shows little compassion toward those struggling socially.

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Hina, a close associate of Yumiko and Yui and member of Hayato’s clique, is an avid Yaoi enthusiast who often disregards others’ personal boundaries when excited. She has a sharp eye for fashion details.

Saki gives off a delinquent impression but yearns for genuine friendships. Secretly working night shifts as a bartender to support her brother and cover school expenses, she ceased working after the Service Club intervened and now aims for a scholarship.

Tobe belongs to Hayato’s circle as a football player and harbors affection for Hina. He uniquely supports her cultural festival script. Planning to confess his feelings during a school trip, he asked the Service Club for help. To avoid rejection that might disrupt their group, Hachiman confessed to Hina on Tobe’s behalf.

Yamato is another member of Hayato’s clique who plays rugby.

Ōoka participates in the baseball club within Hayato’s group.

Minami leads the second most influential clique in 2F and resents Yui for joining a more dominant faction. During the cultural festival, she volunteered as event organizer despite lacking experience, necessitating assistance from the Service Club. Yukino’s efficient leadership overshadowed her efforts, causing insecurity. When Minami declined to host the closing ceremony, Hachiman absorbed criticism himself, allowing her to regain confidence and successfully complete the event.

Others

Iroha is an energetic first-year student managing the football team who was jokingly nominated for student council president. Uninterested in the position, she sought help from the Service Club to gracefully avoid election. Persuaded by Hachiman, she ultimately accepted the role. She once had feelings for Hayato but was turned down. A recurring joke involves her misinterpreting Hachiman’s behavior as flirtation and rejecting him.

Shizuka serves as Hachiman’s language teacher and advisor for the Service Club, assigning him there to alleviate his social isolation. Despite her official role, she displays quirky habits such as smoking and referencing Shōnen manga. She frequently enters the clubroom without warning, much to Yukino’s annoyance. Following the cultural festival, she cautions Hachiman that his self-sacrificing tendencies harm those who care about him.

Komachi, Hachiman’s lively younger sister and member of the student council, understands his antisocial tendencies and offers support. She cleverly tries to match him with Yukino or Yui.

Haruno is Yukino’s older sister and a manipulative college student who often meddles in her sister’s affairs. Outwardly charming yet calculating, she provokes both Yukino and Hachiman while feigning amusement. A former Sōbu High student herself, she recognizes Hachiman’s perceptiveness and taunts him with backhanded compliments. Her status allows her disruptive actions—such as sabotaging the Cultural Festival—forcing Hachiman to compensate and become a scapegoat. Yui confronts her to put an end to this interference.

Yoshiteru is a 2C classmate exhibiting adolescent fantasies who befriends Hachiman during physical education classes. Though somewhat bothersome, he belongs to an otaku circle and aspires to become a light novel author.

Rumi is an isolated elementary school student shunned by classmates. Hayato’s initial attempt to assist backfired by increasing hostility toward her. The group later staged an intervention during a treasure hunt using Hayato and Kakeru as fake bullies to break down peer mistrust. Rumi used her camera flash to distract aggressors and escape.

Meguri is a third-year student and former president of Sōbu High’s student council who lacks strong leadership skills but unites members through her personality.

Taishi is Saki’s younger brother and Komachi’s classmate; he maintains good relations with Komachi and worries about Saki’s late-night work shifts.

Kaori attended middle school with Hachiman; he once confessed his feelings to her. She now studies at Kaihin General High School.

Chika is Kaori’s friend at Kaihin General High School who shows interest in Hayato.

Tamanawa holds the position of student council president at Kaihin High School.

Mrs. Yukinoshita

Mother of Haruno and Yukino; concerned about Yukino living alone, she has Haruno keep watch over her. She expresses disappointment upon finding Yukino out late after a student council event.

Mrs. Yuigahama

Yui’s mother shares a close bond with her daughter—a relationship envied by Yukino.

Light novels

The light novel collection, authored by Wataru Watari with illustrations by Ponkan 8, was published by Shogakukan through the Gagaga Bunko label. The inaugural volume was released on March 18, 2011, and the series reached its conclusion with the 14th volume on November 19, 2019.

Special editions of volumes four and eight included art books created by Ponkan 8 alongside guest artists. A compilation of short stories, designated as volume 7.5, came out on August 20, 2013. Additional shorter installments (6.25, 6.50, and 6.75) were packaged with limited editions of the initial anime series' DVD/Blu-ray releases and later consolidated into volume 6.5, published on July 22, 2014. Other short story collections consist of volumes 10.5 (released March 18, 2015) and 14.5 (issued April 20, 2021).

The series was licensed for English publication by Yen Press, which released it between September 27, 2016, and October 18, 2022.

Drama CDs

A drama CD, titled , accompanied the special edition of the third light novel on November 18, 2011. This CD features a character song called "Bright Generation," performed by Yukino Yokinoshita (Saori Hayami) and Yui Yuigahama (Nao Tōyama), with music composed by Yukari Hashimoto. The second drama CD, , was available at Marvelous AQL's booth during Comiket 83 in December 2012.

The third drama CD, , was included with the special edition of volume seven on March 19, 2013. It contains the character song "Rock You!!" performed by Hayami and Tōyama, composed and arranged by Yūya Saitō. The fourth drama CD, , came bundled with volume 6.5's special edition on July 22, 2014, featuring another character song sung by Hayami and Tōyama.

Manga

The initial manga adaptation, illustrated by Rechi Kazuki and titled , ran in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan from September 25, 2012, until April 25, 2023. Its chapters were collected into twenty-two volumes released between March 19, 2013, and July 25, 2023.

A second manga series titled , drawn by Naomichi Io, was serialized in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X from December 19, 2012, through February 17, 2023. Twenty-two volumes were published between May 17, 2013, and April 18, 2023. This series holds an English license from Yen Press.

Additionally, a 4-panel manga named , created by Yūta Taneda, appeared in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-koma Palette, starting with a preview on March 22, 2013, followed by its first full chapter on April 22. The series ended on June 22, 2015, with its chapters compiled into two volumes. Furthermore, Ichijinsha published two anthology volumes featuring various contributors under DNA Media Comics on May 25 and July 25, 2013.

Anime

The anime adaptation consists of a 13-episode television series directed by Ai Yoshimura and produced by Brain's Base, which originally aired between April 5 and June 21, 2013. An additional episode exclusive to the anime was broadcast on June 27, 2013. The series was simulcast internationally with English subtitles via Crunchyroll. An original video animation (OVA) episode was included with the limited edition of the video game released on September 19, 2013. The opening theme song is performed by Nagi Yanagi, while the ending theme, "Hello Alone," features vocals by Saori Hayami and Nao Tōyama. Distribution rights for North America were acquired by Sentai Filmworks, and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment.

The second season, titled Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru Zoku, was produced by Feel and directed by Kei Oikawa. It aired from April 3 to June 26, 2015. Character designs were created by Yuichi Tanaka, with series composition handled by Shōtarō Suga. The opening theme was again performed by Yanagi, and the ending theme featured Hayami and Tōyama. Sentai Filmworks secured licensing for this season as well. An OVA episode accompanied the limited edition of the second video game, released on October 27, 2016.

The third and concluding season, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru Kan, was announced in March 2019. Feel returned as the animation studio, with Kei Oikawa directing; however, Keiichirō Ōchi replaced Suga as series composer, while Tanaka resumed his role as character designer. Initially scheduled to premiere on April 9, 2020, its release was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually aired from July 9 to September 24, 2020. The opening theme "Megumi no Ame" (芽ぐみの雨) was performed by Yanagi, and the ending theme featured Hayami alongside Tōyama. Sentai Filmworks holds global licensing rights outside Asia; within Southeast Asia, Medialink licensed the series, making it available on iQIYI. This season comprised 12 episodes. Additionally, an OVA episode adapting bonus light novel content was included with the limited edition of the third video game released on April 27, 2023.

In April 2019, Sentai Filmworks confirmed plans for an English dub of the series; by July of that year, English dubs for both the first and second seasons had been announced. Following Sony Pictures Television's acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU was removed from Crunchyroll's platform on March 31, 2022.

To commemorate the anime’s tenth anniversary in June 2023, a new track performed by Yanagi was unveiled.

Video games

The franchise expanded into gaming with a PlayStation Vita title named , published by 5pb. and released on September 19, 2013. Voice actors Takuya Eguchi, Saori Hayami, and Nao Tōyama reprised their roles from the anime. The limited edition version of this game included an exclusive OVA episode. A second PlayStation Vita game adapting the anime’s second season was developed by 5pb., initially slated for July 28 but postponed until October 27, 2016; its limited edition also contained an OVA episode. Both games were later packaged together for PlayStation 4 release on October 26, 2017. A port for the Nintendo Switch was launched on September 22, 2022. The third game in the series by 5pb., based on the anime’s third season, debuted in Japan for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on April 27, 2023; its limited edition similarly featured an OVA episode.

Reception

As of January 2020, the light novel series had surpassed 10 million copies distributed. The title My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, as I Expected earned the distinction of being Japan's top light novel according to the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook in consecutive years: 2014, 2015, and 2016.

External links

• Official website for the light novel
• Official anime website
• Official site for the video game