Shomin Sample
| Company type | Light novel series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Entertainment |
| Founded | December 2011 |
| Founder | Takafumi Nanatsuki |
| Products | Light novels, manga, anime, drama CD |
| Parent | Ichijinsha |
is a Japanese light novel series authored by Takafumi Nanatsuki, with publication by Ichijinsha commencing in December 2011 and totaling eleven volumes to date. The narrative was adapted into a manga serialized in Ichijinsha's Comic Rex magazine beginning July 2012, followed by the release of a drama CD in February 2013. The plot follows Kimito Kagurazaka, an ordinary high schooler who is abducted and enrolled in an exclusive academy for elite young women.
An anime television series adaptation, produced by Silver Link, aired from October through December 2015. The English distribution rights for home video and streaming are held by Crunchyroll.
Plot
Kimito Kagurazaka, a typical high school student, is forcibly admitted to Seikain, an elite all-girls institution where noble young women are secluded to maintain their purity. This seclusion often results in difficulties for graduates adjusting to society afterward. To mitigate this issue, the school abducts Kimito, a male commoner, hoping his presence will gradually introduce the girls to real-world experiences. The administration erroneously assumes Kimito is gay with an interest in muscular men, deeming him harmless to the girls' virtue. Under threat of severe repercussions if this assumption proves false, Kimito complies with the arrangement. Soon after joining, he encounters Aika Tenkūbashi, a reserved yet somewhat pretentious student intrigued by life beyond the academy.
Characters
- Abducted and enrolled at Seikain, Kimito quickly perceives the students' detachment from reality. His informal orientation speech surprises the girls, and his "commoner" background becomes instrumental in helping them adapt. The school falsely asserts his homosexuality to protect the students' innocence. His dorm room is arranged to replicate his home bedroom and serves as a central location for interactions, particularly with Aika. As events unfold, childhood recollections emerge, enriching his relationships despite ongoing romantic complexities.
- A shy and innocent student captivated by commoner culture such as PSPs, ramen, and manga. She requests Kimito's guidance about the outside world and establishes the Commoner Club with him as its leader. Aika develops romantic feelings for Kimito rooted in shared childhood memories. Following her family’s financial collapse leading to her expulsion, she temporarily resides with Kimito’s family. Her father's appointment as chairman facilitates her return to Seikain. Ultimately, she and Kimito confess mutual feelings and begin dating.
- Recognized as courteous and cheerful, Reiko quickly develops affection for Kimito due to his efforts in teaching commoner customs. She exhibits pronounced personality shifts during conflicts involving Aika but resolves disputes amicably. Reiko joins the Commoner Club to remain close to Kimito and competes for his romantic attention.
- A 14-year-old prodigy in engineering and sciences who was socially withdrawn until forming a bond with Kimito. Often mistaken for younger because of her appearance, Hakua frequently records innovative ideas on walls. Her family owns a cellular phone company. Her maids often place her in intimate scenarios with Kimito.
- Descended from samurai lineage, she carries a katana and suffers from an intense fear of insects that causes accidental destruction. After being defeated by Kimito, she pledges loyalty and secretly harbors romantic feelings disguised by aggressive behavior. She also shows attraction toward Hakua.
- Kimito's personal maid who maintains strict discipline while secretly caring for him. She shares a childhood connection with Kimito involving identity swapping with her brother Itsuki that caused memory loss on Kimito’s part until recent dreams revived those memories.
- Kimito’s childhood friend and idol voice actress who claims to be his girlfriend and resents his transfer to Seikain. After experiencing bullying due to her distinctive voice, Kimito encouraged her career ambitions. She falsely labeled him homosexual to keep him close, indirectly triggering his enrollment at Seikain. Later she becomes another commoner subject aiming to bring him back.
- Hakua's maid who chronicles her activities and supports leaving Hakua under Kimito's care. In an extra chapter, she appears as Kimito’s imagined spouse.
- Principal of Seikain Girls Academy.
- Reiko's personal maid.
- Masaomi and Reiko's mother.
- Reiko's protective elder brother who opposes her arranged marriage and seeks assistance from Kimito.
- A friend of Reiko.
- A friend of Reiko.
- A friend of Reiko.
- Collaborates with Eri on multiple projects.
Light novel
The light novel series Shomin Sample was published by Ichijinsha from November 11, 2011, until July 20, 2016. The complete title is , often abbreviated as Shomin Sample. Under the Ichijinsha Bunko label, a total of eleven main volumes and one volume of short stories were issued.
Manga
A manga version, illustrated by Risumait, appeared in Comic Rex between May 27, 2012, and September 27, 2018. Ichijinsha released fifteen compiled volumes of this adaptation. For the North American market, Seven Seas Entertainment acquired the license and published the series from 2016 through 2021. Additionally, a spinoff manga named Shomin Sample: I Was Spun Off by an Elite All-Girls School as a Sample Commoner was serialized in Comic Rex, culminating in two collected volumes released between January and July 2016. The title cleverly substitutes the Japanese term for "abducted" with "spunoff," playing on the concept of a spinoff.
Anime
The anime television adaptation consists of twelve episodes and was directed by Masato Jinbo, with production by studio Silver Link. It aired in Japan from October 7 to December 23, 2015. Licensing for North American distribution was handled by Funimation, while Madman Entertainment managed rights in Australia. Funimation began streaming English-dubbed episodes on November 11, 2015, as part of its Broadcast Dubs program. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Anime Limited distributes the series on behalf of Funimation.
Reception
Ichijinsha revealed that Takafumi Nanatsuki's light novel Ore ga Ojō-sama Gakkō ni "Shomin Sample" Toshite Rachirareta Ken is set to receive an anime adaptation. The series, which started in November 2011, comprises eight volumes, with a special edition of volume seven featuring a drama CD. Character designs were crafted by Gekka Urū, while Risumai's manga adaptation continues serialization in Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Rex. The fifth volume of the manga is slated for release in Japan on July 18.